Synopsis

There was once a small group of people in Romania who committed civil disobedience against the repressive regime of the 1980s’ communistic era in their own special manner of protest – namely by means of video cassettes. Chuck Norris vs Communism tells their unbelievable story. The brave and bold film enthusiasts built up a well-organised network, smuggled hundreds of Hollywood productions into the locked-down country and arranged illegal screenings. Particularly popular were films with fearless action heroes such as Sylvester Stallone or Chuck Norris. The propagated Western lifestyle caused great fascination among the viewers, not to mention the appealing violation of numerous prohibitions. Supermarkets full of groceries, Western fashion, fast cars and, best of all, freedom of an unprecedented magnitude made the Romanian nation dream. Director Ilinca Calugareanu gives people from the street the same chance to speak into the camera as Irina Margareta Nistor, who soon became the dubbing actress of the sneaked in films and, thus, Romania’s best-known voice. In an impressive and humorous manner, the documentary illustrates the power of films, influencing and forming the reality even beyond their inherent potential. And at the same time it points out the importance of human rights – in this case the freedom of media and the press.

Guests

Ilinca Calugareanu

Ilinca Călugăreanu
Director, writer, editor Chuck Norris VS Communism
In Vienna: October 6-8