Written and Directed by Claudiu Mitcu
Original title: Nisipuri
Romania, 2008, 77 min.
Cinematography: Andrei Butică
Production: Wearebasca
Festivals: Transilvania IFF 2008

“This utterly charming film looks at a scruffy little fair in an impoverished corner of southwestern Romania. The picture builds up with interviews with local children, inhabitants, and the sometimes jaundiced stall holders, as the area is prepared. Opinions vary as to how long the fair has been coming to town, but it's been here every 29th August for as long as anyone can remember. Basic, shoddy affair though it is, with its lucky wheel made of nails and its boxing booth with the most ancient and misshapen punchball you've ever seen, with dodgy meatballs (horse? donkey??) and tawdry prizes, it's the fair everyone remembers from their childhood, and it makes people happy… 'There is no fair without a merry-go-round', declares the merry-go-round man, and the most beautiful and joyous image of all is a slow take of the simple machine as it starts up and whirls its customers up and around against an afternoon sky. As the sun sets the punters turn homeward on their various vehicles ('I come on the tractor, but I've got an Opel at home'). A delight.” – Sheila Seacroft, Neil Young’s Film Lounge