Familiar

In his latest probe into family, corruption, and everyday betrayal, Călin Peter Netzer has perfected the astringent, deadpan gaze at the everyday that fans of contemporary Romanian cinema have become addicted to. This time, Netzer goes meta on meta: He makes a film about making a film about an unsolved question in his family history. Why were his parents granted approval from Romania's communist authorities to emigrate to Germany when the director was a child? In his research, the director, Dragos, butts up against layers upon layers of secrets, lies, and betrayal between his doctor parents, the state, and a mysterious "Stern"—who may have been a secret police informant, his mother's lover, or both. Uncovering that history through archives, family interrogations, interviews, and lies launches the viewer through a truly thrilling narrative full of unexpected reversals and recognitions. Netzer finds frequent, mordant humor in its characters’ venality and self-regard but does not shy away from passion, shame, rage. This picture walks the line between emotion and intellect, history and present, narrative and documentary, and truth and falsehood with purpose, assurance, and an arch smirk. (Seattle International Film Festival)