THE WHISTLERS

THE WHISTLERS (LA GOMERA), 2019
Romania | DCP, Color, 97’ | Romanian, English
Director: Corneliu Porumboiu
Cast: Vlad Ivanov, Catrinel Marlon, Rodica Lazar

Known for his films that merge observational realism with black humor, Romanian new wave director Corneliu Porumboiu delivers an action-filled detective film that was selected as the Oscar entry from Romania. Whistle blower police officer Cristi is sent to the Canary Islands to free Zsolt, a mafia boss from prison and to find the stolen money. In order to ensure that no one can follow what is happening here, he is asked to learn the whistling language specific to the region. The person who convinces Cristi to go on this mission is Gilda, the irresistible femme fatale of the film. The themes that Porumboiu have addressed since his first film such as what language discloses and conceals, the oppressive Ceaușescu regime, and loyalty are again present in this film albeit examined from different angles.