Original subtitles

Aren't you getting off?

- Where are you from? - From Fântânele.

- Who are your parents? - Costică Buran.

- And where are you going? - to Aunt Lucreția.

Come, then.

I ran away from home like a thief.

There's no place my poor parents didn't search for me.

Poor Auntie Lucreția had to go calm them down.

For a while, I didn't go home, until my parents got over it.

Hello?

Oh, it's you!

I'm well.

I didn't hear it ring and by then you'd already hung up.

What about you, how are you?

He's tending to his fowls on Mondays.

Are you doing OK at work?

You're coming?

Well, you're the one who has to like him, sweetie.

When are you coming?

OK, bye!

When I told Țucu that I wanted to name her Alice,

he looked at me like I was crazy.

He wanted a regular name, one you'd hear at the hairdresser's.

I AM AN OLD COMMUNIST HAG

- Cheers! - Cheers, Mr. Țucu!

Do you have two cups?

Descovina?

You've never had this one before, it's from my own supply.

I'll have some apples from your personal supply.

Mr. Țucu...

What do you think? Are we a Republic?

Aren't we currently a Republic?

- Well, not really. - What do you mean?

- Since do we have a Republic? - Well, since when?

Since the Russians came in with their tanks.

Yeah, because before that we had a King.

So, is 60 years enough to be considered a Republic?

- How many years then? - At least 200.

- Hello, how are you?

- How are you? - Good, is the family coming over?

- No, later. - Later? We're saving money.

Listen, got anything for mosquitoes?

Oh, mosquitoes! I have something.

No mosquitoes, no flies. "Everything runs."

Goat meat. It's very good.

The production of the film "Life in Communism" is hiring extras.

Find out more at the Decebal hotel, between 8 AM and 6 PM.

A little late, Mr. Țucu.

How are you doing, boys? I'll join you shortly.

Six-four ‘like the stage floor'.

How's it going, Mr. Pirpiliu?

- Cat got your tongue? - Ah, you're on your schedule.

- Hasn't anyone said a kind word to you today? - Cheers!

Come over, Mr. Pirpiliu!

Roll the dice already.

- Alice called, she's coming in ten days. - Really?

Yes, and she's bringing her boyfriend, Alin, so we can meet him.

- He's coming too? - Yes, she said so.

- And when are they coming? - In ten days.

What are these?

They're doing a movie on Ceaușescu and I thought you might be interested.

Weren't you going to shake his hand? Ceaușescu?

Let me see what you got.

- Eggs. These are from my sister.

They grew nicely this year.

Yes, at the market.

What market? I picked them myself.

- And what's that? - Check it out.

It's a mosquito repellent.

Look...

You put a tablet in here…

And then you plug it in.

The production of the film "Life in Communism" is hiring extras.

Find out more at the Decebal hotel, between 8 AM and 6 PM.

We await you!

You know, Țucu...

Our apartment block looks like crap.

It hasn't been touched since the day it was built.

It should be power washed to hide how dirty it is.

What will that man say when he sees us like this?

Who?

Alice's boyfriend.

Well, we can't build a new one by the time they arrive.

At least the main hallway. It's shameful.

What if he's black?

Who?

The young man.

Your have nothing but silly thoughts.

Let go.

Sleep tight.

Do you know where the rubbing alcohol is?

It's there, look harder.

I told you to stop using my shaver!

Come drink your tea. It's getting cold.

3,000 to 4,000 lei at best.

- I think you should sell the car. - Who the hell would buy it?

Aren't there those ads on TV?

Yeah, but you need to buy a new one.

What about… the "Friendship Fund"?

It's gone.

But why do you need so much?

Well, a new TV... We've had this one for ages.

A hairdresser appointment, new paint for the hallway, plus food.

We should be thankful if we manage to do it with 30.

I can get you cheese and eggs.

Can you serve cheese and eggs three times a day?

What the hell do we do?

Can't your sister, Catrina, lend us some money?

Her son is building a house.

Ask Sanda.

It's boiling hot in here, you can't do without a fan.

I'll leave it here and you can pay me later.

That's the last thing I need!

I'm desperately looking for money for my daughter's visit, and you…

Exactly, your daughter's coming from the States, where

even bathrooms have ACs.

I'll leave you this for the bathroom and this one for the living room.

This one's incredible, look.

- It even hydrates you. - Stop, you've made me all wet.

Well, it hydrates you, sis.

And when you get two of these, you get this extra massaging device.

It's perfect for cox-arthritis, for spondylosis... check it out.

It's good for your back.

