4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days

This is a remarkable film - it's Romanian; set in 1987, during the dying embers of the Ceausescu regime. Everyone lives sparse, threadbare lives; struggling to retrieve some kind of dignity from their desolate surroundings. It takes place over one afternoon and evening

It's centred around two students; one of them (Gabila) is pregnant (by exactly the length of time in the title) and they attempt to obtain an illegal abortion. The pregnant one catanically passive, pretty clueless,and somewhat manipulative; the other one, (Otilia) fortunately, is energetic, feisty and determined, and the film revolves around her. It's her job to find an illegal abortionist, escort him to a hotel room where Gabila is waiting, get the money together and dispose of the foetus; she is however, faced with a major obstacle; her promise to her boyfriend to attend his mother's birthday party, at which all the family will be present. She turns up, but is so preoccupied with her friend's predicament that she barely notices what's happening, and rushes out, to her boyfriend's bewilderment. The scene in which she hurtles through the dark, ill-lit, empty back streets is unforgettable. She's a wonderful character, and her presence makes a film which could have been grim, somehow uplifting and life-affirming.
Each scene is shot in long takes, often with dialogue delivered off-screen. This is strangely compelling and I found myself riveted throughout. I didn't lose concentration for a moment; it was impossible.