Aferim!
dir. Radu Jude · 2015
The struggle for freedom and dignity is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, often challenged by societal norms and personal conflicts.
"Aferim! is a darkly comedic odyssey through 19th century Romania, where the absurdities of social hierarchies and the legacy of slavery collide in a journey that is both enlightening and entertaining. Radu Jude's film invites viewers to reflect on the past while laughing at the absurdity of human folly."
Set in early 19th century Wallachia, when a local policeman, Costandin, is hired by Iordache, a boyar (local noble), to find Carfin, a Gypsy slave who had run away from the boyar's estate after having an affair with his wife, Sultana. Costandin sets out to find the fugitive, beginning a journey full of adventures. Gypsy slavery lasted from the 14th century up until the middle of the 19th century, a situation which is very little known and almost nonexistent in the public debate today, although its impact continues to influence Romania's social life.
