Cinema, mon amour (2015) - full transcript
Every cinema has a story - a tale of loneliness, friendship, hope and unfulfilled dreams.
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I've seen so many films
that I can't name them all.
The first guy walks off.
The other guy
doesn't follow him.
Now, he does !
They argue.
It's torn !
That's it ! The End !
Orwo.
- How does it feel ?
- Yes, it's good.
My name is... Victor Purice.
I take care of this cinema.
I'd like to tell you
the story of a child
who discovered
his thirst for the movies.
A child who approached cinema slowly,
step by step.
A cinema that opened in Piatra Neamt
in 1970.
He was one of the first people
to witness wonders !
He saw the opening
of "Swan Lake" in 1970.
He fell in love
with the big screen,
with stereo sound,
and he took a huge decision:
to dedicate his life to cinema.
Before the fall of Communism, there
were over 400 cinemas in Romania,
all owned by the state company
ROMANIA FILM.
Today there are less than 30 cinemas
left in the entire country.
CINEMA DACIA in Piatra Neamt
is one of them.
This is the entrance hall
to the Dacia Panoramic cinema.
Once upon a time...
people would queue right
back here.
- One behind the other.
- Queuing.
How do things look now ?
Like this.
Like the place is waiting.
This is where I spent
40-odd years.
We call it the projection booth.
- How many spectators are there?
- Right now ? Three.
But they're here !
That's what matters !
Even if there's only one viewer,
he is still the boss !
We're only here because of him.
If it weren't for him,
we'd have to take up farming instead.
It's beautiful in Piatra Neamt,
a fairy-tale city,
if you come once,
you'll come back.
It's beautiful in Piatra Neamt,
everything gleams,
this is where I was born,
and where I'll stay.
This is crazy ! It's wonderful !
- I can't carry on, boss !
- What are you doing ?
I've always wondered
how they make movies.
Cucumber, something pickled !
Come on !
Coming boss !
Just cutting up the pickles.
- If we're fasting, can we eat this ?
- Yes.
What about some butter
on the potatoes ?
- We don't have any.
- No butter while we're fasting.
Look at all these delights !
It's clean.
See ?
It works like clockwork.
Purrs like a kitten.
- Now let's fix this one.
- Which ?
This one. It's dirtier.
It goes in the back.
Now for a quick
breath of fresh airý
This is when people are supposed
to come to the cinema.
It should be full !
"Good evening !" "Hello !"
But people don't come anymore.
Only me, some crazy idiot.
I get a bit down
when evening comes, see ?
- Don't take it to heart !
- It's impossible not to !
We could close up and go home.
But why ! It's nice here !
When I fall asleep in the morning...
Another sleepless night ?
That's the way I've always been.
- Dacia Panoramic, right ?
- Yes.
- Dacia ?
- Dacia.
Hey, Nicu,
"Dacia Panoramic", right ?
Don't get it wrong !
Good morning.
We're back, with the guest
of our live show, Mr. Victor Purice.
The director
of the Dacia Panoramic cinema.
- Good to see you, it's been a while.
- It's a pleasure to be back.
How are you doing ? Surviving ?
- Keeping the institution alive ?
- Yes, we're still alive.
I'm excited
about the next generation.
- The younger generation ?
- Yes.
I want to keep them happy,
no matter what.
By offering half-price tickets,
for example.
That way, they'll stick with me.
Why has cinema fallen behind ?
What are the challenges ?
The internet ? Television ?
The challenges
come from bad management.
When "Romania Film" took over,
they sold what they could.
- Only a few of them survived.
- So they sold the cinemas ?
They could sell them
as they had good locations.
They carried on
until they all vanished.
It's not dying and it's not
surrendering without a fight.
As long as I'm around,
we won't give up without a fight.
My congratulations
on the work that you do.
I have a great team to work with.
- We're like one big family.
- The "Dacia Panoramic" family.
Mum, Dad, Grandad, and the kid !
Let's try the managing director.
Where is he ?
Let's call my boss.
If he won't call me, I'll call him !
- Was he meant to call ?
- No. He was meant to come here !
He'll see that I called.
I'm disappointed he didn't reply,
but he'll call back.
Maybe it's too early for him.
10 a.m.
isn't a good time for politicians.
He'll be enjoying a coffee,
he won't be thinking about me.
But one day he will !
God has his ways.
- Can you see me ? Hello ?
- No, I can't see you.
- I can't hear you.
- Can you hear me now ?
When you get back, there might be
a surprise: a 3D cinema !
Will they put up a statue
in your honor ?
There'll be all kinds of things !
3D ? Before you get 3D
you'll need to clean the place up
and get rid of the rats !
3D is the last thing you need !
Look at my little grandson !
It's breaking up.
