In the early 19th century the Romanian Theodor Diamant was inspired by the French utopian socialist Charles Fourier and established one of Fourier's "phalansteries" in Rumania. The film dramatizes the origins and demise of this effort, called the "Scaieni Phalanstery (the term is derived from "phalanx" and "monastery"). Among the socio-political commentary that is conveyed throughout, there is an important collusion between the army and the wealthy landowners of the time, and as the film points out in its own way, neither of these groups has ever been convicted of socialist/utopian tendencies.
Direction
Știopul's unflinching gaze at idealism's corpse.
Production
Painfully authentic 19th-century Romanian squalor.
Acting
Pintea's Diamant: convinced, convincing, doomed.
Director
Savel Știopul
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made during Ceaușescu's most paranoid period, the film's critique of failed utopias carried dangerous double meanings for Romanian audiences.
The real Scăieni Phalanstery lasted roughly one year (1835-1836) before soldiers dispersed it; Diamant died in exile, still writing manifestos.
RO
