Collective

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Collective

Released Nov 20, 2020

1h 49m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

134 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Directed by Alexander Nanau (TOTO AND HIS SISTERS), COLLECTIVE follows a heroic team of journalists as they uncover shocking, widespread corruption. After a deadly nightclub fire, the mysterious death of the owner of a powerful pharmaceutical firm, and the quiet resignation of a health minister—seemingly unrelated events, all within weeks of each other--the team of intrepid reporters exposes a much larger, much more explosive political scandal. COLLECTIVE is a fast-paced, real-time detective story about truth, accountability, and the value of an independent press in partisan times.

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Critics Consensus

Collective presents a darkly effective overview of the cycle of political corruption and public cynicism that takes hold when government abrogates its responsibility to the people.

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

If the film were merely a hymn to the everyday heroism of the press, it would risk becoming one-dimensional... So it's a good thing Nanau gives some space to a couple of memorable figures who represent different sides of the story.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 7, 2021

Full Review

Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

Collective is eye-opening, elegiac, and essential. It suggests, or at least hopes, that the only thing more powerful than political corruption is the collective voice of those trying to stop it.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 2, 2021

Full Review

Anna Smith

Deadline Hollywood Daily

This distressing documentary has relevance way beyond Romania, making it a must-watch for awards season and beyond.

Mar 11, 2021

Full Review

Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

Watching Collective is not unlike reading a Michael Crichton page-turner.

Jul 26, 2023

Full Review

Alessandra Rangel

InSession Film

Collective is a worthy addition to the genre of investigative journalism...

Rated: A

Mar 20, 2023

Full Review

Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

It isn’t just a documentary. It is a crime investigated in real-time and the push for accountability and reform to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

Mar 6, 2023

Full Review

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Fong Kok Hoong F

Captured in real time, director Alexander Nanau follows sports journalist Cătălin Tolontan and a newly-minted Minister of Health Vlad Voiculescu down the rabbit hole into the heart of corruption at Romanian healthcare system in this disturbingly hard-hitting nominee for both Documentary Feature and International Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolutely astonishing display of the importance of investigative journalism and the utter betrayal a government can commit on its citizens. With an attention to detail and a sense of pacing and narrative similar to the drama Spotlight, Collective is as thrilling as it is devastating. A must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Tony S

A relevant issue how system polices the system itself, prevailing mutually assured corruption. Displaying almost inhuman levels of faceless cynicism, with no actual political grandstanding or "experts" talking directly into camera. This of course, doesn't prevent a certain part of the world to immediately project, long hauled corruption in the Eastern Europe onto their own dissatisfaction with their government, pretending it's the same thing because "if it can't be about me, it might as well doesn't exist". Good job America. What should be immensely admired is director's transparent insight into both news room and ministry cabinet, especially, when you consider the clash of interest this would cause, since it all was happening simultaneously.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/10/21

Full Review

david f

This documentary focuses mostly on a corruption scandal involving disinfectants sold to hospitals by a Romanian chemical company in the wake of a deadly club fire that led to protests and the fall of a government. It is very fly-on-the-wall without much background beyond the minimum but it is quite riveting and very interesting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Heartbreaking and insightful

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

tom e

Compelling investigation of corruption following a tragic fire in Romania but could easily have taken place in many countries including the Untied States. Remember that journalists have uncovered many governmental and corporate crimes against us, we the people. I have always enjoyed this theme from All the King's Men to Spotlight.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Alexander Nanau

Director

Alexander Nanau

Writer

Antoaneta Opris

Writer

Hanka Kastelicová

Producer

Bernard Michaux

Producer

Alexander Nanau

Producer

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Collective: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Directed by Alexander Nanau (TOTO AND HIS SISTERS), COLLECTIVE follows a heroic team of journalists as they uncover shocking, widespread corruption. After a deadly nightclub fire, the mysterious death of the owner of a powerful pharmaceutical firm, and the quiet resignation of a health minister—seemingly unrelated events, all within weeks of each other--the team of intrepid reporters exposes a much larger, much more explosive political scandal. COLLECTIVE is a fast-paced, real-time detective story about truth, accountability, and the value of an independent press in partisan times.

Director: Alexander Nanau
Producer: Hanka Kastelicová, Bernard Michaux, Alexander Nanau, Bianca Oana
Screenwriter: Alexander Nanau, Antoaneta Opris
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Alexander Nanau Production, Samsa Film, HBO Europe
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Romanian
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2020
Runtime: 1h 49m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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