The signal is breaking up.
Clean the house.
I bet it's a disaster ! We'll see !
I'm all alone ! Sorry !
Ciao Cristi !
Bye !
The image is terrible !
- It's not the green icon.
- It's the yellow one ?
Yes, let's move this here...
Now it's supposed to turn white.
See ?
Yes, you said something about that,
but I didn't understand.
That's it.
- The image is crooked.
- I'll fix it later.
Isn't it too low ?
When we first screened "Titanic",
we had 907 people here.
- So many ?
- 907.
I'd never seen
so much money in my life.
- Are you loading the film reel ?
- They don't use film any more.
They do, but film is expensive,
so they released it on Blu-ray.
- It's much better this way.
- It uses less electricity.
But when we finish renovating,
we'll only have professional equipment.
Time, don't be cruel !
Let us be high school kids
a little longer...
Now comes the scene in the water.
With the history teacher.
I know this film by heart.
I've seen "Star Wars"
countless times.
We played
under the living room table.
Our father made us light-sabers.
With Christmas tree lights.
My brother and I used to fight.
We both wanted to be Luke Skywalker.
We also liked the film "Mother".
We'd roll around under the table.
My sister never wanted
to play with us.
She was younger and had her dolls.
Just as we're finishing,
my back starts hurting !
- What ?
- My back hurts.
I'll do the projection booth
before the film ends.
I'm repairing front of the cinema.
That's life !
What else can I do !
Otherwise it'll fall off
on people's heads.
I'm not the owner.
But it's mine for now.
Come on, let me finish here,
then I'll clean the house.
You won't come home
to find a mess. Bye.
My wife !
"Purice, you've gone crazy again !"
- How does it look from down there ?
- Great !
Superb ! Belissima ! Jolie !
If you don't say that,
who else will ?
When I get down I'll tell you
whether it's great or not.
- Come on, Lori !
- Calm down !
- It's no good when it's cold !
- Hot food gives you wrinkles !
Mamma mia, what a feast !
We're eating out !
We work here, eat here...
- Like a picnic !
- Right.
- You sold the tickets, right ?
- Yes.
Go and tear off the tickets.
Let's eat first.
- Want to make a bet ?
- No.
What time is it ?
Want to make a bet ?
What about ? I'm in.
What do you want to bet on ?
I bet I'll finish
painting the sign tonight.
- What time is it ?
- 6:40 p.m.
- Italy, right ?
- Yes.
Good evening, my love.
I'm at the cinema, as always.
I've repaired part of it,
I've set up scaffolding.
It's tough.
I'll be busy
for the next two weeks.
Who else would do it ?
It'd fall on people !
It's raining, I get wet,
then it's sunny. I get wet, cold...
I've not finished the job.
How are the kids ?
Aren't they coming home ?
No ?
Aren't they coming home ?
Why not ?
During the summer holidays,
CINEMA DACIA
will run films for kids at 12 p.m.
You are in charge of this.
- Can they move closer ?
- Of course. The theatre is all theirs.
One-two, one-two.
This is such a treat for me !
And on a fasting day, of all days !
I've heard that you can choose
your own film.
- How many requests are there ?
- Five.
- Seven.
- Seven ? You want a horror film ?
Perhaps later.
We're going to put these requests
into the roosters bag.
He's the mascot
of the International
Children's Film Festival.
One of you can pick out the film
we'll watch this evening.
- Is that OK ?
- Yes !
- I can't hear you ! Is that OK ?
- YES !
Much better !
Let's ask your teacher
to put the requests in the bag.
Once again, it's a real pleasure
to have you here.
My goal
was to bring you all here today,
and to fight for you
to be able to use it.
It's your civic right !
It's not my cinema, it's yours.
It belongs
to everyone in Piatra Neamt.
Read it out loud, young lady.
"Frozen."
"Frozen" ? Is that right ?
You tell me
I'm still young, Alex.
But when you can't sleep,
when you can't relax,
it really affects you.
In your bed...
Because I know that tomorrow
I'll have to meet the same bastards
who make promises
and still ignore you.
Do you know
how much that hurts ?
Slowly, your life passes you by.
I hope you won't end up thinking
like this. But that's the way it goes.
This cinema took up
20 or 30 years of my life.
When people ignore you, it hurts.
It's horrible.
That's life.
You drink a glass of wine,
and feel better,
you go home and drink another glass
and pretend to sleep.
You wake up.
It's hard.
It's hard, my friends.
You cry,
you pull yourself together.
That's how your life
passes through the cinema.
Lord ! I'd love to see it full...
... of people again.
Perhaps they'll remember me.
I'm sorry to cause such a scene.
Why didn't I stay at home ?
That's life.
That's how I spent mine.