Oh! There's also this device.

Look, with this device, you walk around the house and

by moving the dolphin across your skin, it breaks down all your cellulite.

- Cellulite? But I eat very little. - It's not about how much you eat,

it's about how your body absorbs it. I don't eat much either.

Look, this one…

No, I'll leave you these two if you want.

This one and the massaging device. You can pay me later.

Don't you get that I need 3,000 lei so I don't embarrass myself?

And you're pestering me with with all of these gadgets.

Won't Aurelia lend me some money?

I don't think she has. You can ask...

But I doubt it because she's not doing well.

I'll lend you some money.

Let me see how much I have.

Careful, you need to get organic food. Don't just get anything.

It's more expensive, but that's what's popular over there.

2, 3, 4, 5…

I was supposed to give them to a wholesaler but I'll figure it out.

Thank you.

And I'll also leave you these two fans.

No, no. I don't need them.

You can pay me later.

No need. You've lent me money, it's enough, thank you.

- Whatcha doing there, Maricica? - Hello!

Do you have any cornflour?

- Isn't it too small to eat that? - No, it sure can eat it.

- Wait here. - I'll wait. Thank you!

Give me a bag of cornflour.

- Which kind? - Whichever.

If you keep drinking we won't be able to go outside anymore in this mess.

We drink on our own money, lady. What's your problem?

- Here you go, Maricica. - Thank you.

- When I get my pension… - God bless you!

- Hello!

- Hello! - Forgive me!

I've called a few times but the line was busy.

- Yes, come in, please. - Thank you.

I have some old fabric for a dress.

Alice is coming over with her fiancee.

I'd like for you to make me something nice to wear.

Yes, but… I don't really tailor anymore.

My sight isn't as good anymore.

But, please, come in.

- Would you like some tea, water? - Water.

Yes, of course.

- I haven't seen you in a long time. - Yes…

- I've been at the courthouse lately. - Why?

To get back the building where my dad had his tailor workshop.

- How's Alice? - She's well, I'm waiting for her.

I miss her so much. I'd like to see her.

She was right to leave.

- You think so? - Yes.

The way I know her… It would've been very hard for her here.

If I were her age…

I would've done the same, without thinking twice.

But why, Ms. Stroescu?

Because I'm sick of communism.

It destroyed my life.

I wanted to be a painter, but I couldn't due to a bad record.

That's why I became a tailor, to make a living.

And now I'm fighting for what's mine.

And I'm still bumping into them.

Their children, their nephews.

You've never told me this before.

Because I didn't think you'd be interested.

- Who is it? - The pension!

- Hello, ma'am, how are you? - Just fine!

This is my girlfriend, Celina.

Hello.

Celina is working on a film and she's looking for communists.

And I told her I know one.

- What if I wasn't home? - I would've followed your trail.

Do you still have your communist party membership book?

- I threw it out. - I don't believe you.

What if communism comes back?

I'd make a new one.

In this crisis, it's surely coming back.

- What do you need it for? - For the film, we can't find any.

- Ma'am, grab some photos too! - I'll take a look.

- Hello! - Hello!

Put the time code and the scene's number on it.

- Hello. - Good morning.

My aunt, Emilia. The biggest communist I know.

Don't mind him, he's mocking me.

I resented our leader.

Well, I've brought her. If you need anything else…

Here's her membership card. - Thank you.

- Celina, take care of her contract. - Sure, right away.

- Come, please. Take a seat. - Yes.

- Please. - Thank you.

Thank you for the membership card.

How come you kept it? Everyone we've talked to burned theirs.

I wanted to in the first few days after Ceaușescu fell, but…

I thought "what if communism returns"? What do I say?

So I hid it behind the painted icon.

Behind the icon?

I thought that no one would ever think to look there.

You were born in the countryside, right?

How old were you when you came to the city?

I did 4 years of school. That's all they offered there.

But I wanted to go further, not stay in the countryside...

to tread cow dung all my life.

Stop fooling around and start treading!

What is that exactly?

Well, when they didn't have wood…

they'd use it instead for heating.

It's a mixture of cow dung with hay.

They'd tread it well, put it on a platform,

cut it up, dry it out and use it during winter.

You'd shower for a whole week to get rid of the smell.

I had an aunt here. My father's sister.

I ran away from home and went to her.

She got me into metalworking.

And then in the working field.

- And what did you work as? - I was a milling cutter.

- And then they sent you here? - No.

I came here when the factory opened.

Because I had married and my husband was based here.

I see. And what did you do for work here?

