4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days (2007)

Director: Cristian Mungiu

1980s Romania: Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) helps her friend Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) arrange to have an illegal abortion. An unflinching, relentlessly bleak film, the Palme d'Or-winning 4 Months... is also utterly engrossing - without sensationalising its subject. Writer/director Mungiu nails human interaction brilliantly, and his formal approach - an unshowy, subdued series of long takes - allows the superb cast ample room to display their considerable talents. Marinca is excellent in the demanding central role.

It comes as little surprise to discover that the cinematographer (Oleg Mutu) also worked on Cristi Piui's The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, since the films noticeably share their look and feel. There are strong similarities in content too; Otilia's desperate struggle to obtain assistance from the hotel receptionists, for example, recalls Mioara's encounters with the hospital staff. Each instance makes for a remarkable portrayal of social breakdown.