- Bogdan, your girlfriend left.
- Fuck off !
- Run after her !
- Don't be stupid !
- Want me to talk to her ?
- Yeah, go after her !
- Hey !
- We'll be back !
Magda, Bogdan likes you !
He said he misses you,
that you're beautiful.
He said
he can't live without you !
He wants to go out with you
but can't ask.
- Really !
- Do you want to go out with him ?
Look at that stupid idiot !
She said you're cute,
she likes you.
- Where's the maestro ?
- Go on, Margi.
I'll sing you a masterpiece.
You should all sing.
Let us sing friends,
for all our hopes and dreams...
- Enjoy the film !
- Thank you.
- Where are the horror movies ?
- Over there.
It's on DVD.
I gave a blanket
to the girl in the skirt.
- Why ?
- She's cold.
She asked if we had any more blankets.
I said we have and I gave her one.
It's horrible when winter comes.
I hate it !
- How was it ?
- Really good. Thanks !
- Hope to see you again.
- Sure, we'd love to.
I changed it !
And it's blown.
Now take the fire back,
on the other side of the wall.
Victor !
Look at the smoke in here !
Look where it's coming from !
- Shall I leave it here ?
- No, put it out and take it outside !
Look where
the smoke came through !
Where there's smoke,
there's heat !
We should set the chairs on fire.
Two chairs every screening.
It's like carrying
a treasure-chest !
Look out !
Don't swallow the torchlight !
I'm not going to look.
25 minutes ?
Perhaps I should look.
It was 11 degrees, right ?
So in half an hour...
The room, not just downstairs.
It rose by 5 degrees.
That's great. It's superb !
I can feel the heat on my leg !
I can really feel it !
- Do you want to see a film tonight ?
- We don't have any money.
What about two-for-one ?
- Tomorrow at 14:00, we'll be here.
- You can choose the film.
I've a surprise for you.
Your old man Victor
fixed the heating for the winter.
There's a section where
50-100 of you can sit.
So we won't be using
blankets so much.
Will you dance, ma'am ?
- Me ?
- Yes, you.
I'm a married man, you know.
Gently !
Want to keep warm ?
Come over here.
Look how much I poured here !
It's too dark !
- This mug is mine !
- All over your shoes !
- Stop poking me with your tits.
- That's my elbow, boss, not my tits !
I want a massage, too !
Are we going to that
romantic town tomorrow ?
No. I've changed my mind.
We're going to the seaside.
No time to waste in Bucharest
and Iasi can wait.
The summer is already here !
I don't like it !
The snow makes me short of breath !
One blanket for two or three people.
So there's enough for everyone.
Take the back seats, too.
Sit in the middle.
That's where the heat comes through.
- Give me the blanket.
- No way !
Here, take this one.
Are your warming yourself at work ?
The audience is shivering
while you're nice and warm ?
It's worse for me.
They're here for two hours.
I'm here for eight.
- You ? Or all of us ?
- You only asked about me !
So, tell me what do you think ?
I think we should put the heater
back in the theatre.
It's not doing its job.
It gives out too little heat
and needs more power.
- Exactly.
- Stops before it has chance to work.
Before,
it could warm about six seats.
- I remember.
- It makes noise, but it's warm.
What we have isn't working.
- You forgot the napkins !
- Yes. Go and get them, I forgot.
The tea will get cold !
Thank you !
It's so cold !
- Can you see your breath ?
- Yes.
An old friend of mine...
No.
He was a cinema apprentice
who worked at a place in Germany,
got me in touch with....
His boss, a friend of his,
wants to meet me.
They invited me there
to see the cinema.
It's a wonderful idea !
I need to pay for the plane tickets.
He'll take care of the rest.
It's fantastic !
Yes.
Fine. Let's speak later.
I just had to tell someone.
See you at work. Bye !
I still don't understand
what you'll be doing in Germany.
- It'll be an exchange.
- Meaning ?
I'm going there to see
how the civilized world does it.
And try to apply it here. It's
different when you're actually there.
I can take pictures...
I can get ideas about
the colors, the design...
Don't worry about us, boss.
We'll manage here.
Come back with really good news !
I have a feeling that this cinema
is next to or inside a castle.
He's showing us his best theatre.
- He has more of them ?
- He has three.
This is another hotel in the center.
- Where are the other cinemas ?
- There are no others.
The other one...
This one here... It was sold off.
- What about a multiplex ?
- No.
- How old are you ?
- 58.
- I'm alright, no ?
- Yes !
- You ? How old ? 56 ? 55 ?
- 54.
Just one layer of fabric.
Carpet !
- Now there are two of us !
- But there are more of us.
Listen, kids, I had some unbelievable
dreams last night.
What did you dream ?
