‘R.M.N. Trailer’: Palme d'Or Winner Cristian Mungiu Returns with New Film via IFC Films

Critically acclaimed filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, known for his Palme d’Or winning film “4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days,” returns. “R.M.N.,” his Cannes Film Festival 2022 premiered new drama, now has a new trailer via IFC Films. The gripping new film highlights Mungiu’s talent for exposing social injustices, particularly within his native Romania. The movie delves into the complex issues of racism and suspicion within a small community trying to adapt to the challenges of the modern economy.

Following Matthias (Marin Grigoire) as he leaves his job in Germany to return to his Transylvanian village just a few days before the Christmas holiday, the movie shows his aim is to reconnect with his son Rudi (Mark Blenyesi), whom he has left in the care of his mother Ana (Macrina Bârlădeanu).

With a deep desire to heal the emotional scars that have plagued his son, Matthias is determined to play a more active role in his education. But, his return also brings up old wounds, including the strained relationship with his father, Otto, and the rekindling of feelings for his ex-lover, Csilla (Judith Slate). Things take a turn when Csilla hires new workers for the factory she manages, and their arrival shakes the foundations of the tightly-knit community.

Fear and mistrust spread like wildfire, and long-suppressed conflicts and passions rise to the surface, threatening the fragile peace of the village. The film feels like a poignant exploration of the human condition, examining the complexities of love, loss, and reconciliation, all against the backdrop of a multi-ethnic Transylvanian village during the holiday season.

For those unaware of Cristian Mungiu, the talented Romanian filmmaker first caught the attention of international audiences with his debut film, “OCCIDENT/WEST,” which premiered in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in 2002 and became a hit in his home country. However, it was his second feature, “4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS,” that cemented his status as a cinematic powerhouse. The film won the coveted Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2007 and several best film of the year awards from international film critics associations. Mungiu also received European Film Academy awards for Best Film and Best Director. His body of work showcases his exceptional storytelling abilities and his unflinching commitment to examining complex themes such as societal injustice and corruption.

As far as R.M.N is concerned, critics have been raving about it ever since it premiered, with Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter calling it “A piercing slow-burn drama. Like Mungiu’s previous work… this is masterly understated filmmaking,” and Todd McCarthy of the Deadline saying that it is, “A kind of close-up-and-personal look at contemporary issues in an area not often dramatized or in the news, which adds to the film’s fresh and urgent feel.”

R.M.N premieres in theatres on April 28th, 2023