There is more than a touch of magical realism in the connection of K, the 12 grade protagonist of the film, trapped in the last years of Ceausescu's "golden era" and iconic Roman poet Ovid, (the protagonist's larger than life alter ego in the film, perhaps ) exiled in the year 8AD, from Rome to the the ancient city of Tomis, on the Black sea. (current day Romania).
Despite the relentless propaganda of Caesar Octavian Augustus, that tried "to sell" to the Roman people, his 41 years reign as the "golden era" of the "Republic", Caesar era was one of brutal repression, political assassinations and intimidation.
A well thought scene that caught my attention shows one suggestive gesture of the Latin teacher that suddenly seem to be descending into an inner looking mode as she observes as bird -that we as audience, hear somewhere off camera - as she discusses about freedom (or lack off during Augustus's reign 2000 years ago and indirectly commenting on the oppression on Romania at the time of the story,in the 80's ) during the Latin class.
Ovid's is haunted by the obsession to return in secret to his beloved Rome and enlists the local support of K, charismatic and capable of improvisation, but who will have to overcame both, the fear of such a radical action and the fact he's broke, in order to outwit the Romanian Establishment.
Witty satire of the 80's Socialist regime in Romania as the film has abundant mordant irony ? Hypnotic fable? An ingenious and lyrical fantasy comedy? Probably somewhere at the intersection of these 3 genres.
"I came, I saw, I fled" is a well crafted film which I highly recommend!
Despite the relentless propaganda of Caesar Octavian Augustus, that tried "to sell" to the Roman people, his 41 years reign as the "golden era" of the "Republic", Caesar era was one of brutal repression, political assassinations and intimidation.
A well thought scene that caught my attention shows one suggestive gesture of the Latin teacher that suddenly seem to be descending into an inner looking mode as she observes as bird -that we as audience, hear somewhere off camera - as she discusses about freedom (or lack off during Augustus's reign 2000 years ago and indirectly commenting on the oppression on Romania at the time of the story,in the 80's ) during the Latin class.
Ovid's is haunted by the obsession to return in secret to his beloved Rome and enlists the local support of K, charismatic and capable of improvisation, but who will have to overcame both, the fear of such a radical action and the fact he's broke, in order to outwit the Romanian Establishment.
Witty satire of the 80's Socialist regime in Romania as the film has abundant mordant irony ? Hypnotic fable? An ingenious and lyrical fantasy comedy? Probably somewhere at the intersection of these 3 genres.
"I came, I saw, I fled" is a well crafted film which I highly recommend!