The Bicaz dam burst,
there was water everywhere.
How was the water ?
Muddy or clear ?
- It was water.
- If it's muddy, it's bad.
Clear water is a good omen.
Anyway, your horoscope is good.
The water flooded half the town,
the part with the cinema.
I held on to an antenna
and when the water receded
I came back down.
But the theatre was gone.
If you were there,
you'd have started to cry.
The state of our cinemas
is a tragedy.
They only have classic cinemas
over there.
"The Theatre Cinema".
It was "Panoramic".
They'd preserved everything.
The cinema's name,
written in wrought iron.
Just as it had always been.
They don't change it.
- And was there an audience ?
- There was...
They must have,
because they offer good facilities.
The theatre was three-quarters full
for "The Hobbit".
Which "Hobbit" ?
The last one.
They were already screening it.
And did I mention the seats ?
When I left the hall,
he asked if I enjoyed the film.
"You can take
100 of the seats in January."
"Come and take them,
they're yours."
"Yes, they're yours."
"Give me some time and
I'll get you 200-300 more."
Now I'll have to beg people
to help me bring them over.
Nobody will help me.
Someone offers them...
For free !
I think it's time to put a stop
to all these sacrifices
and stop playing the hero.
Stop wasting our time
and money.
Nobody cares.
It's not worth it.
Who benefits from all our work ?
I don't want to become a poor,
useless pensioner,
who cries
every time he passes this place.
I should call it a day
and move on.
But I could never leave you here
to suffer.
I would not do it.
Either we all leave,
or no one does.
Perhaps with prayer
and with God's help...
It'd hurt me deeply to know
that you're still here, suffering.
Daydreaming like I used to,
hoping that things will improve.
Thank you very much. Enjoy the film
and enjoy your tea !
We left the tea-bags in.
They even stopped
using 35mm film...
The boss told me...
Two, no, three years ago...
He changed a drum
of the projector.
And he said we had enough spare parts
to last until I retire.
And in the meantime,
film disappeared.
It didn't disappear...
If the boss hadn't bought
this video projector...
- What we'd have done ?
- I don't want to think about it !
It was a stroke of genius.
This is real music !
I'm young again !
- Victor, don't move !
- I won't.
Stay there...
Right now,
we're investigating the situation.
I was honestly not aware
of this situation.
Our goal right now
is to save cinema theatres.
It's hard to say how we'll do this.
We only started a month ago.
We're still waiting for documents
regarding the status of the cinemas.
Anyone can turn up
holding a piece of paper,
as you know yourself.
I'm sorry you couldn't bring
those seats to Romania.
If I had known,
I would have helped you.
And my colleagues,
because it's been very chaotic
they went everywhere,
looking for answers,
hearing they'd be sold or closed.
I've lost faith in the unions,
in other people, in everything.
I decided to come here
to find out for myself.
I appreciate the time and effort
involved in coming to Bucharest.
I think
we see things the same way.
I can't make any promises,
but we'll try.
We have the same objectives.
God willing, something good
will come out of this.
- What have you found ?
- "Rio Bravo" !
Western... John Wayne.
And it's CinemaScope, black and white.
Fantastic !
You know how old this is ?
Look, it's glued
just like they used to.
Film rolls brought so much joy
and happiness.
This is the stuff ! Not digital.
Follow the line.
How many are there ?
One, two, three, four.
- So ? It's perfect, right ?
- Yes.
- Can I do it ?
- Try it.
Not like that. That's right.
Don't touch the picture side.
- Can you see the perforations ?
- Yes !
Look at the bottom ones.
- They're not aligned.
- They're not.
That's right !
Now look at the continuity
of the perforations.
Can you see any mismatch
between the two sides ?
- No.
- Ok. Now we use this.
Let's see...
Then we blow on it a little.
Done !
- Won't it come unstuck ?
- No.
700 people would be waiting
in the cinema.
I'd come from the train station
with the film.
There were no taxis back then.
I carried it in my backpack.
We still have that backpack !
They were so excited to see me.
"Victor is here with the film !"
That was the beauty of it.
They greeted you like a king.
Let me sing you the story of my life.
I feel it's passing me by.
People call me a drifter.
They sneer and say:
"I know him, he's a bad man,
who doesn't know what love is."
All he ever loved in his life is...
Cinema.
I never heard you sing before.
But you know, it's not true.
Nobody knows what my life's been like.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
But it's not true. Nobody knows
what my life's been like.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
What about you, what about me,
what about you.
If you get to know me,
you'll see I'm a kind person.
I love life too,
and want to cut my own path.
I hate people who've only done
wrong in life.
I hate myself,
for I too have done wrong...
But you know, it's not true.
Nobody knows what my life's been like.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
What about you, what about me,
what about you.
