12:08 East of Bucharest
Directed by Corneliu Porumboiu

Review by Christina Polizoto

“12:08 East of Bucharest,” the feature debut from director Corneliu Porumboiu, centers on the 1989 fall of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. It was then, at 12:08 p.m. on December 22nd, that the entire country watched on television as the dictator was forced to flee Bucharest by helicopter on the heels of public revolution. “12:08” places us 16 years later, a bit farther from where angry crowds brought about change, in a quiet, small town east of the famous capital.

Jderescu (Teodor Corban), the owner of a local television station, is intent on assembling a panel to speak on the anniversary. When his desired guests cancel at the last minute, he is forced to call in some less-esteemed replacements: Manescu (Ion Sapdaru), a professor with nagging gambling debts and a drinking problem, and Piscoci (Mircea Andreescu), seemingly chosen only for his old age. The topic of the panel is whether or not the town was involved in the revolution, and the two guests describe the town as it was in the hours and minutes prior to 12:08. Manescu believes he led the town’s revolution, taking to the town square with friends while shouting “Down with Ceausescu!” But the show’s callers refute each of Manescu’s claims, as Piscoci recalls his own experiences on the 22nd as he prepared for Christmas.

The History Channel: Teodor Corban, Mircea Andreescu and Ion Sapdaru appear on a low-budget TV show to debate their town’s role in a historical event in “12:08 East of Bucharest.”

“12:08” is a subtly brilliant, funny, and touching look at the desperate need to be part of something revolutionary. There are few things in the world as awkward as a low-budget television show, and 12:08 captures the humor of this perfectly. Andreescu is particularly side-splitting. He merely needs to stare into the camera to make us laugh. Sapdaru is also wonderfully charming as the down-on-his-luck professor trying to claim a piece of history. The film’s subtlety comes not only from its comedic points, but also an unexpectedly touching element. Although the two guests are made to look foolish, Porumboiu never wavers in his sympathy for the wannabe heroes.

In a touching conclusion, Picoci describes the events of the day not from a historical viewpoint, but a personal one, as he lived out a normal day with his now-deceased wife while the fate of the country was being redirected due west at 12:08. “12:08 East of Bucharest” is a must-see film for its boundless charm and understated observation.