I worked in the hall where the parts were processed.

I would cut, mill, anything they asked.

And then we would send them to the production plant.

The factor had just opened and we needed all kinds of parts.

We had a very nice community.

We'd get along very well.

We'd party, have fun together.

Tell jokes, play games.

Those with compote jars. Prepare them for checking.

We'd listen to music, we'd do everything.

What kind of music would you listen to?

Mostly traditional, but also easy listening.

Marius Țeicu, Angela Similea, Corina Chiriac.

All the singers from back then.

And foreign artists?

Those too.

Cutugno, Julio Iglesias, those who came to the Golden Stag Festival.

- I want a full body check. - Me too!

Stop playing, I know what you have in your jars!

Put them on the table.

Aren't you checking us too? Son of a bitch…

Cătălin told me that you resent the communist regime.

It's something we had to live through.

But you were a party member, weren't you?

I was for a short period before Ceaușescu fell.

Orders from Ms. Ceaușescu to have more women in the party.

I wanted to go to a vocational school.

And one of the requirements was party membership.

So you worked your asses off and needed a break?

Yes, boss!

Listen here!

Whoever solves this word puzzle gets a bottle of champagne.

- Costel, are you listening? - Shoot.

"A tanned, small and bow-legged citizen."

- How many tries? - Six.

- A gypsy. - Nope, five more guesses.

- Bow-legged? - Yes.

- Could it be Costel? - Well done, girls!

Show me where it says "bow-legged and tormented citizen".

"TANNED, small and bow-legged..."!

Be grateful that you made the crossword puzzle.

- Costel! - Madam Emilia?

How are you?

I barely recognized you in these clothes!

- What are you doing here? - Guarding these rusty things. And you?

- I was with these filming folks and thought I'd visit. - How nice!

Does anyone in our group still work at a workshop?

No, this one's being preserved.

Have you seen any of them? Heard any news, good or bad?

No, work, family... I don't have time.

- Hello. - Thank God I found you, ma'am.

- Let's go sign the contract. - Yes. Perhaps we'll meet again!

- God bless! - Goodbye.

Poor guy.

Give me his phone number so I can catch up with him.

And Aurelia's new number.

I did pay for it.

Eh, because…

OK.

Bye!

I try to focus on the present but…

my mind wanders to the past.

My parents. The village.

The treading of the cow dung.

The workshop.

Țucu.

Alice.

What's wrong? Are you sick?

I put some eye drops in and fell asleep.

I think I dreamt something, too, but I don't remember what.

-What time is it? -Around 7 PM.

I slept for a while.

I don't know why but my head's spinning.

Hold on.

You're fine.

- Hello. - Hello!

What would you like?

- I'm looking for Ms. Gina. - Ms. Gina?

- Lavinia, do you know a Ms. Gina? - Maybe back when it was Hygiene.

Yes, it was Hygiene back then.

- And what would you get done? - A perm.

- Exclusively with her? - She knew my hair.

I think something plant-based would work better.

Something gothic like Lady Gaga would be better.

Trust us.

Son of a bitch.

Mica!

Mica! The phone's ringing!

Can't you answer it?

- I'm setting this thing up! - Stop and answer the phone!

It's Alice, she wants to talk to you.

Hello?

Alice, where are you, sweetie?

Hotel?

What hotel?

They went to a hotel.

We were waiting for you here.

We prepared food.

Are you ashamed of our house or what?

Convince him to cancel it!

Which tie should I wear?

This one.

Here are the passports.

Alice!

Let me look at you!

God, you're beautiful!

Look at you, all dressed up!

- How are you? - Good, we're doing good.

I'm pleased to "met" you… meet!

- Look at that, you taught him! - I did.

- I hope you enjoy your stay with us. - With us.

Come in!

Here.

- Țucu! - One moment.

Please bring me the platter.

Thanks, dad.

And it moves, too.

My dear…

- Should I heat up some cabbage rolls? - No, it's a little late.

Maybe some pie?

Thanks.

Need help mom?

- Yeah, bring that platter. - Good boy!

You can cut.

Sweetie, why did you move to America?

The company I worked at was American

and it closed its branch in Canada.

What will you do now?

We're waiting to be assigned to their US branches.

- But are they paying you? - Part-time.

I mean, half the salary.

How long will they keep you like this?

I don't know. Until they regroup.

But you said that it's better in Canada because they needed workers.

Yes, mom, but… America's different.

Anyway, Canada is more like a province.

But people say there's a big crisis in America…

There's a big crisis everywhere.

I'll serve them.

