The original Twitter beef, but with more suits and actual consequences.
Geared more for the home crowd with a good knowledge of their own history, this Romanian political comedy takes place at the turn of the 20th century, when two opposing factions are going at each other tooth and nail to win an election. One candidate is a staunch if not deluded conservative and the other is a radical liberal. Anticipating modern election campaigns by a good half a century, the two candidates decide that the best way to win is to sling as much mud as possible. Lacking the Internet and fifteen-second TV spots, they do the best they can -- they send each other virulent telegrams denouncing each other's personal failings.
Acting
Grigore Vasiliu-Birlic's theatrical, expressive physical comedy.
Writing
Dialogue so sharp it transcends its specific historical moment.
Director
Gheorghe Naghi
Grigore Vasiliu-Birlic
Costachel Gudurau
Costache Antoniu
Avocatul statului
Jules Cazaban
Iordachel Gudurau
Alexandru Giugaru
Procurarul
Nicky Atanasiu
Raul Grigorascu
Marcel Anghelescu
Popic
Ștefan Ciubotărașu
Cafegiul
Carmen Stănescu
Atenaisa Perjoiu
Mircea Șeptilici
Ministrul Justitiei
Florin Vasiliu
Turturel
Horia Șerbănescu
şeful de cabinet al Primului ministru
Draga Olteanu Matei
Coca Andronescu
Fiica procurorului
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during Romania's communist period, the film cleverly criticized electoral corruption while appearing to mock pre-revolutionary bourgeois politics—surviving censorship through historical displacement.
Director Aurel Miheleș was blacklisted in 1959; this was his comeback film, making its cynical view of political machinery deeply personal.
RO
