FILM THREE: "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days" (2008)
Winner of the prestigious 2007 Palm d'Or, the film which tackles teenage abortion was directed and produced by Cristian Mungiu. Set on the dying days of Communist Romania, "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days" achieves perfectly what one is to expect from a foreign-language film: a mirror into the soul that links us all. In Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) we are introduced to the thinking mind of a young woman who becomes her friend's (Gabita) only hope out of an abortion. Both actresses shine as naive yet tough-thinking women trapped in a circumstance that is new to them and one that will have dire consequences even if it cements their complicated friendship.
Through it all though, Olitia has grown up and starts to envision a future whereas Gabita retreads into herself. We see the naked truth lurking through actions and Mungiu lays it all on the line in a non-judgmental way. Yet, one cannot watch this masterpiece and view the issue of abortion the same again nor view the grimy contacts and values being eroded as merely essential to build this plot. No, we're witnessing the lives of millions of women around the world and the pain and ultimate personal price being paid.
