The Happiest Girl In The World
Filmmaker: Screenplay by Augustina Stanciu
Netherlands | Romania | France | Japan, Cert. PG / 2010 / 90 min / Romanian
Opening Weekend Date: 28 May 2010
The latest high profile feature from the Romanian new wave, The Happiest Girl in the World is an acerbic comedy that tells the story of Delia (Andreea Bosneag), a girl who wins a car in a competition and the subsequent arguments with her parents about what to do with it. Combining rich irony with familial acrimony, the film's simple story magnifies the social tensions of a country embracing capitalism and all its shiny promises.The first feature from Radu Jude, The Happiest Girl in the World has attracted awards and acclaim from the festival circuit with its sharp dialogue and superb performances.
Delia Fratila is a normal eighteen-year-old from a poor family living in a small Romanian town. Her fortunes change when she becomes the lucky winner of a luxury car through sending off bottle labels in an advertising competition. Delia and her parents set off to Bucharest to shoot a nationwide advertising campaign, as a part of the prize-win. After a long journey, the family finally arrives at the film location, where Delia spends the day shooting a seemingly non-demanding task. All she needs to do is take a seat in the car, drink the product, smile, and thank the drinks company. This action turns into a day full of complications, and amusing clashes between the Art Director of the ad and the Company Directors. During the shooting breaks, Delia and her parents discuss what they plan to do with the car; Delia wants to keep it for herself, while her parents wish to sell it, seeing it as their chance to escape poverty. These arguments intensify, while the shoot becomes more and more absurd. And what initially seemed to be a change in Delia's fortunes turns into a troubling emotional experience that makes her questioning her relationship with her family.
About the Writer: Augustina Stanciu
Born in 1976, Augustina graduated from the Filmmaking Department at the Media University in 2002. She has previously collaborated with Radu on the screenplay for Alexandra, and also for a well-known Romanian TV series In familie. Augustina also works as an art director, and The Happiest Girl in the World is her feature film, both as a screenwriter and art director.