Dogs

Dogs is an unsettling, yet remarkably captivating Romanian crime drama, released in the year 2016. The film is laden with an aura of tension that is pregnant with suspense from the opening frame to the close. Directed by the remarkable Romanian filmmaker Bogdan Mirică, this cinematic masterpiece brings to life the grimness of rural Eastern Europe through a narrative that is awash with mystery, danger, and a palpable sense of unease.

The movie introduces us to the world of the protagonist Roman, a compelling character affectionately portrayed by the talented Dragos Bucur. Roman is a city dweller visiting a small, desolate village in Bucharest to inherit a piece of land that he has recently acquired following his grandfather's death. The viewer encounters the character enveloped in an initial state of bewilderment, navigating a strange realm that seems a world away from the familiarity of urban life.

Upon reaching his destination, Roman learns that his inherited property, which is essentially a remote and desolate plot of land, is not as insignificant as it seems. The land has its intricate web of secrets – a reality that Roman gradually discovers, as he acclimatizes to the rural locale. This sets the stage for a thrilling narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

His local guide Hogas, brilliantly enacted by Gheorghe Visu, is a law enforcer nearing retirement. Hogas unveils the true and treacherous realities of the inherited property to Roman, which sets off the central conflict of the movie. The two navigate deep webs of corruption, conspiracy, and crime, traversing a terrain that seems to close in on them as the story proceeds.

Veteran actor Vlad Ivanov portrays Samir, who is the central antagonist of the plot. He plays an influential and menacing land baron, adding a terrifying layer to this rural web of crime and deceit. Ivanov’s performance as Samir blurs the line between good and bad, making the audience question the authenticity of every character in the plot.

Mirică, as a masterful storyteller, fills Dogs with intense conversations, gradually revealing menace and creating a chilling atmosphere. The plot thickens as the viewer gets to know the troublesome history, politics, and dark truths of the land inheritance that Roman had unwittingly accepted. This nature of storytelling raises many pertinent questions about ownership, legality and the fine line that exists between right and wrong.

This movie's most striking feature is its atmospheric cinematography. Muted tones and long, picturesque shots encapsulate the bleak, desolate, and arguably terrifying ambiance of rural Bucharest. Andreea Căpățână and Christophe Debris have done an outstanding job exhibiting the rustic charm of Eastern Europe while simultaneously portraying it as a formidable character itself. The land in Dogs personifies the aura of dread, mistrust, and the murky undercurrent of crime that the narrative revolves around.

Despite its title, Dogs is a far cry from an endearing canine tale. It is a seductively grim portrayal of rural lawlessness, where an outsider like Roman, ensnared in regional politics and criminal activities, teeters between survival and succumbing to the eerie and ethically ambiguous environment. The injection of dark humor within the narrative brilliantly lightens up the intense plot, leading to some gripping and gut-wrenching moments.

Appreciated for its eerie atmosphere, stellar performances, and masterful use of suspenseful storytelling, Dogs stands tall as an impressive film in Romanian cinema as it made its premiere at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, contributing to the rising wave of New Romanian Cinema.

For people who enjoy films which brim over with suspense, unpredictability, and thought-provoking narratives, Dogs is a gripping watch. This movie notably leaves the audience with an unsettling aftertaste, overshadowing the boundary between urban safety and rural lawlessness. Its striking cinematography, chilling storyline, and top-notch performances by a talented cast make Dogs a cinematic experience worth experiencing.