Released 8 September 2008

Directed by Cristian Nemescu
Romania / 2007 / Fiction / colour /155 mins / Romanian and English dialogues, with English subtitles
With: Armand Assante, Razvan Vasilescu, Jamie Elman; Maria Dinulescu, Ion Sapdaru, Alex Margineanu, Andi Vasluianu

DVD released through Artificial Eye

Synopsis:
A stubborn station master confronts a NATO mission.
In 1999, a NATO train transporting military equipment is stopped in the middle of nowhere by the overzealous and overtly anti-American chief of a train station in Romania. The transport, supervised by American soldiers, is crossing Romania without official documents, based only on the verbal approval of the Romanian government. Set against the backdrop of the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the film explores the impact that the arrival of the American soldiers has on the tiny village community: historical experience, corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency and romantic interest concur in a mayhem battle of wills with tragic consequences for the village but not for the Americans. At the end of five intense days, the train resumes its journey leaving behind broken hearts, shattered dreams and a civil war.

A cinematic tour de force, as well as a poignant and hilarious comment on parochialism, intercultural clashes, and Romania’s long-term fascination with America.

“California Dreamin’ is an epic satire, with both modern-day Romania and US foreign policy firmly in its sights”. (Nick Roddick, London Film Festival)

Awards: ‘Un Certain Regard’ Award, Cannes 2007; Satyajit Ray Prize, 51st Times London Film Festival 2007

‘California Dreamin’ (Endless)’ is still shown in selected cinemas. For full list of dates and cinemas, go to www.artificial-eye.com/californiadreamin/where.php

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