Kontinental '25 – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

The action of Radu Jude’s new film takes place in the capital of Transylvania – Cluj. Orsolya works there as a bailiff and has to deal with the case of Ion. The man is a former athlete who has fallen into alcoholism and homelessness, unable for a long time to find a permanent shelter.

He also has to leave the basement he is temporarily occupying, since a luxury hotel called the Continental will soon be built there. However, the eviction carried out by Orsolya has tragic consequences. These events deeply affect the woman, plunging her into a serious existential crisis. Orsolya must confront her sense of guilt as well as questions about individual responsibility in an increasingly oppressive, economically harsh reality.

With his characteristic irony, flair, and absurd sense of humor, Radu Jude this time addresses the housing crisis, which is the result of advancing aggressive capitalism. He also weaves in issues related to nationalism and social inequalities. The film was shot in just 10 days, using only an iPhone.