Cannes 2022, remote notes

[Chris Knipp]

#4 ON THE JURY GRID NOW: CHRISTIAN MUNGIU'S R.M.N.


STILL FROM R.M.N.

R.M.N. (Cristian Mungiu)
Cannes, In Competition.(Shown May 21). Jessica Kiang on Variety praises the ruthless clarity of this "scabrous social division drama," a delineation of the social fracturing of the nation of Romania. Jordan Mintzer says in Hollywood Reporter says "R.M.N" is Romanian for "MRI," and that fits because this is "a full-scale brain scan" of a country "beset by multiple conflicts" including the "racial, social, political, national, ecological," and even, here anyway, the "emotional variety." This is a "slow-burn, small-town drama" set in rural Transylvania. This is, Mintzer says, typically "masterly understated filmmaking" notable for "a few stand-out sequences," especially a full-reel one in the town hall that "throws all the issues on the table" before "erupting into chaos." Mungiu won the Palme d'Or with his 2007 abortion film, and his GRADUATION (NYFF 2016) won him Best Director here. At #4 in the current Screen Daily Jury Grid, R.M.N. is a must-see to watch for. But maybe too slow in spots, says Mintzer. And Bradshaw is less charmed, rating it a neutral 3/5 stars. He points out it's about prejudice against local Sri Lankans, and Mungiu's style "as unemphatic and low-key as ever."

R.M.N. TRAILER