The Happiest Girl in the World
dir. Radu Jude · 2009
Plot
Delia, a young Romanian girl, comes to Bucharest with her parents to collect a prize she has won in a contest organized by a soft-drinks company. The prize is a beautiful new car. All Delia has to do now is appear in front of the camera in a commercial. All goes well until it becomes clear that Delia and her parents have very different ideas about what to do with the new car. Meanwhile, the contest's sponsor needs a radiant prize-winner with a gleaming smile. A wicked satire and a psychological portrait of a society perverted by its slavery to capitalism and consumerism.
Why watch
Delia stands in front of the camera, her smile plastered on as she prepares to collect her prize—a car that symbolizes both success and the weight of expectation. As her parents' desires clash with her own, the absurdity of their situation unfolds, revealing the cracks in their familial bonds. Watching this film feels like a slow, contemplative stroll through the complexities of modern life, where the pursuit of happiness is often overshadowed by societal pressures and personal disillusionment.