10/10/2012 - The director's first fiction feature is set in an imaginary communist country, Miranda

Known for his documentaries, Thomas Ciulei (The Flower Bridge) has finished shooting his first fiction feature, 2 + 2. Produced by Europolis Film and Ciulei Film, the project belongs to a less popular genre in Romanian new wave, namely satire.

Set in a fictional communist country, Miranda, 2 + 2 explores the misadventures of two best friends, Oscar and Tony. One is a famous actor, the other a film director, and both are fed up with the problems they have to face because of the country's communist dictatorship. Trying to escape abroad, the two friends are caught and make a deal in order to avoid the death penalty: they have to make an advert about Mirandaworld, a theme park in which foreigners, bored by their democratic and consumerist societies, can experiment the 'Mirandian' way of life, dominated by the frightening Secret Police. Of course, the local authorities hope the park will bring in enough revenue to save the country from bankruptcy...

The screenplay was written by Ciulei together with Hungarian screenwriter Akos Gerstner and Marius Weber. The films stars Cornel Scripcaru, Marius Manole, Mihai Calota, Gabriel Spahiu and Razvan Vasilescu. The DoP is Adrian Silisteanu.

According to Ciulei, memories of communism are still present in Romanian society, even after more than two decades since the 1989 revolution and, through comedy, they can be accessed more easily. “Humor becomes the supreme weapon of story-telling, helping bring to light the traumas of a totalitarian society obsessed with control,” the director said.

2 + 2, formerly known as The Show Must Go On, received a €250,000 grant from the National Film Centre. The film is expected to be released in Romania during 2013.