THE WAY I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD/AFS

I vividly remember watching the footage of the tyrant Nicolae Ceausescus and his wife being executed in 1989 (on Christmas Day no less) and thinking "man, those Romanians must be so happy and relieved,  wishing that their relatives who had passed on could have lived to see this."  I also made note that the televising of this event on their national TV was a clue to me that this was a very different culture that I knew little about.  Once again AFS brings this era to an audience (pretty full down at the Alamo S. Lamar) by way of a beautiful film, directed by Catelin Mitulesco.  The year is 1989 and the story is told by a young boy (7-8) and his 17y.o. beautiful and intelligent sister.  If casting and set design can make a movie then this is award worthy. Daily life, the warmth and closeness  between generations and the comfort level of families living under close conditions and tyrannical rule makes this film so appealing.  While the world is so dark the people are so colorful and it left me feeling like I wanted to meet them.  And when their dictator is brought down you can't help but feel their joy, their relief and you want to hug them.  We just loved this film about adolescence with its universal coming of age issues, usual family conflict, and a little boy who makes you laugh, cry, and be happy that you're given the chance to see Romania through his loving eyes.  Not only did Chale hand out great historical notes, we also got a map!