Cheers!

The English would drive him in a carriage. Translate.

- What carriage, dad? - Ceaușescu in a carriage...

with the Queen because they wanted to sell him planes. Translate.

Yes, and Ceaușescu made it conditional:

"I'll buy the planes if the Queen drives me around in the carriage."

Right, because the English had great interest in planes.

Cheers!

We'll be right back, OK?

Were you there when the Queen talked to Ceaușescu in the carriage?

- But that's how it went. - I wanna know how they're doing

and you're talking all this trivia.

Mom! We got you a couple of things.

- For "mom-in-law"… - Chanel no. 5

And for "dad-in-law"…

It's for the kitchen to make square-shaped eggs.

- Square? - I knew you'd like it.

So they don't roll away.

Do you like it?

- Boiled... egg... - He knows!

You insert it.

You screw it in.

- Thank you! - It means thanks.

Let's keep trying.

Wait, I'll teach you.

Dancing, dancing in the ring...

Very good! Cover the holes here and here.

Cheers! It's working!

What are these?

That's the sister....

Cheers!

How far along are you?

Three months.

- Does he know? - Of course he knows, mom.

When Alice was born we lived in a rented house

with a floor made of soil and no fireplace.

At night, I would dream that she died of cold.

Put some for me, please.

Who knows how much brandy you drank.

We drank to break the ice.

Did you find out anything about the parents?

He only told me about his mother.

Nothing of his father, maybe he's dead.

You said he didn't mention him.

Yeah, but he showed me some photos.

This is his mother,

the brothers,

his sister…

The father is not there.

- This child? - It's his sister's.

What does he have? Does it run in the family?

"runs in the family"?

Are they raising him?

"Raising him"?

Out there, those ones are raised in nursing homes.

- Did you sleep well, sweetie? - Morning.

- Not really.

The timezone change messes you up.

- I'll make some coffee. - Thanks.

Dad, we need to go back to the hotel because Allan forgot his camera.

- Tell him we weren't a Republic at first.

Michael the Brave was the first one who united

the three provinces of Romania.

in 1600.

How do you say "Mihai" in English?

And "Viteazu"?

And here's another Michael, the last King of Romania.

But he ascended the throne as a kid. Poor boy!

Carol, his dad, was a womanizer.

And Queen Mary is the Michael's grandmother.

But she's also the aunt of the Queen of England

who gave Ceaușescu a carriage ride.

- This one's King Ferdinand… - Dad! Forgive me but they've very ugly!

They're so ugly and and probably cost a fortune.

Well, actually, they set up a camp here

where sculptors were given food, a place to sleep, and the materials.

Allan wants to take a photo.

Good morning!

Oh my!

Careful, it stains!

My God, what is that?

She's Cătălin's girlfriend.

Nice to meet you!

Let's go inside.

Look at you, American woman!

Pleased to meet you.

- Look at that! - Yeah, he talks.

C'mon, here!

Țucu, you've dressed up!

Mom, get the goose.

Yes, please help me with this.

- What are these things, sis? - It's a gift from the kids.

What gift? They carried eggs in their luggage?

No, it's a special jar. You put the boiled egg inside

- press on it and it turns square. - Amazing!

- Is it expensive? - Around 4... 5 dollars.

Yeah, it's expensive.

Can't you just buy the presser? We already have jars here.

No, because the jar is special, it has this perforation here.

American jars, sis!

- A bit! Thanks. - There we go.

- Cheers! To good health! - Cheers!

- Glad to have you all! - Glad to be here.

It's Ms. Stroescu, I'll go.

- Down it! - Go Allan!

- Hello. - Hello. I'm glad you made it.

Please, come in.

- Thank you. - There we go…

I brought you something

Thank you.

Unbelievable! Thank you!

It's amazing!

- Look! - Hand it for one sec.

You're very talented!

- It looks like me. - No, it looks like me!

- She's put on a little weight, but… - Cătălin!

Țucu!

There, thank you.

It looks so good!

- Do you want some? - No, thanks. I've eaten.

- A bit, for taste... - No, thank you.

I'm doing a wheat-based treatment.

As I was saying, wheat, mixed in with some oat bran, lentils…

It's golden. Heals everything!

- I also want to pick up yoga. - Very good.

If I may, Ms. Stroescu,

Yoga is good, but Pilates is in right now.

It relaxes you. Your entire flesh settles down differently.

- Yeah, but it's different… - I trust yoga more.

- Me too. - Yoga's good too.

You know there's a yoga camp now...

