Between Pain and Amen

It is difficult to define this film. Basically, it is a testimony and one of films who you need to see to understand old truths defining the present. Fenomenul Pitesti deserves its movie. Not only as a sort of requisitorium against Communism but as remind of sacrifices, pain, cruelty and a sort of unique experiment of desumanitation of the XX century. Admirable acting , powerful message. A love story as axis and great ambition of Toma Enache to show the truth in its naked essence.

This is a very good Romanian movie, with great cinematography and acting, but also tough to watch by sensitive people, mainly because of explicit violent scenes. If you do a little research about "Pitesti experiment" before you watch this, you will see that the facts are very accurately depicted, and the director captured and presented that horrifying communist prison atmosphere to a level seen only in big budget movies (actually this movie is an independent one, with private funding and was filmed in very harsh conditions - and not a surprise - it was NOT funded by the CNC - Romanian National Cinematography Center because.. "reasons"). In our times, when everything is censored and goes PC, it's a wonder that this got public recognition and won prizes on several film festivals! Kudos to the team that worked on this project, especially to the director that felt it was his duty to create such a gem, and bring a little light and truth about that sad period in our lives. Go watch this!

For the ones who are biased about the communist regime. Inhuman treatment, a continuos depravation of humanity, cruelty, suffering, a perfect picture of what communist can do.

I had mixt feelings about the movie. I did not expected to be such amazing and good quality. The topic, the flow of events, the research done to capture the essence is top quality. I recommend it to everyone. Maybe this is the first romanian movie I will watch again

It was the first time in my life when i heard people crying in a cinema. It is an emotional movie about communism and the suffering of those who kept their faith in the hardest times.

It is a true story and a movie made with no budget worth the while watching it. It became one of my top 10 all time favourite movies.

Congrats to everyone involved into this production. Exceptional!