And I can't do it no more,
look at my fingers !
---
I've seen so many films
that I can't name them all.
The first guy walks off.
The other guy
doesn't follow him.
Now, he does !
They argue.
It's torn !
That's it ! The End !
Orwo.
- How does it feel ?
- Yes, it's good.
My name is... Victor Purice.
I take care of this cinema.
I'd like to tell you
the story of a child
who discovered
his thirst for the movies.
A child who approached cinema slowly,
step by step.
A cinema that opened in Piatra Neamt
in 1970.
He was one of the first people
to witness wonders !
He saw the opening
of "Swan Lake" in 1970.
He fell in love
with the big screen,
with stereo sound,
and he took a huge decision:
to dedicate his life to cinema.
Before the fall of Communism, there
were over 400 cinemas in Romania,
all owned by the state company
ROMANIA FILM.
Today there are less than 30 cinemas
left in the entire country.
CINEMA DACIA in Piatra Neamt
is one of them.
This is the entrance hall
to the Dacia Panoramic cinema.
Once upon a time...
people would queue right
back here.
- One behind the other.
- Queuing.
How do things look now ?
Like this.
Like the place is waiting.
This is where I spent
40-odd years.
We call it the projection booth.
- How many spectators are there?
- Right now ? Three.
But they're here !
That's what matters !
Even if there's only one viewer,
he is still the boss !
We're only here because of him.
If it weren't for him,
we'd have to take up farming instead.
It's beautiful in Piatra Neamt,
a fairy-tale city,
if you come once,
you'll come back.
It's beautiful in Piatra Neamt,
everything gleams,
this is where I was born,
and where I'll stay.
This is crazy ! It's wonderful !
- I can't carry on, boss !
- What are you doing ?
I've always wondered
how they make movies.
Cucumber, something pickled !
Come on !
Coming boss !
Just cutting up the pickles.
- If we're fasting, can we eat this ?
- Yes.
What about some butter
on the potatoes ?
- We don't have any.
- No butter while we're fasting.
Look at all these delights !
It's clean.
See ?
It works like clockwork.
Purrs like a kitten.
- Now let's fix this one.
- Which ?
This one. It's dirtier.
It goes in the back.
Now for a quick
breath of fresh airý
This is when people are supposed
to come to the cinema.
It should be full !
"Good evening !" "Hello !"
But people don't come anymore.
Only me, some crazy idiot.
I get a bit down
when evening comes, see ?
- Don't take it to heart !
- It's impossible not to !
We could close up and go home.
But why ! It's nice here !
When I fall asleep in the morning...
Another sleepless night ?
That's the way I've always been.
- Dacia Panoramic, right ?
- Yes.
- Dacia ?
- Dacia.
Hey, Nicu,
"Dacia Panoramic", right ?
Don't get it wrong !
Good morning.
We're back, with the guest
of our live show, Mr. Victor Purice.
The director
of the Dacia Panoramic cinema.
- Good to see you, it's been a while.
- It's a pleasure to be back.
How are you doing ? Surviving ?
- Keeping the institution alive ?
- Yes, we're still alive.
I'm excited
about the next generation.
- The younger generation ?
- Yes.
I want to keep them happy,
no matter what.
By offering half-price tickets,
for example.
That way, they'll stick with me.
Why has cinema fallen behind ?
What are the challenges ?
The internet ? Television ?
The challenges
come from bad management.
When "Romania Film" took over,
they sold what they could.
- Only a few of them survived.
- So they sold the cinemas ?
They could sell them
as they had good locations.
They carried on
until they all vanished.
It's not dying and it's not
surrendering without a fight.
As long as I'm around,
we won't give up without a fight.
My congratulations
on the work that you do.
I have a great team to work with.
- We're like one big family.
- The "Dacia Panoramic" family.
Mum, Dad, Grandad, and the kid !
Let's try the managing director.
Where is he ?
Let's call my boss.
If he won't call me, I'll call him !
- Was he meant to call ?
- No. He was meant to come here !
He'll see that I called.
I'm disappointed he didn't reply,
but he'll call back.
Maybe it's too early for him.
10 a.m.
isn't a good time for politicians.
He'll be enjoying a coffee,
he won't be thinking about me.
But one day he will !
God has his ways.
- Can you see me ? Hello ?
- No, I can't see you.
- I can't hear you.
- Can you hear me now ?
When you get back, there might be
a surprise: a 3D cinema !
Will they put up a statue
in your honor ?
There'll be all kinds of things !
3D ? Before you get 3D
you'll need to clean the place up
and get rid of the rats !
3D is the last thing you need !
Look at my little grandson !
It's breaking up.
The signal is breaking up.
Clean the house.
I bet it's a disaster ! We'll see !
