Synopsis
A Trip to the City, the school short that won Porumboiu a prize at Cannes in 2004, a jewel shot in colour film, brings together elements that the director was to use in his future films both thematically and visually.
Directed by: Corneliu Porumboiu
Script by: Corneliu Porumboiu
Cast: Constantin Diţă, Ion Sapdaru, Teodor Corban
Producer: UNATC
Cinematography by: Bogdan Tălpeanu
Edited by: Roxana Szel
Sound: Alexandru Dragomir
Music: Zdob si Zdub
Year: 2003
Category: short film
Genre: Comedy
Duration: 19 minutes
127,958 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
A teacher and a driver have to go to the city to buy a computer with internet access as well as a toilet seat for the mayor.
WHAT CRITICS SAY:
“In between the short euphoria suffused in alcohol that was Pe aripile vinului and the medium-length film Visul lui Liviu, Corneliu Porumboiu directed Călătorie la oraş, a student short awarded in Cannes. It’s not a first draft film, as was Pe aripile vinului (that was not so much cool as it was al-cohol – T.N. Romanian pun), and it’s not as serious or as elaborate as Visul lui Liviu. This film is solely about the need for a toilet seat and for Internet in the village and this is the reason for which the action is relocated to the city. And it’s not just any city, but one which is celebrating 854 years since its’ establishment. What makes Porumboiu cool – and he should move on to a feature as soon as possible – is not necessarily his effortless sense of humour, but the way in which he has already built an easily recognizable universe. But if I had to put my finger on something in particular, I’d definitely go for the short dialogue between the city secretary and the village teacher who wants to buy a computer: “Where’s the unit?”, “The military unit?”.”(Mihai Chirilov, Re:Publik mai 2005)
AWARDS:
- 2004 – Montpellier – Grand Prix for Best Short
- 2004 – Kerry – Special Prize of the Jury
- 2004 – Anonimul – Best Director
- 2004 – Cannes – 2nd Prize (Cinéfondation Competition)
- 2003 – CineMAiubit Student Film Festival.
