In the history of Romanian cinema, Sergiu Nicolaescu's name stands for "prolific, highly commercial and professional". At the age of 80, the director launched his latest production, which is also his second comedy in a long row of action and historic films. "Poker" is a cinema adaptation of Adrian Lustig's theatre play with the same name, and focuses on four male friends, representatives for the social canvas: a doctor without a moral conscience, an unscrupulous politician, a chief of the local mafia, and a businessman who made a fortune in America. Made by MediaPro Pictures, 'Poker' looks at immorality and intrigues in politics, hinting at the fact that contemporary Romania is a day to day jungle where strings are pulled by those in power, so everything turns into a poker round, where those who have the right aces in their sleeve can win.
Acting
Romanian theatre legends chewing scenery like it's their last meal.
Writing
Stage play origins mean dialogue cuts like a switchblade.
Director
Sergiu Nicolaescu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Nicolaescu was basically Romania's Spielberg-meets-Eastwood, so this late-career pivot to social satire hit like a betrayal to action fans.
The poker metaphor isn't subtle—it's literally the title—but the film weaponizes Romanian audiences' lived experience with systemic corruption.
RO
