Occident

Evoking the spirit of Krzysztof Kieślowski in its delicately interconnected tale of chance, coincidence, and longing, Cristian Mungiu’s ambitious debut feature ingeniously constructs – and deconstructs – the illusory allure of the West as experienced by Romanians in the post-Communist era. The three interlocking chapters begin with an underemployed man who tries to win back his girlfriend’s affections after being evicted from their apartment. Punctuated by encounters with a French Samaritan, a wealthy black Italian, and a down-and-out Romanian girl, his quixotic quest becomes intricately tied to the ephemeral pursuit of an idealised West, where destiny lies in its sad divergence from hope.

Cannes Directors' Fortnight