I'm all alone ! Sorry !
Ciao Cristi !
Bye !
The image is terrible !
- It's not the green icon.
- It's the yellow one ?
Yes, let's move this here...
Now it's supposed to turn white.
See ?
Yes, you said something about that,
but I didn't understand.
That's it.
- The image is crooked.
- I'll fix it later.
Isn't it too low ?
When we first screened "Titanic",
we had 907 people here.
- So many ?
- 907.
I'd never seen
so much money in my life.
- Are you loading the film reel ?
- They don't use film any more.
They do, but film is expensive,
so they released it on Blu-ray.
- It's much better this way.
- It uses less electricity.
But when we finish renovating,
we'll only have professional equipment.
Time, don't be cruel !
Let us be high school kids
a little longer...
Now comes the scene in the water.
With the history teacher.
I know this film by heart.
I've seen "Star Wars"
countless times.
We played
under the living room table.
Our father made us light-sabers.
With Christmas tree lights.
My brother and I used to fight.
We both wanted to be Luke Skywalker.
We also liked the film "Mother".
We'd roll around under the table.
My sister never wanted
to play with us.
She was younger and had her dolls.
Just as we're finishing,
my back starts hurting !
- What ?
- My back hurts.
I'll do the projection booth
before the film ends.
I'm repairing front of the cinema.
That's life !
What else can I do !
Otherwise it'll fall off
on people's heads.
I'm not the owner.
But it's mine for now.
Come on, let me finish here,
then I'll clean the house.
You won't come home
to find a mess. Bye.
My wife !
"Purice, you've gone crazy again !"
- How does it look from down there ?
- Great !
Superb ! Belissima ! Jolie !
If you don't say that,
who else will ?
When I get down I'll tell you
whether it's great or not.
- Come on, Lori !
- Calm down !
- It's no good when it's cold !
- Hot food gives you wrinkles !
Mamma mia, what a feast !
We're eating out !
We work here, eat here...
- Like a picnic !
- Right.
- You sold the tickets, right ?
- Yes.
Go and tear off the tickets.
Let's eat first.
- Want to make a bet ?
- No.
What time is it ?
Want to make a bet ?
What about ? I'm in.
What do you want to bet on ?
I bet I'll finish
painting the sign tonight.
- What time is it ?
- 6:40 p.m.
- Italy, right ?
- Yes.
Good evening, my love.
I'm at the cinema, as always.
I've repaired part of it,
I've set up scaffolding.
It's tough.
I'll be busy
for the next two weeks.
Who else would do it ?
It'd fall on people !
It's raining, I get wet,
then it's sunny. I get wet, cold...
I've not finished the job.
How are the kids ?
Aren't they coming home ?
No ?
Aren't they coming home ?
Why not ?
During the summer holidays,
CINEMA DACIA
will run films for kids at 12 p.m.
You are in charge of this.
- Can they move closer ?
- Of course. The theatre is all theirs.
One-two, one-two.
This is such a treat for me !
And on a fasting day, of all days !
I've heard that you can choose
your own film.
- How many requests are there ?
- Five.
- Seven.
- Seven ? You want a horror film ?
Perhaps later.
We're going to put these requests
into the roosters bag.
He's the mascot
of the International
Children's Film Festival.
One of you can pick out the film
we'll watch this evening.
- Is that OK ?
- Yes !
- I can't hear you ! Is that OK ?
- YES !
Much better !
Let's ask your teacher
to put the requests in the bag.
Once again, it's a real pleasure
to have you here.
My goal
was to bring you all here today,
and to fight for you
to be able to use it.
It's your civic right !
It's not my cinema, it's yours.
It belongs
to everyone in Piatra Neamt.
Read it out loud, young lady.
"Frozen."
"Frozen" ? Is that right ?
You tell me
I'm still young, Alex.
But when you can't sleep,
when you can't relax,
it really affects you.
In your bed...
Because I know that tomorrow
I'll have to meet the same bastards
who make promises
and still ignore you.
Do you know
how much that hurts ?
Slowly, your life passes you by.
I hope you won't end up thinking
like this. But that's the way it goes.
This cinema took up
20 or 30 years of my life.
When people ignore you, it hurts.
It's horrible.
That's life.
You drink a glass of wine,
and feel better,
you go home and drink another glass
and pretend to sleep.
You wake up.
It's hard.
It's hard, my friends.
You cry,
you pull yourself together.
That's how your life
passes through the cinema.
Lord ! I'd love to see it full...
... of people again.
Perhaps they'll remember me.
I'm sorry to cause such a scene.
Why didn't I stay at home ?
That's life.
That's how I spent mine.
- Bogdan, your girlfriend left.
- Fuck off !
- Run after her !
- Don't be stupid !