- Where, in Hunedoara? - In Hațeg. Seven nights, 150 euros.

- Would you like some cordial? - Or whiskey.

It's also wheat-based.

Țucu, we'll crawl on our knees back home...

7 AM, at the Ghencea Civil Cemetery. A public outcry...

The exhumation of the Ceaușescus is prepared in secret.

The guards have a clear order: no onlooker is allowed to assist

We want to see if there are any remains.

And after an expert analysis,

we'll determine if it's them or not.

After 20 years, 7 months and 27 days,

Ceaușescu's descendants can finally find out what's…

Unbelievable.

Still going on about Ceaușescu, about communism?

They were saying that if an election was held,

Ceaușescu would get 50% in the first round.

Plus one.

- Seriously? - Go see how people talk in the market.

- What, wouldn't she vote for him? - If you say so.

Mom, do you actually vote for the communists?

Well, who else?

Have you forgotten about the endless queues for meat?

But we manged fine.

Our fridge was full of everything.

No one was dying of hunger.

People weren't sleeping on the streets with their kids, as they do now.

Maybe they were but we didn't know.

- We would've heard about it. - How? We had 2 hours of TV per day.

OK, Mom, tell me, what made communism so amazing?

Communism made all the apartment blocks.

And gave me a free apartment to raise a child.

It made factories.

I had a stable job.

Capitalism would've built apartment blocks and factories too.

Villas for thieves.

I thought you were sarcastic, but you're more communist than I thought!

Well, the cat's out of the bag.

I'm an old communist hag.

What can I do?

I did honest work and never hurt anyone.

It's not about that, Ms. Georgilă.

Communism was an absurd system.

Utopian.

Maybe it was.

But I'm talking about my life,

my youth.

And it's back there, in that communism.

What should I do now? Forget it?

Mine is also there.

And it wasn't joyful at all, ma'am.

Țucu! Let's hope it all works out and you become a father-in-law!

If I may,

I'd like you to know that right now I'm thankful,

I'm happy and honored.

Cheers and to good health!

- Cheers! - To good health!

I hadn't considered myself a communist.

To us, communists were the activists that kept us in meetings

until we got sick of it.

Georgilă Emilia?

Yes.

Listening to Burac?

Yes.

Did comrade Iftimie say what this is about?

That comrade Ceaușescu was coming and I can't be sweating when we shake hands.

It's comrade NICOLAE Ceaușescu

general secretary of the Romanian Communist Party,

president of the Republic,

the nation's most beloved son. Because you're not his kin.

And not only will you NOT sweat... You will NOT breathe in his presence, got it?

Had I been a communist without realizing it?

Just one smoke. That's it.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I'm tired.

Where's Allan?

Cătălin took him. I don't know where.

Why didn't you go with them?

I didn't feel like it.

Where'd you go last night? Everyone was asking about you.

I walked Ms. Stroescu home.

When did you get back?

I don't know, mom, I didn't check the time.

I'll tell you when. It was 3 in the morning.

And if you already know, why ask me?

I'm asking so you tell me what's wrong.

You can tell a stranger what's wrong but you can't tell me?

C'mon now, Mom…

Don't be upset.

My mommy.

I just talked to her a little, that's all.

Alice, are you hiding something from me?

I have my own problems.

We're having work problems.

But you said you're working half-time.

I didn't want to upset you.

And what are you going to do?

We're looking for jobs, interviews, but that's not the problem.

The problem is the mortgage payments.

The bank keeps warning us that if we don't pay they'll foreclose it.

Mother-in-law…

With Cătălin…

Beer…

- Stay here and help me. - But I gotta feed the parrot. - Later!

Check if the water's cooled down enough.

It needs more time.

Sit down and cut the carrots.

Țucu, we need to do something to help our daughter.

- How? - Sell the country-home!

- There are no trains at this hour. - Take something else!

Don't you get that she's going to be homeless?

And with a child on the way!

Yes?

- Hello. - Hello!

I have a house in the countryside, and…

- Where?

- Mircea Voda, if you know. - Ah, yes.

Is it newly built? Facilities, amenities?

Right, it's made of brick, has three rooms, an antechamber and…

I see. The yard?

1200 meters, but the soil is good.

- Mica! - I'm on the balcony!

- Any luck? - No.

No one's buying, no one's selling.

Everything's dead.

Everyone's waiting.

What the hell are they waiting for?

- Hi, Costel. - Hello, boss.

It's good to see you.

- What brings you here? - I wanted to know

What will happen to the equipment inside?

It will be scrapped.

