This film is currently unavailable
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
When a practical young student helps her manipulative friend, it proves to be a devastating, life-changing experience for both. This Palme d’Or-winner is as taut as a thriller and comes from the director of Beyond The Hills.
Director: Cristian Mungiu
Overview
Tarantino, Fincher and the Coen brothers were beaten to the top prize at Cannes by a story which blends absurdity and grim reality, as a Romanian student (Laura Vasiliu) seeks a dangerous, illegal termination of her pregnancy. It is the sunset of Ceausescu's regime, so the girl enlists help from a friend (Anamaria Marinca), through whose eyes we navigate what happens next.
Cristian Mungiu's desperately effective Palme d'Or winner is as taut as a thriller, framed in long takes, distanced and austere. There's humour and subversion too, as communism is quietly dismantled, without once being named.
Contains strong language and abortion theme.Related
Last Swim Last Swim
Drama 2024 96 mins Director: Sasha Nathwani
A day in the life of an ambitious 18-year-old Iranian-British transforms into a universal portrait of youth, hope and fears over an uncertain future.
The Count of Monte Cristo The Count of Monte Cristo
Drama 2024 178 mins Director: Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière
This rollicking take on Dumas’ swashbuckler, packed with lavish spectacle and high-stakes drama, slayed all Hollywood films at the French box-office.
A Special Day A Special Day
Drama 1977 106 mins Director: Ettore Scola
Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni deliver the finest and most nuanced performances of their careers in this understated masterpiece from director Ettore Scola.
The Ear The Ear
Thriller 1969 95 mins Director: Karel Kachyna
An official finds his home under surveillance and his marriage facing turbulence in this Orwellian portrait of life in Communist-era Czechoslovakia.
The Extraordinary Miss Flower The Extraordinary Miss Flower
Drama-documentary 2024 73 mins Director: Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
Hugely creative biographical film full of charm and intrigue, uncovering the remarkable story of Geraldine Flower and a suitcase of love letters.
Paradise Lost? Paradise Lost?
Drama 2015 9 mins Director: Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s extraordinary interpretation of John Milton’s classic tale, starring Florence Pugh.
Sophia Loren: Reshaping Femininity Sophia Loren: Reshaping Femininity
Short documentary 2025 18 mins Director: Maha Albadrawi
Exclusive to BFI Player, a video essay exploring Sophia Loren’s 60s and 70s filmography, and how her work shook up Italian gender roles.
Diva Diva
Thriller 1981 117 mins Director: Jean-Jacques Beineix
A postal worker’s secret opera recording sparks a gripping chase through Paris in Jean-Jacques Beineix’s (Betty Blue) stylish crime-thriller.
Manhunter Manhunter
Crime 1986 124 mins Director: Michael Mann
Michael Mann’s chilling and stylish adaptation of Thomas Harris’ bestseller introduced Hannibal Lecktor to cinema audiences for the first time.
Last Swim Last Swim
Drama 2024 96 mins Director: Sasha Nathwani
A day in the life of an ambitious 18-year-old Iranian-British transforms into a universal portrait of youth, hope and fears over an uncertain future.
Marriage Italian Style Marriage Italian Style
Comedy 1964 97 mins Director: Vittorio De Sica
Sophia Loren and Marcelo Mastroianni are irrepressible as a long-married couple in this exquisite and timeless comedy of our all-too-human foibles.
Audrey Audrey
Comedy 2024 96 mins Director: Natalie Bailey
A frustrated stage mother exploits her star daughter’s unexpected coma for her own artistic gains, in this wickedly dark Australian comedy.