California Dreamin'

Based on a true story, this Romanian movie is set in the remote and depressing village of Capalnita. A train of American soldiers travelling with NATO equipment to the war in Kosovo is quite literally stopped in its tracks by the village station master, Doiaru (Vasilescu). Led by Assante's captain, the soldiers are refused passage as they don't have the documentation papers Doiaru wants; despite being corrupt and involved in stealing goods from trains he cannot be bribed on this one, leaving the American troops held up in the village for five intense and amusing days. What ensues for the soldiers would be akin to spending a week with Borat's Romanian cousins. It will make you laugh but that will soon subside as you feel the empty meaning of American promises. Winner of the prestigious Cannes award, Un Certain Regard, in 2007, this movie, which tragically saw the death of Nemescu during post-production, is a must see. [Iain Robertson]