Actorul si salbaticii

• The character of Costica Caratase is based on legendary real-life actor and theatre director Constantin Tanase. What’s more, the name of the character is a composite made up of Toma Caragiu, the actor who plays Caratase, and Constantin Tanase.

The main character, Costicä Caratase, is a loose and transparentportrayal of the famous Romanian music-hall comedian Constantin Tänase.However, Tänase didn't have EVER any problems with King Carol II'sregime and the Iron Guard. Despite several excesses (murder of a numberof dignitaries, including the great historian Nicolae Iorga, or theministers I.G. Duca, Armand Cälinescu or Virgil Madgearu, thatfollowing the ruthless persecutions from the government's part and theslaughter of many legionnaires, including the Captain, Corneliu ZeleaCodreanu), the Iron Guard, aka "Legion of the Holy Archangel Michael",was a legitimate and patriotic nationalist right-wing organization,that never minded the arts and entertainment. At the same time,Caratase's grotesque portrayal of Adolf Hitler, although masterfullydone (thanks to Caragiu's genius), was also totally unlikely. At thattime, the huge majority of Romanian citizens, and mostly theintellectuals, artists and other elites, were deeply pro-German,respecting and admiring the Führer. It was only later, under theRussian influence, that the anti-Nazi hysteria started to spread overRomania.

To top it all, the ONLY ones to feel offended by Tänase's satirewere… THE COMMUNISTS! Soon after they took the power, they arrestedthe great comedian, for having made fun of their ridiculous pretensionsof democracy. This abusive imprisoning worsened his lungs condition,bringing over his death.

2) This film is an opportunity to watch great Romanian actors at work,under the direction of Manole Marcus, one of the first Romanian filmmakers that attended Film School (the first generation at the Academyof Theatre and Film in Bucharest). Toma Caragiu is portrayingConstantin Tanase, a great Romanian comedian from the '30s. The filmlooks like a musical-comedy, but in fact is tragic. The historicalbackground is carefully designed and crafted, starting with thecostumes and ending with the grim atmosphere, suggested mainly throughan attentive manipulation of light and shadows. Marcus took a prettylong shot with the subject, because Tanase was an "old-time"entertainer, from the the so-called "exploitation" period (that's howthe communists called the years of monarchy in Romania). A carefulwatcher can observe the sympathy for the culture and civilization ofthat troubled time. Watch for Mircea Diaconu and Mircea Albulescu intwo special appearances.

3) A imperfect beautiful film.

Toma Caragiu is magnificent in a gorgeous role. The interbelicatmosphere is recreated with talent and the acting of Marin Moraru,Mircea Albulescu or Mircea Diaconu is precise and subtle.

But, it is an important problem: the transformation of film in apolitical instrument. A very uncomfortable manicheism transforms adecent movie in a caricature and only the art of Caragiu may evit themetamorphosis in a Communist moral lesson.

The movement of right-extreme is a fundamental character in modernRomanian history and its gestures (murder of five Prime-Ministers),ideas ( a irrational ideology in which the influences of "Mein Kapf"was mixed with East Christianism dogmas), relations with Nazi Germanyare parts of reality.

But the message of film is more profound. And his consignee is everyanti-democratic regime.

4) This film is probably one of the best Romanian movies ever made. Greatscript, wonderful actors (among them, even the director Mircea Veroiu),ballet ensemble, good dramatic scenes, human mixture of comedy anddrama, talking about a troubled period of history when tension wasbuilding beneath the apparent tranquility of everyday life. Smallsignals suggesting the end of Romania's golden age, between the twoworld wars, when our currency was stronger than today's majorcurrencies. In my opinion, it is probably the most "Hollywood"-stylefilms set in showbiz life, but still very Romanian. I also liked a lotMargareta Pogonat, as the star's understanding wife, and Marin Moraru,as the butler, another brilliant actor, an acting icon for entiregenerations. One of Toma Caragiu's unforgettable roles – that of acomedian teaching his people dignity at all costs.

5) This film is set during the 1930s, when the pro-Nazi policy of KingCarol II of Romania gave support to the rising Iron Guard movement ofRomania. A theatre manager, Caratase (inspired by the real-life actorConstantin Tanase), is threatened by the Iron Guard in order to cancelhis upcoming show which presents a negative portrayal of Nazi Germany.

The film is rather slow and confusing, but it picks up speed during thefinal hour – Caratase and the Iron Guard members have a verbal duel,while the show begins to play.

The acting, especially if a current-day perspective is considered, canbe perceived as poor and unconvincing (with the exception of someoutstanding moments by Toma Caragiu). This, taken with the soundtrack,which doesn't always fit to the tone of the scenes, can sometimes breakthe suspension of disbelief. Note that this is a general problem ofRomanian films, and it has started to be corrected only recently (infilms such as "California Dreamin'" or "Restul e tacere").

All in all, the ending scenes are worth sitting through the whole 150minutes of the film. However, patience is advised to an uninitiatedviewer.

6) Almost 10 years Romania have been under the dark and dreadful politicalinfluence of the Hitler’s policy The movie show in the genialinterpretation of the great Toma Caragiu how difficult was for thetheater world to try to defend the freedom in their scenic life… Inthe final part of the movie, Toma Caragiu make an outstanding imitationof the Hitler’s paranoid behavior, Marin Moraru is perfect playing thedumb steward and all the actors play with a strange enthusiasm thatbecause in the real life the mind and soul of the regular citizen inRomania was poisoned by the dreadfully tyranny of the Ceasusescu’ssystem.The difference was not to much between the two historicalperiods… only a couple of decades…