AFI FEST - FIRST OF ALL, FELICIA aka FELICIA INAINTE DE TOATE (review)

Felicia's departure day (after the annual visit to her family in Bucharest) is, as always, very tight: Felicia starts packing too late, mother offers an elaborate breakfast and father fears that he will not live to see his daughter again. On top, Iulia calls to say she will not be in time to give her sister a lift to the airport. As the taxi drives through the jammed streets of Bucharest, Felicia and her mother realize they will never be in time for the flight. While trying to rebook her ticket, Felicia is confronted with her two families : her ex-husband and her child in Holland, expecting her to come back in time - and her father and sister, who are both trying to be helpful in their peculiar ways.

Written and Directed by Razvan Radulescu, Melissa de Raaf
Starring : Ozana Oancea, Vasile Mentzel, Ileana Cernat, Adina Andrei

This Romanian/French/Belgian/Croatian co-production is a charming art-house flick that also contains great dramatic moments focusing on family. While the plot and the camera-work are simple and it inarguably contains a European pace, there are many positive elements to be had here. The problems that Felicia encounters while trying to leave Bucharest also provide an interesting commentary on the state of her country. Ozana Oancea shines in her performance as the daughter who may have too many regrets, while Ileana Cernat adds levity as the passive-aggressive, quirky mother. Their chemistry is what makes this movie work.