- Want me to talk to her ?
- Yeah, go after her !
- Hey !
- We'll be back !
Magda, Bogdan likes you !
He said he misses you,
that you're beautiful.
He said
he can't live without you !
He wants to go out with you
but can't ask.
- Really !
- Do you want to go out with him ?
Look at that stupid idiot !
She said you're cute,
she likes you.
- Where's the maestro ?
- Go on, Margi.
I'll sing you a masterpiece.
You should all sing.
Let us sing friends,
for all our hopes and dreams...
- Enjoy the film !
- Thank you.
- Where are the horror movies ?
- Over there.
It's on DVD.
I gave a blanket
to the girl in the skirt.
- Why ?
- She's cold.
She asked if we had any more blankets.
I said we have and I gave her one.
It's horrible when winter comes.
I hate it !
- How was it ?
- Really good. Thanks !
- Hope to see you again.
- Sure, we'd love to.
I changed it !
And it's blown.
Now take the fire back,
on the other side of the wall.
Victor !
Look at the smoke in here !
Look where it's coming from !
- Shall I leave it here ?
- No, put it out and take it outside !
Look where
the smoke came through !
Where there's smoke,
there's heat !
We should set the chairs on fire.
Two chairs every screening.
It's like carrying
a treasure-chest !
Look out !
Don't swallow the torchlight !
I'm not going to look.
25 minutes ?
Perhaps I should look.
It was 11 degrees, right ?
So in half an hour...
The room, not just downstairs.
It rose by 5 degrees.
That's great. It's superb !
I can feel the heat on my leg !
I can really feel it !
- Do you want to see a film tonight ?
- We don't have any money.
What about two-for-one ?
- Tomorrow at 14:00, we'll be here.
- You can choose the film.
I've a surprise for you.
Your old man Victor
fixed the heating for the winter.
There's a section where
50-100 of you can sit.
So we won't be using
blankets so much.
Will you dance, ma'am ?
- Me ?
- Yes, you.
I'm a married man, you know.
Gently !
Want to keep warm ?
Come over here.
Look how much I poured here !
It's too dark !
- This mug is mine !
- All over your shoes !
- Stop poking me with your tits.
- That's my elbow, boss, not my tits !
I want a massage, too !
Are we going to that
romantic town tomorrow ?
No. I've changed my mind.
We're going to the seaside.
No time to waste in Bucharest
and Iasi can wait.
The summer is already here !
I don't like it !
The snow makes me short of breath !
One blanket for two or three people.
So there's enough for everyone.
Take the back seats, too.
Sit in the middle.
That's where the heat comes through.
- Give me the blanket.
- No way !
Here, take this one.
Are your warming yourself at work ?
The audience is shivering
while you're nice and warm ?
It's worse for me.
They're here for two hours.
I'm here for eight.
- You ? Or all of us ?
- You only asked about me !
So, tell me what do you think ?
I think we should put the heater
back in the theatre.
It's not doing its job.
It gives out too little heat
and needs more power.
- Exactly.
- Stops before it has chance to work.
Before,
it could warm about six seats.
- I remember.
- It makes noise, but it's warm.
What we have isn't working.
- You forgot the napkins !
- Yes. Go and get them, I forgot.
The tea will get cold !
Thank you !
It's so cold !
- Can you see your breath ?
- Yes.
An old friend of mine...
No.
He was a cinema apprentice
who worked at a place in Germany,
got me in touch with....
His boss, a friend of his,
wants to meet me.
They invited me there
to see the cinema.
It's a wonderful idea !
I need to pay for the plane tickets.
He'll take care of the rest.
It's fantastic !
Yes.
Fine. Let's speak later.
I just had to tell someone.
See you at work. Bye !
I still don't understand
what you'll be doing in Germany.
- It'll be an exchange.
- Meaning ?
I'm going there to see
how the civilized world does it.
And try to apply it here. It's
different when you're actually there.
I can take pictures...
I can get ideas about
the colors, the design...
Don't worry about us, boss.
We'll manage here.
Come back with really good news !
I have a feeling that this cinema
is next to or inside a castle.
He's showing us his best theatre.
- He has more of them ?
- He has three.
This is another hotel in the center.
- Where are the other cinemas ?
- There are no others.
The other one...
This one here... It was sold off.
- What about a multiplex ?
- No.
- How old are you ?
- 58.
- I'm alright, no ?
- Yes !
- You ? How old ? 56 ? 55 ?
- 54.
Just one layer of fabric.
Carpet !
- Now there are two of us !
- But there are more of us.
Listen, kids, I had some unbelievable
dreams last night.
What did you dream ?
The Bicaz dam burst,
there was water everywhere.
How was the water ?
Muddy or clear ?
- It was water.
