Audience Member
This film has the hallmarks of a good documentary. The strength of the characters and plot draws the viewer in personally. It also lingers with you long after you watch it. Life in the Romanian ghetto has rarely been exposed, if ever. I wondered how such footage was procured by the director, especially that in court and at the parole hearings. There must have been a lot of "brown bag" money used.
This film seems more about Toto's 14 year old sister Andreea than anyone else. With uncles, mother and sister as junkies, she is mature enough to realize that heroin has destroyed any fabric of family she has and takes action to save herself and her 10 year old brother Toto.
The mother and uncles of the protagonists are characters to be despised and are the true cancers of the Romanian ghetto. Their devastating impact on these poor children takes its toll on 17 year old Ana as she succumbs to the enticement of their drug culture and into a death spiral.
There are glimmers of hope through social workers that offer a way out for Ana and Andreea, with only the latter accepting. I hope that the future for Andreea and Toto is one that allows them to stay away from the influence of their family.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/15/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is the first film I've ever seen at Hot Docs and it was quite powerful. It follows 3 kids who live in slum kids in Romania, their mother is in jail and father's not around, and their apartment has become a den for junkies. The 2 younger kid want to seek help and go to an orphanage for care, and the oldest struggles with drug addiction. It is a hard watch, it really shows the helplessness of the situation the kids are in. But there are moments of humour, and it turn out the boy is a natural dance and he enters a competition, it's wonderful to see him "come alive" when he dances. Seek it out!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/06/23
Full Review
Read all reviews