FJORD
Fjord by Cristian Mungiu: a matter of perspective
Almost twenty years after his Palme d’or for the outstanding 4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days), Romanian director Cristian Mungiu is part of the Competition again with Fjord, his first foreign-language film. The Norwegian scenery sets the stage for this new feature film. A picturesque Scandinavia is quickly shredded to pieces by the filmmaker.
Fjord tells the story of the Gheorghius, a devout Romanian-Norwegian couple who move to a village in the middle of a fjord (a typical Norwegian narrow sea inlet, surrounded by steep mountain cliffs). They quickly befriend their neighbors and their children become close as well, despite their different upbringing. However, their lives will be turned upside down when a teacher notices bruises on one of the children. The community wonders whether the Gheorghius’ traditional education could be a factor here.
Played by Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice) and Renate Reinsve (Affeksjonsverdi (Sentimental Value)), the couple is confronted with a progressive culture, which they don’t value and in which one slap, however rare, equals abuse and a prison threat. They form a mysterious duo in a snowy atmosphere that recalls Anatomie d’une chute (Anatomy of a Fall) by Justine Triet, 2023 Palme d’or.
As a matter of fact, the film also becomes a court room drama, where the parents are on trial, claiming they love their children, but hold onto their mostly questionable conservative and repressive values. Opposite them, the accusers are personified by members of Child Services who stigmatize the family’s religious opinions and ignore the defense’s arguments while flouting fundamental democratic principles.
In this delicate, intimate drama, Cristian Mungiu, raises questions about community living and points the finger at society’s polarization, which is getting increasingly more radical, leading us to forget the importance of doubt.
