Acasă, My Home

Twenty years ago, Gică Enache made the radical decision to turn his back on Romanian society. He built a cabin in the countryside just outside Bucharest, and there he and his wife brought up nine children. Now the government has made ambitious plans for this verdant delta region, and social agencies are urging the family to return to the city. The whole idea is abhorrent to the paterfamilias, who wants nothing to do with education or rules. The family moves to a rental apartment but have major problems adjusting. Boundaries are continually being crossed, especially those of the stern patriarch.

After winning the Special Jury Prize for Cinematography at Sundance, Acasă, My Home went on to win multiple awards at other international film festivals. Director Radu Ciorniciuc’s background in investigative social journalism is apparent in this, his documentary debut. He takes the long view, filming the family across entire seasons: we first follow the Enaches while they’re living in nature and then as they take the bumpy path to the bewildering turmoil of city life and the first unravelings of a once so close-knit family.