Who's in charge of that?

AVAS.

Who's that?

They're in charge of all the properties that used to belong to the state.

Stop working!

Gather around!

Our Comrade Director has an important announcement to make.

Dear comrades, I have wonderful news for us all.

In a few days, we will live through an extraordinary event.

Comrade Nicolae Ceaușescu will be visiting our facility.

Mr. Director, if I may, can't we start tomorrow?

- Didn't you hear what I said? - We need to finish the order for Thailand.

Do you think we have time for exports right now?

I'm not giving up until I take a photo

with Mr. Nicu, right here next to the lathe.

Listen here, Mr. Mitu.

If you shake hands with Ceaușescu, don't wash it until your dying breath.

No, not from him, I want a kiss from Leana, his wife…

Georgilă!

How are you, George?

- Hello! - Hello!

- Aurelia? - She's in her office.

- Here's the change.

Oh, I forgot! Do you have any raisins?

Yes, of course, one moment.

- Hi! - Mica? - How are you?

How are you, my dear?

Sit down, c'mon!

- Can I get you anything? - No, thank you!

Oh, come on, a little bit!

I can't stay long because Alice is here with her fiancee.

Sanda told me she's stunning.

I wish I could've seen her!

My god, Mica..!

I'm so happy to see you!

Cheers!

- I had no idea about Georgel. - Cerebral edema…

Everything's fallen on me.

Since they've opened this Penny, it's been getting harder and harder.

And here I thought you were drowning in cash.

Only in the first few years, Mica.

I had to get a loan to buy a new cash register.

If I could...

I'd sell it, but in this crisis no one's buying

Have you been at the factory lately?

I heard they've only left the walls intact.

I was in the area and I thought I'd go inside.

The equipment's the same.

Hello, Sanda!

What are you doing this Friday?

In the afternoon, I meant.

I talked to Aurelia, maybe we can get together at your place.

Mr. Pancu is coming, so is Sorin.

I'll make a pie, you can make a cake.

She said she'll bring some beverages.

Wait here.

That bag needs to be checked.

Go on. I'll give it to you later.

Due to Ceaușescu's visit, they put me in a quarantine for a week.

He was afraid of germs.

Mom.

Mom!

Wouldn't it be better if growing up was voluntary

and you could remain a kid forever?

You would always measure your height to see if you've grown!

What did I know back then?

- How are things home? - Good, I baked eggplants and stored them.

And how's Alice at school?

She cried because she got a 9 in calligraphy.

But I gave comrade Lănțișor what's necessary

and she said she'll handle it.

Like you taught me.

Mom!

Something came up and Allan has to leave early.

It was… It was nice meeing you, "mom-in-law".

Thank you.

To meet.

Here... Very good.

Waiting you... America.

- Aren't you going with him? - No.

I don't want to.

- Leaving… - You're leaving? - To the train station.

Put them in the back.

There.

- Dad, hurry, he'll to miss the train! - Don't worry, he won't.

Mr. Pancu! Energy prices have gone up again!

How are you?

- Careful, the boss is here. - Who?

- Hello! - Hello!

You guys never age, do you?

- How are you, Mr. Pancu? - Louder, he can't hear you.

How are you?

Getting closer to heaven centimeter by centimeter.

- You still look young to me. - Of course, I still chase young women!

- Aurelia? - Running late,

she had to change something at the cash register due to the sales tax hike.

When you own, you're filled with worries. We don't have any, do we Mr. Pancu?

Apart from the day tomorrow brings, none.

My hag's dead. I have a fat pension. No resting place at the cemetary...

No worries, I'll build you an extension on top of mine.

- We'll play backgammon. - No need.

I've got it covered. I'll come back reincarnated as a pigeon!

Hey, is it true that the boss is dead?

Didn't I tell you sis?

What with the floods, the water just took him along with his car.

Too bad he didn't have any car insurance.

- Who's there to replace him then? - On the other side?

Why Mr. Pancu? We're still in power!

We have so much power that our pants fall off.

Look who's here!

If you hadn't shown up, I would've broken off all ties with you!

That's why I came!

- How are you, Mr. Pancu? - Good.

Aurelia, I was so thirsty for this!

Is anyone else coming, sis?

Mr. Culidiu wasn't sure he'd make it, but he said he was all for it!

- All for what? - Relaunching the workshop.

- Are you serious? - Well, why not?

The equipment will be easy to get because they're scrapping them.

And we'll have the warehouse here, since you have no use for the space.

Really? And when were you planning on asking me?

