Vanessa McMahon

DONT MISS the Romanian hit everyone is talking about, Romania's first comedy film, 'Hello! How Are You?' (2010). This witty smart comedy held its North American premier at the 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival to packed theaters and all around positive praise. Some might recall the film, 'You've Got Mail' (1998) by Nora Ephron while watching this one but there is a much deeper underlying message in this film with a story so rich it strikes home on an emotional level to anyone who uses modern social networks anywhere. Its not funny because it makes you laugh. No, this is not that kind of comedy. This satirical comedy is funny because it is so tragic one cannot help but laugh. As Walter Scot said so brilliantly in Marmion, 'Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!' I highly recommend this dark but sweet, serious but funny, Romanian yet universal jewel of a film, 'Hello! How Are You?'

written by, Vanessa McMahon on January 27, 2011

from PSIFF PRESS

Hello! How Are You?
Buna! Ce Faci?
Romania, 2010, 105 Minute Running Time
Additional Countries: Spain / Italy
US Premiere
Topics: Comedy, Dance/Music, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Program: New Voices/New Visions
Language: Romanian English Sub-Titles

Hello! How Are You? is a witty, stylishly crafted tale of a husband and wife whose 20-year marriage has long since lost its zing, making them vulnerable to the joys of intimate but anonymous on-line chat with a stranger. The antithesis of the grim naturalism of the best-known new Romanian cinema, this bittersweet romantic comedy feels like a breath of fresh air, proving that even more commercial films can deliver emotional epiphanies.

Musician Gabriel and dimpled dry-cleaning proprietress Gabriela (Dana Voicu, the director's wife) live like two strangers who no longer see each other. But in humorous contrast to their staid, passionless lives, characters in a constant state of sexual arousal surround them. Their libidinous teen son, whose hilarious voiceover commentary intermittently provides important narrative information, prides himself on being the high school stud and aspires to a career in porn. Gabriela's sexy employee switches boyfriends the way she changes clothes. And despite being married, Gabriel's colleague is working his way through the female members of their orchestra. Ultimately, the two Gabys find their virtual affairs reconnect them with their own desires, but in a way less movie-fantasy and more satisfyingly real-life.

Director, Actors & Producers to attend screenings

DIRECTOR: Alexandru Maftei
Producer: Antoni Sole, Maurizio Santarelli, Tudor Reu
Editor: Mihai Codleanu
Screenwriter: Lia Bugnar
Cinematographer: Radu Aldea
Music: Dragos Alexandru
Principal Cast: Dana Voicu, Ionel Mihailescu, Paul Diaconescu, Jordi Garcia, Ana Popescu, Ioan Andrei Ionescu, Sabrina Iaschievici,
Filmography: Debut Feature
Print Source: m-Appeal - www.m-appeal.com

below, Romanian talent and beauty, Ana Popescu

cast and crew of 'Hello! How Are You?'