THE WHISTLERS/ LA GOMORA

Romania, 2019, 97 minutes, Colour.

Vlad Ivanov, Catrinell Marlon, Rodica Lazar, Sabin Tambrea, Antonio Buil, Agusti Villaronga

Directed by Corneliu Porumboiu.

The director of this film also ventured into police and crime work with Police, Adjective.

The focus of this film is on a police official who is seen to be playing both sides of the law, under the command of a female officer, yet links with drug dealers and criminal connections in the Canary Islands.

The action veers from Romania to the Canaries.

The film has chapters, highlighting each of the main characters throughout the action, then their interactions, crime connections, betrayals, police investigations, the central character and reprimands from his mother.

The title refers to a technique allegedly in the Canary Islands where people learn bird sounds and intonations and modulations which correspond to the spelling of words, communicating that way and defeating surveillance.

A slight crime adventure with sardonic overtones.

1. Romanian crime story? Serious, sardonic humorous touches?
2. The Romanian settings, crime, police precincts, homes, the streets? The contrast with Spain, the sun, the sea, the cliffs, the towns, the villas? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus on communication, phonetics and the bird whistles, in the Canary islands, Cristi and his inability, his being taught, the lessons and the vowels and consonants and the sounds, the whistling being used for information?
4. The structure of the film, chapters highlighting the various characters, by name?
5. The convolutions of the plot, the action in Romania, the action in Spain? Interlinked? The finale, glamorous and lights in Singapore?
6. Cristi, the focus, his relationship with his mother, a good boy, police, playing both sides, the contacts, information, the drugs, the money? Involving his mother in the deception? The introduction, arrival on the islands, being taught the communications, the encounter with Gilda, the sexual encounter, her partner and the money? The convolutions of the plot, Magda and her associate, her suspicions of him, yet his reassurances? His mother upbraiding him?
7. The range of criminals, leadership, control, connections, betrayals?
8. Zsolt, the money, relationship with Gilda, the encounters with Cristi, Magda, the arrest, the setup, the confrontations?
9. Delta, the connections, Zsolt, with Cristi? The plans, the rescue, at the motel, the Klerk, his merging the policeman, her killing him? The money and the mattresses, being got out?
10. Gilda, the Villa, visiting Cristi’s mother, Magda in the house, the confrontation?
11. Cristi, being shot, the wound to his head, the cover, in hospital, getting out, the bird whistles, builders information, going to Singapore?