Indeed, we can build a factory here! Look at all this space!

- Are you mocking me? - Not at all!

We'll built a small one. Two sections.

The factory sends us parts to work on and it's ours.

- Are you two serious? - Yes.

I wouln't return to that miserable factory for all gold in the world!

You forget how you'd beg me to take you in my sector.

Well, did I have a choice?

The pay was better and we would have fun.

Perhaps Emilia's found an investor loaded with cash,

and we're laughing at her for no reason.

You all are waiting around for nothing.

If our poor boss was here he'd restart the facility in a heartbeat!

Don't cry over him, he was the biggest lecher I knew.

- No way! Our boss? - Yes.

- He'd always try something with me. - I would've tried something too.

- You still have time, Sorin. - Really?

- I'm serious. - Look at them.

I didn't see this coming.

You were preoccupried with party morale, with Dorofte.

Oh, Dorofte! You know where I last saw him?

At the monastery, selling small icon paintings.

- Seriously? - Poor guy.

The "poor guy" who pretended he didn't know me?

I told him: "How are you, Mr. Dorofte? Looks like you found a new hobby!"

Intelligent people adapt.

You know who else adapted very well?

Dragoș, can I get you anything else? Some cake, soda, pie?

- Something to drink. - Yes, right away.

- Did you hear about Mr. Mitu? - What?

- They found out he was an informer. - He smelled like one, big time.

- Mr. Mitu? - Yes.

Wasn't he always telling jokes about Ceaușescu?

That's why he was telling them! To see who, what…

Come quickly! They're announcing the results

to that poll about Ceaușescu!

C'mon, Sorin!

Tell me.

Do you still sweat?

I do sometimes, boss.

Your palms, I mean. Do they still get sweaty?

No.

Good.

I hear he doesn't like that.

You need to shake his hand

when he comes here for the inauguration.

What do I have to do?

They'll tell you.

Boss, wouldn't it be better for Aurelia to go? She's more spirited.

Do you have any idea what an order from the party means?

- Hi. - Hello!

- It's grown. - Yes.

You'll need to secure it.

Do you have some thread?

- I'll check. - Thank you!

- Don't you go anywhere! - No, I'll wait!

- Can you talk? - I can end the call.

Mom, where were you?

I was at Sanda's.

A few old colleagues came over.

I haven't seen them since the factory shut down.

How was it?

They've gotten old.

I tried to convince them to put the workshop back on its feet.

You could help us, too.

- Really? - At least until you're due.

I always dreamt you'd graduate and work as an engineer at the factory.

I'm sorry.

What did Allan do with the bank?

So far, nothing.

I need to find some thread for Maricica.

Wasn't she the one who cleaned up the apartment blocks?

- She lived in the basement. - Yes, Ms. Paveliu gave her the basement.

She would help her with the supplies.

- Mom? - Yes?

You haven't said anything about Allan.

I don't know, sweetie.

What can you make of a person in a week?

Yeah, but still…

I don't even know the language.

You don't want to tell me.

It's not that I don't want to, sweetie, but you know best.

Yes, but I also want your opinion.

He's not a bad guy.

And now there's also the baby.

You're putting all of your faith in the child.

That's when you really know a man...

Wake up!

-What is it? -You've slept enough.

What's gotten into you?

I want to see what you do out there.

See what?

How many eggs the chicken lay today?

I'll see for myself.

- What do you think about the yard? - Yeah...

- Look how beautiful they've gotten! - Yeah...

They're German!

Let me show you the garden!

Watch your step! I planted something but... it's hasn't grown.

Little goat!

How's my little goat?

What do you think of the garden?

Why don't you clean up the wilting ones?

I did but they just keep wilting because of the drought.

I didn't come here every week to water them!

Look how big and beautiful the tomatoes are!

Mica!

- What, in God's name, brought you here? - Hi, Catrina!

He wanted to show me what a nice job he did.

So? Wasn't it a good job?

He likes to watching it grow more than he likes working.

How about some brandy and pickles?

No brandy for me, I want to go talk to Catrina.

How are you, Catrina?

Alright.

Tell me, is it easy to find wood around here?

They come around sometimes selling wood,

But it's gotten awfully expensive.

As if living in an apartment is cheaper.

Half your pension goes to maintenance.

But everything's in the same place.

Yeah, but you sit around doing nothing all day.

Mom, where are you?

- My daughter-in-law. - C'mon, I'm going to work!

- I'm going. - You need to stay with the kid!

She's really bad.

You were lucky, God gave you a daughter.

Where's Catrina?

