NYFF 2016 // A FILM REVIEW OF "SIERANEVADA
Cristi Puiu, who first came into success with his 2005 film The Death of Mr. Lazarescu has written and directed the epic three hour long SIERANEVADA. Despite the very long running time, I believe it may be his finest film to date, and one that I suspect will be quite divisive with audiences. The style of the may not be for everyone. Characters come and go and are rarely introduced in a traditional sort of way. Often the camera sits as silent observer in the room, lingering with conversations until moving on to another part of the house. And often there are so many people within the shots it may enrage some. However I found it fascinating, enthralling, and entirely original.
Much of the action is set in one apartment and plays in (almost) real time. A reference to the Charlie Hebdo attacks happening three days before lets us know when the action is taking place and we are off and (slowly) running. The first hour of the film revolves around a family waiting at a cramped apartment for a priest to arrive. Within the Eastern Orthodox tradition, 40 days is the length that a soul needs to clean up his earthly business and see God. After 40 days, a priest will visit the home of the deceased and he blesses the belongings. We sit with the family as they casually talk, bicker, and experience the loss of Emil. There are arguments with couples (one of the wives wants to get out of there as soon as possible), one relative has some serious thoughts on 9/11 conspiracies, another wife is haunted (so to speak), and there's a lot of arguing over a parking spot. If that sounds like a bunch of fragmented, not connecting sentences, it sort of it. And that's why it works. Most conversations we have daily, especially with family, are disjointed, random at best, and that's often how the film feels. But it's always grounded in truth and is fascinating to watch.
The entire ensemble cast are fantastic, grounded by Mimi Branescu's Lary, our window into the world, and the camera work by Barbu Balasoiu truly makes us feel like we are experiencing every moment with them. SIERANEVADA is unusual, charming, often very funny, and touching. Settling in and enjoy the ride.