Closer to the Moon
| Closer to the Moon | |
|---|---|
 Romanian theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Nae Caranfil |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | Nae Caranfil |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Laurent Couson |
| Cinematography | Marius Panduru |
| Edited by |
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Production company |
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| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5 million[1] |
Closer to the Moon (Romanian: Mai aproape de lună) is a 2014 comedy-drama film written and directed by Nae Caranfil and starring Vera Farmiga, Mark Strong, Harry Lloyd, Joe Armstrong and Anton Lesser.[2] Based on a true story, it is one of the most expensive productions in Romanian cinema.[3]
Closer to the Moon premiered at the Making Waves: New Romanian Cinema Festival at Lincoln Center on November 29, 2013. Variety called the film "a surprisingly entertaining black comedy."[4] The film was released in Romania on March 7, 2014 and was given a limited release in the United States on April 17, 2015. The film will also be released theatrically in the United Kingdom in 2015.
Plot
Bucharest 1959. A spectacular National Bank of Romania heist has the country in an uproar. In post-war Communist Romania it is an unimaginable slap in the face to the iron fisted authorities. Four men and a woman (The Ioanid Gang) are arrested, tried, convicted and while waiting for their execution, they are forced by the Securitate to star in a propaganda film about the crime. All five protagonists were heroes of the resistance during the Second World War and highly placed members of Romanian society. They clearly knew they would be caught and executed.
Cast
- Vera Farmiga as Alice Bercovich
- Mark Strong as Max Rosenthal
- Harry Lloyd as Virgil
- Anton Lesser as Holban
- Joe Armstrong as Răzvan Orodel
- Christian McKay as Iorgu Ristea
- Tim Plester as Dumitru "Dumi" Dorneanu
- Stuart McQuarrie as Dumitru Dămăceanu
- Monica Bîrlădeanu as Sonia Rosenthal
- Martin Hancock as Prosecutor
- Allan Corduner as Flaviu
- John Henshaw as Judge
- Gwyneth Keyworth as Lidia
- Paul Jesson as Studio Manager
- Frances Cuka as Sarah
- Marcin Walewski as Mirel Bercovich
- Darrell D'Silva as Minister
- Grant Gillespie as TV Host
Production
The film was written and directed by Nae Caranfil, and produced by Michael Fitzgerald, Denis Friedman, Renata Rainieri, Alessandro Leone and Bobby Paunescu through the production company Mandragora Movies. In August 2011, it was announced that Vera Farmiga and Mark Strong had been cast in leading roles as Alice and Max Rosenthal, respectively.[5] Later that month, it was reported that Harry Lloyd had joined the cast in the role of Virgil.[6] The rest of the cast consisted of Anton Lesser, Joe Armstrong, Christian McKay, Monica Bîrlădeanu, John Henshaw, Gwyneth Keyworth and Stuart McQuarrie. Principal photography took place in Bucharest, Romania in late 2011. The production budget of the film has been estimated to be approximately US$5 million or €4.4 million.[1]
Release
The film was premiered on November 29, 2013 at the Making Waves: New Romanian Cinema Festival in the Lincoln Center, before being released in Romanian cinemas on March 7, 2014. It was then released in Poland on March 13, 2015,[7] and in the United States by IFC Films on April 17, 2015.[8] The film will be released theatrically by Neo (New Entertainment Organization) in the United Kingdom some time in 2015.[7]
Reception
Critical response
The film received mostly mixed to positive reviews from film critics. Ronnie Scheib, of Variety, said: "A strange but true Romanian bank robbery provides inspiration for this darkly comic tale of history and its myriad interpretations. Shot in English with a namely British and American cast, this surprisingly entertaining black comedy could connect with American [audiences]."[9] John DeFore, of The Hollywood Reporter, wrote: "Though based on a true story, the film discards some of its claim to authenticity right off the bat, casting Brits and Americans in all the leads and having them speak English instead of Romanian; later, it will have trouble establishing the gang's motives for a crime they all but knew would lead to their execution. Stateside potential is modest for the semi-convincing yet enjoyable tale, relying on familiar names in a cast that acquits itself well given the demands of the unusual plot."[10]
Tara Karajica, of Altcine.com, wrote: "As far as the acting is concerned, the cast, mainly British and comprisedof Vera Farmiga, Mark Strong, Harry Lloyd among many others, is evenly exceptional. The technical details as well as Doina Levinta's costumes and the choice of music are also top-notch. All in all, Closer to the Moon, with its tragico-burlesque tone, stellar cast and Caranfil's new and uncompromising vision is a bold, edifying and marvelous history lesson as well as a courageous contribution not only to the Romanian New Wave but also to cinema in general."[11]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Gopo Awards[12] | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Vera Farmiga | Nominated |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Mark Strong | Nominated | ||
| Harry Lloyd | Nominated | |||
| Best Directing | Nae Caranfil | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Won | |||
| Best Film | Bobby Paunescu, Michael Fitzgerald, Renata Rainieri, Alessandro Leone, Denis Friedman | Won | ||
| Best Music | Laurent Couson | Won | ||
| Best Cinematography | Marius Panduru | Won | ||
| Best Costume Design | Doina Levintza | Won | ||
| Best Hair & Makeup | Laura Ozier, Elena Tudor, Lucas Coulon, Andreescu Maria | Won | ||
| Best Sound | Florin Tabacaru, Alexandru Demitru, Marius Leftarache | Won | ||
| Best Editing | Catalin Cristutiu, Larry Madaras, Roberto Silvi | Won |
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Blaga, Iulia (May 29, 2014). "FNE at TIFF 2014: Closer to the Moon". Film New Europe.
- ↑ "Closer to the Moon (2013)" (in Romanian). Cinemagia. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ Dobroiu, Stefan (March 5, 2014). "Romania hooks up with Hollywood to get Closer to the Moon". Cineuropa.
- ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (December 6, 2013). "Film Review: "Closer to the Moon'"". Variety. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ Fleming Jr., Mike (August 9, 2011). "Vera Farmiga, Mark Strong Star In 'Closer To The Moon'". Deadline.
- ↑ Adams, Nathan (August 31, 2011). "'Game of Thrones' Actor Harry Lloyd Joins the Already Stellar Cast of 'Closer to the Moon'". Film School Rejects.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Barraclough, Leo (February 11, 2015). "Berlin: New U.K. Distributor Neo Picks Up 'Closer to the Moon,' 'Perfect Obedience'". Variety.
- ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (April 3, 2015). "Exclusive: Trailer And Poster For 'Closer To The Moon' Starring Vera Farmiga And Mark Strong". The Playlist - Indiewire.
- ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (December 6, 2013). "'Closer to the Moon' Review: Nae Caranfil's Black Comedy". Variety.
- ↑ DeFore, John (December 7, 2013). "Closer to the Moon: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ Karajica, Tara (June 7, 2014). "TIFF 2014 - Closer to the Moon: A wonderful and bold revision of Romanian History". Altcine.
- ↑ "Nominalizarile celei de a 9-a editii a Premiilor Gopo" (in Romanian). Premiile Gopo. March 3, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2015.