Her daughter-in-law asked her to stay with the kid.

Here, put this on since you're from the city.

For sun protection.

My God…

Cheers!

Have a pickle. It's alcohol free.

Have you cleaned this chimney lately?

What's gotten into you with the chimney?

Start treading, and stop fooling around!

Aren't you coming to eat?

I'll be there after I book these plane tickets.

- What plane? - I have to leave.

You said you weren't leaving anytime soon.

Allan called to tell me that there are problems with the house.

The bank wants to foreclose and we'll lose it if we don't find they money.

How much do you need?

15,000 dollars.

- Hello. - Hello.

Come on in.

Have a seat.

How may I help you?

We need a loan.

How much and for how long?

15,000 dollars, for six months.

Pledge?

A countryhome with a yard, here, close to the city.

No interest. Anything else?

An apartment.

You know what happens, right?

If you don't have the money on time,

you lose the apartment.

Yes.

You're putting up the apartment as a pledge?

Yes.

You'll lose it if you don't have the money

with an interest rate of 50% in six months.

Can't the interest rate be lower?

It can be. 25%. Three months.

What'll it be?

- Hi there, Costel! - Hello, boss!

- Did you get promoted? - We switch places every week!

- You still rooting for Steaua FC? - Is the same team it once was?

- So, where's the shooting? - Take a right.

- Cheers. - Cheers!

Can you stand behind him, please?

And you, come forward.

Jimmy!

I want this one a meter closer because it's too far back.

- Is he one of ours? - Yes, in case you need him.

Well, I don't. Get him out of the shot.

He's the director!

- Hello! - Hello! How are you?

Celina asked me to come to the shooting.

- Very good. - And I brought my husband.

Nice to meet you.

- Celina! - Excuse me… - Yes?

- Yes?

Take them and change their clothes, right away.

Back then there were many more people!

- I understand. - Jimmy! Come here.

Show me that one with the visit, please.

Do we have a crowd as large as the one in the footage?

The D.O.P. is supposed to recreate the crowd virtually.

OK, but will I have thousands? - That's what he promised.

Bullshit.

- What were you wearing back then? - We wore the national costume.

I see. Hold on.

Teo! Come here, please!

- I need a national costume for the lady. - One moment.

- Who am I playing? - What were you back then?

Back then they didn't let me participate.

Mica!

- Mica! - Comrade?

- I brought some drinks for my wife. - He's my husband.

Comrade, during the event, any communication

between different members is prohibited.

- Please leave. - But the girl has to go to the event,

- I had to iron her shirt so we're late… - She's coming with me.

- Go on. - Come!

- And how do I get her back? - We'll let you know.

Here you go.

- But we didn't wear these back then. - That's all we have.

Please find something for Mr. Țucu, as well.

And when the man who plays Ceaușescu gets there,

you walk forward to him and don't forget about the sweat.

The moment you feel it, you pat it, OK?

And please be sure to walk forward in time.

- And the flowers? - When we start shooting.

And who am I playing?

You, come with me please.

When the shooting is over, meet me at the car, OK?

Attention everyone!

With honor and pride, Ceaușescu Romania!

Ceaușescu and the people!

Hooray!

Are the helicopters ready?

Extras, keep your heads up high!

Attention! We're rolling!

Action!

God, how I waited for him.

Something came up and he had to turn back.

Stop here.

Marici…

Which railroad car are you in?

Five.

What's this? - Cheese. It's good for calcium.

It'll go bad.

- But I preserved it with salt. - I'm not traveling with cheese.

Call us when you get there.

- What's this? - You'll see.

Don't even dare think about it!

It's not your business what I think!

- Bye! - Bye!

Take care of yourselves!

I think she said something, did you hear it?

No.

Who could it be?

- Hello! - Hello! Come in!

- How are you? - Good.

We want to take photo of the house.

- Hello. - Hello.

Good. Brick.

The bathroom.

The tiles are old.

The living room.

- No air conditioning? - It's not good for the lungs.

That's all.

- Have a good day. - Goodbye!

These damn police officers!

They now monitor you in helicopters. Don't like their cars anymore.

They're from the shoot, can't you see their camera?

The Forensic Medical Institute of Bucharest announces…

Turn it up.

…that they've identified the DNA of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

The DNA of Elena Ceaușescu couldn't be identified,

the amount of extracted DNA being extremely…

Good thing they found it.

So he can rest in peace.

Mica?

Who am I playing?

You and your stupid jokes!

Drive faster so we get there before dark.

Why, are you afraid the house will get up and leave?