Since the end of February comes with warmer weather, I recommend you to enjoy the weekend by going for a walk in the park and then watching a movie at the cinema. This time I have not 3, but 4 film recommendations, for all tastes and moods, from documentary to comedy, as well as 4 movies to watch at home, for those who are too lazy to go out (hey, I’m not judging!):

TO BE WATCHED IN CINEMAS:

– colectiv (dir. Alexander Nanau) – A documentary that should be watched by each and every one of us. colectiv offers for the first time a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of the key moments that took place in the aftermath of the tragic fire at the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest. Following journalists, whistleblowers, burn patients and Government officials, the film unveils a whole network of corruption, lies and manipulation.

The film can (and should) be watched throughout this weekend at Happy Cinema Liberty Mall, Union Cinema, Elvire Popesco and Peasant Museum Cinema.

– The Oak (dir. Lucian Pintilie; comedy / drama) – It’s the first Romanian film restoration in a 4K digital format. Bucharest, 1988. Nela, a young teacher, takes care of her dying father, a former colonel of the Securitate. He wants his body to be used for medical research, but the University refuses, since its refrigerators are broken. Nela leaves Bucharest and moves to a little town where she meets Mitică, a local surgeon, who just as her doesn’t take compromises and keeps his dreams and optimism alive.

The Oak can be watched at Peasant Museum Cinema on Saturday, February 29, at 3:00 pm, and on Sunday, March 1, at Elvire Popesco Cinema at 8:30 pm.

– Little Women (dir. Greta Gerwig; romance) – I know I’ve already recommended this movie earlier this month, but I think it’s a good opportunity for those who haven’t seen it yet. Little Women is an adaptation after Louise May Alcott’s classic novel and several other writings, and presents the life journey with its ups and downs of Jo March, an alter ego of the writer. 

The film can be watched on Saturday, February 29, at Elvire Popesco Cinema at 3:30 pm.

– It Must Be Heaven (dir. Elia Suleiman; comedy) – For those in mood for a comedy on the 1st of March, It Must Be Heaven is a film in which Elia Suleiman travels to different cities and finds unexpected parallels to his homeland of Palestine. The film explores concepts such as identity, nationality and belonging, and ultimately the actor-filmmaker asks a fundamental question: where can you feel “at home”?

The film can be watched on Sunday, March 1 at Cinema Elvire Popesco, at 1pm.

FEELING LAZY? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN WATCH AT HOME:

– The Favourite (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos; biography, comedy) – In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend, Lady Sarah, governs the country in her stead, while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

You can find out what happens next on Saturday, February 29 from 3:45 pm on HBO 3.

– Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (dir. David Yates; adventure) – Newt Scamander, the author of the eponymous book featured in Harry Potter’s first year at Hogwarts, is the main character and the film follows his adventures, as Newt won’t rest until he becomes the world’s most famous magizoologist. On his journey he will encounter the most fantastic creatures, some of them remarkably dangerous!

The movie airs on HBO 2 on Saturday, February 29 at 4:10 pm, and on HBO 3 on Sunday, March 1 at 7:05 am (only for the morning people, of course).

– The Truman Show (dir. Peter Weir; drama) – Every second, every day since he was born until he turned 30, Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) has been a star on the most popular reality show in history. His house is a huge film set, his family and friends, everyone he meets are actors.

For those who have never watched this movie, I recommend you to watch it on Saturday, February 29 at 7:50 pm on Paramount Channel.

– Arrival (dir. Denis Villeneuve; S.F.) – Interplanetary war or the chance to meet other forms of intelligence? Success or damnation? An entire planet trembles in anticipation of the news. Will Louise succeed in translating the alien invaders’ language in due time or will she ultimately “translate” the fate of humanity?

Find what happens next on Friday, February 28 at 11:30 pm and Saturday, February 29 at 4:15 pm, on AXN.

Romina Banu

Photographer and editor; she co-founded Dissolved Magazine together with Melissa. For Films in Frame she gathers film and TV series recommendations for lazy weekends and she writes about interesting projects from the film industry. Other than that, she likes traveling, chilling with her cats and sleeping.