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‘The Whistlers (La Gomera)’ – 9th September at 8pm | €7

Director: Corneliu Porumboiu
Cast: Vlad Ivanov, Catrinel Marlon, Rodica Lazar

98 minutes, Romania, France, Germany, 2019, 15A

Synopsis

Corrupt Romanian policeman Cristi (the always watchable Vlad Ivanov) is forced to travel by the mobsters he is involved with to the Canary Island of La Gomera –  the endgame is to break out from prison a Bucharest businessman, who apparently knows the whereabouts of a stash of cash hidden in a mattress. To avoid police surveillance, Crisit must learn the island’s indigenous whistle language called “El Siblo”, so that he can communicate with his accomplices …

With a plot full of double-crosses, a femme fatale called Gilda and many other references to classic Hollywood cinema, the latest from Romanian director Corneliu Porumboiu (12:08 East of Bucharest) is a uniquely entertaining, smart and dead-pan funny thriller.

Festivals
Cannes Film Festival 2019
Toronto International Film Festival 2019
BFI London Film Festival 2019
Cork International Film Festival 2019
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2020
Glasgow Film Festival 2020

Quotes

“★ ★ ★ ★ The Whistlers spreads around love for golden-era Hollywood … Corneliu Porumboiu serves up a corrupt cop, a femme fatale and a globe-trotting plot.” – Donald Clarke, The Irish Times

“★ ★ ★ ★ This Romanian comedy-drama about a dirty cop doffs its cap to classic Hollywood … film-maker Corneliu Porumboiu dispenses with the miserabilism associated with his country’s cinema in this tart romp about a tangle of double crossings.” – Simran Hans, The Observer UK