The Other Irene

Description: When the camera pulls back at the end of this well crafted drama, I had a lot of questions and all remained unanswered. Very, very un-Hollywood. There was nothing to feel good about, in this film but I guaranty that your emotions will be stirred to the max. I will not go into the story because I encourage you to get hold of this gem of a film and watch it. I was lucky to see it at SEE Fest 2010 in Los Angeles in May. The central character is Aurel, played impeccably by Andy Vasluianu, a young and prolific TV and Film actor since the year 2000. Almost emotionless, tacit, gentle, sincere and painfully understanding. Mr. Vasluianu carries this dark drama eloquently till the last frame. He also played Aurel in "The Paper Will Be Blue" another great Romanian film by Radu Muntean. The story is set in post communist Romania, where at every step, you can see bureaucrats on parade; indifferent and sloppy. Metaphorically speaking, it is written on their forehead: "I am just doing my job" or "Do not ask for compassion". First time director, Andrei Gruzsniczki is part of the new generation of filmmakers who have "a lot" to say about contemporary life in Romania. Young, talented and promising, Mr. Gruzsniczki treats every scene with dignity and creates a matter-of-fact atmosphere that you almost forget, you are in a move theater watching a film.