- If it's muddy, it's bad.
Clear water is a good omen.
Anyway, your horoscope is good.
The water flooded half the town,
the part with the cinema.
I held on to an antenna
and when the water receded
I came back down.
But the theatre was gone.
If you were there,
you'd have started to cry.
The state of our cinemas
is a tragedy.
They only have classic cinemas
over there.
"The Theatre Cinema".
It was "Panoramic".
They'd preserved everything.
The cinema's name,
written in wrought iron.
Just as it had always been.
They don't change it.
- And was there an audience ?
- There was...
They must have,
because they offer good facilities.
The theatre was three-quarters full
for "The Hobbit".
Which "Hobbit" ?
The last one.
They were already screening it.
And did I mention the seats ?
When I left the hall,
he asked if I enjoyed the film.
"You can take
100 of the seats in January."
"Come and take them,
they're yours."
"Yes, they're yours."
"Give me some time and
I'll get you 200-300 more."
Now I'll have to beg people
to help me bring them over.
Nobody will help me.
Someone offers them...
For free !
I think it's time to put a stop
to all these sacrifices
and stop playing the hero.
Stop wasting our time
and money.
Nobody cares.
It's not worth it.
Who benefits from all our work ?
I don't want to become a poor,
useless pensioner,
who cries
every time he passes this place.
I should call it a day
and move on.
But I could never leave you here
to suffer.
I would not do it.
Either we all leave,
or no one does.
Perhaps with prayer
and with God's help...
It'd hurt me deeply to know
that you're still here, suffering.
Daydreaming like I used to,
hoping that things will improve.
Thank you very much. Enjoy the film
and enjoy your tea !
We left the tea-bags in.
They even stopped
using 35mm film...
The boss told me...
Two, no, three years ago...
He changed a drum
of the projector.
And he said we had enough spare parts
to last until I retire.
And in the meantime,
film disappeared.
It didn't disappear...
If the boss hadn't bought
this video projector...
- What we'd have done ?
- I don't want to think about it !
It was a stroke of genius.
This is real music !
I'm young again !
- Victor, don't move !
- I won't.
Stay there...
Right now,
we're investigating the situation.
I was honestly not aware
of this situation.
Our goal right now
is to save cinema theatres.
It's hard to say how we'll do this.
We only started a month ago.
We're still waiting for documents
regarding the status of the cinemas.
Anyone can turn up
holding a piece of paper,
as you know yourself.
I'm sorry you couldn't bring
those seats to Romania.
If I had known,
I would have helped you.
And my colleagues,
because it's been very chaotic
they went everywhere,
looking for answers,
hearing they'd be sold or closed.
I've lost faith in the unions,
in other people, in everything.
I decided to come here
to find out for myself.
I appreciate the time and effort
involved in coming to Bucharest.
I think
we see things the same way.
I can't make any promises,
but we'll try.
We have the same objectives.
God willing, something good
will come out of this.
- What have you found ?
- "Rio Bravo" !
Western... John Wayne.
And it's CinemaScope, black and white.
Fantastic !
You know how old this is ?
Look, it's glued
just like they used to.
Film rolls brought so much joy
and happiness.
This is the stuff ! Not digital.
Follow the line.
How many are there ?
One, two, three, four.
- So ? It's perfect, right ?
- Yes.
- Can I do it ?
- Try it.
Not like that. That's right.
Don't touch the picture side.
- Can you see the perforations ?
- Yes !
Look at the bottom ones.
- They're not aligned.
- They're not.
That's right !
Now look at the continuity
of the perforations.
Can you see any mismatch
between the two sides ?
- No.
- Ok. Now we use this.
Let's see...
Then we blow on it a little.
Done !
- Won't it come unstuck ?
- No.
700 people would be waiting
in the cinema.
I'd come from the train station
with the film.
There were no taxis back then.
I carried it in my backpack.
We still have that backpack !
They were so excited to see me.
"Victor is here with the film !"
That was the beauty of it.
They greeted you like a king.
Let me sing you the story of my life.
I feel it's passing me by.
People call me a drifter.
They sneer and say:
"I know him, he's a bad man,
who doesn't know what love is."
All he ever loved in his life is...
Cinema.
I never heard you sing before.
But you know, it's not true.
Nobody knows what my life's been like.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
But it's not true. Nobody knows
what my life's been like.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
What about you, what about me,
what about you.
If you get to know me,
you'll see I'm a kind person.
I love life too,
and want to cut my own path.
I hate people who've only done
wrong in life.
I hate myself,
for I too have done wrong...
But you know, it's not true.
Nobody knows what my life's been like.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
I'm a tough old dog,
and I don't care a thing for myself.
What about you, what about me,
what about you.
And I can't do it no more,
look at my fingers !