4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

Set in 1987 against the backdrop of communist Romania, this film tells the harrowing story of two young women, risking their futures for the possibility of a better future.

University student Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) has fallen pregnant. Single and unmarried, she feels she would bring shame on her family by having the baby. Her only possibility for redemption is an abortion. The only trouble is, under the communist government, abortion is a capital offence, punishable with a lengthy prison sentence at best, at worst, the death penalty.

Desperate, Gabita turns to her flatmate, Otilia (Anamaria Marinca), for help. Against her better judgment, Otilia agrees to help her, concerned more with the welfare of her close friend than her own freedom.

Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) and boyfriend Ali (Alex Potocean).

Between the two of them, they manage to save enough money to pay for an illegal abortion, renting a hotel room for three nights to allow for not only the procedure, but any necessary recovery time. Otilia even borrows a large sum of money from her boyfriend, Ali (Alex Potocean), but is unwilling to tell him what the money is actually for.

Despite several hurdles the pair need to overcome - mostly due to Gabita's naivety and lack of understanding - they procure the services of abortion expert Viorel Bebe (Vlad Ivanov), a horrible man who has incredibly strict requirements, and demands even more money than the two girls have at their disposal, forcing them to make an even more difficult decision.

Not only that, but Otilia has made dinner plans with Ali and his family, and is unable to be there at Gabita's side during her traumatic recovery and grieving process.

Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) and Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) with friends.

The screenplay, by director Cristian Mungiu, is exceptionally well-constructed. The film does not let up for a moment in its tension and sense of foreboding. The friendship between Gabita and Otilia lies at the heart of the film, and ultimately brings the film hurtling towards its heartbreaking conclusion. All of the characters - including the minor ones - have more than their fair share of conflicts, both internal and external. The structure of the film has been meticulously planned, making the most of every moment; not a single frame of film is wasted.

Mihaela Poenaru's production design is beautiful in its bleakness. The setting and time period of the story is clearly established and maintained throughout with excellent set design, conveying so much more than the story alone.

The costume design - courtesy of Dana Istrate - also adds to the reality of the time period and location. While there are not many characters involved in the story, and the majority of the film takes place over the course of only one afternoon and evening, each and every costume has been beautifully designed and executed, lacing every moment and shot with the reality of the film's depressing setting.

Bebe (Vlad Ivanov), Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) and Gabita (Laura Vasiliu).

But where this film truly shines is in its cinematography. Oleg Mutu can only be described as a genius, with exceptional ability in framing and shot composition. The film is comprised almost exclusively of long shots - not long in the sense of distance from the action, but long in the sense of each shot's duration. Almost every shot goes for much, much longer than most cinematographers - and indeed directors and even audiences - might feel comfortable with. Of course, the uncomfortable nature of these long, stationary shots makes this film what it is; the last thing audiences ought to feel while watching this film is comfort. Indeed, the majority of the shots last for the maximum amount of time that a single reel of film will allow.

The use of this technique also means the performances and talent of the cast need to be at their peak. Fortunately, they are; the cast are able to inhabit their roles in a much deeper, more realistic, way, with takes lasting as long as they do. The clear standouts of the film are undoubtedly Marinca (as Otilia) and Ivanov (as the dark, disturbing Bebe). In fact, the entire cast are amazing, but these two in particular give more than most other actors could even begin to imagine.

Director Cristian Mungiu provides a deeply disturbing insight into a particular period in Romania's history, at the same time presenting what may appear to be nothing more than the story of two close friends. I was personally moved by this film years ago when I saw it on the big screen, and continue to be moved by it upon every subsequent viewing. If you haven't seen it, it is worth watching, but be warned, it isn't a film for the faint of heart.

9 out of 10.