Synopsis
A border town on the Danube, 1944. One of the German officers is killed by the partisans. The responsible is caught and killed. His body is thrown into the village and nobody is allowed to bury it. Anastasia refuses to obey the order.
Directed by: Alexandru Tatos
Script: Dumitru Radu Popescu
Cast: Anda Onesa, Amza Pellea, Tark Laszlo, Levente Bíró, Cristian Ghiță, Cătălin Ciornei, Imola Gáspár, Răzvan Onesa
Producers: Sideriu Aurian
Cinematography by: Florin Mihailescu
Edited by: Yolanda Mintulescu
Sound: Horea Murgu
Muzică: Lucian Metianu
Year: 1980
Category: feature film
Genre: Drama
Duration: 94 minutes
97,953 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
Based on a novel by D.R. Popescu. In a village on the Danube’s shore, Romanian and Serbian partisans harass the German army. A shot Serbian partisan is displayed in the middle of the village, burial prohibited under threat of death. Anastasia, a young teacher, decides to bury him and, despite the attempts of the village dignitaries to stop her, she carries out her plan successfully. The following night, the mayor’s men kill her, throwing her into a closet.
AWARDS
- 1980 – Karlovy Vary – Best Actress Award (Anda Onesa)
DIRECTOR ABOUT THE MOVIE
“I was particularly interested in the issue of Power: of the totalitarian power that is established and due to the cowardice/complicity of those who will support it.”
“In the story of the teacher who sacrifices herself to bury a stranger, I was especially interested in the issue of Power: of the totalitarian power that is established and due to cowardice — and thereby the complicity of those who will support it.”
“I believe I have achieved the most rounded, deepest film, that I have entered a higher stage of my quest, surpassing in form and substance, the other films, which have earned their adherence through their authenticity (I won’t talk about professionalism, because that is obligatory); I have tried to bring into discussion profound, current, and at the same time, eternally valid issues.” (Cinema Summer Magazine, 1981)
CRITICAL REVIEW
“Anastasia is the contrasting element to the silence that resembles suicide through cowardice. The role of Anastasia entrusted to Anda Onesa is extremely difficult. She succeeds better in moments of lyrical intensity, childish stubbornness, or the restlessness and anguish of loneliness.” – Alice Mănoiu – 1980 (Cinema).
LINES
“Whoever doesn’t give two cents for death doesn’t give a franc for life.”
TRIVIA
- For the role of Costaiche, the director’s initial intention was to cast Victor Rebengiuc, and auditions for Anastasia included, among other actresses, Mariana Buruiană.
- At the start of production, the set design was supposed to be by Aurel Ionescu, who at one point claims to be too busy, and after some negotiations with Dan Jitianu, Tatos opts for the newcomer Andrei Both.
- In the credits, the costume painter Svetlana Mihăilescu appears under the name Svetlana Șchiopu.
ARTICLES
- Anastasia Gently Passes (Alexandru Tatos, 1979) – Mihai Gîndu – blogdefilm.ro
- Anastasia seemed to never be “born” again – Alexandru Tatos – 1980 – aarc.ro
- „Anastasia Gently Passes” – cronică cinematografică – Natalia Stancu – 1980 – aarc.ro
This premiere is part of a national archive project supported by the Romanian National Film Centre.
Special thanks goes to the Romanian Filmmakers Union and to the Romanian Film Archive.
