Capra cu trei iezi

Capra cu trei iezi is a romanian horror period piece featuring Maia Morgenstern and directed by Victor Canache.

This is an adaptation of the iconic fairytale from Romania 1875 by Ion Creanga. But unlike other fairytale adaptations, it's a much darker and adult take on the story.

As a drama, this movie is great. The actors bring this characthers to life in an impressive way. The movie is pretty short, each scene being relevant to the plot and I wasn't bored (almost) at all. The direction is immaculate: the editing and cinematography do a spectacular job of showing this quiet, isolated setting with a dark and misterious tone. The characthers, while barely of them likeable, have nice interactions that keep you engaged to see what will happen next

But enough with the hyperbolized praises, let's talk about the worst part of the movie: the horror element. As a horror movie, this is honestly the worst the genre has to offer. Overall tense and scary scenes are ruined by corny, out of touch editing that makes the movie feel like a parody. Characthers like Nanasu feel like carichatures, because the movie wants to take ths intimidating villain and make him some blood thristy maniac that comes off more like some Batman 1965 villain, rather than an unstoppable force. Also the characters, just like I've said, are unlikeable. And not just the villain: all of them. In this movie, unless you're a mean, grumpy person or downright a piece of trash, you have little to no power in this world. The mother is always angry and mean to her kids, sometimes even to the little kid who is presented as a pure heroic underdog. And I know that her older kids are mean pieces of rubbish too, but when they're eventually killed, it doesn't really feel like they're the victims 'cause 1. They're unlikeable, non-relatable brats and 2. They pretty much guilty of their deaths. And of course I'm sorry, but if the movie put them in a somewhat more positive spot, their deaths would've felt much sadder, since the audience had an emotional connection with them.

So yeah, it's flawed, but I don't think it's bad like others say.

The story by Creanga upon which this is based is essential reading in elementary school and a cautionary tale for children which has been adapted many times, perhaps most famously in the rock musical "Mama" (1976). This is a fond memory for many Romanians, so quite a few will be peeved to see it turned into a folk horror piece (like the infinitely worse Winnie the Pooh gore).

But I am from Transylvania and the story made sense in the past as there are many small farms scattered in the countryside which used to be targeted by thieves. Also, there are lots of stories about people turning crazy in our long winters, so this somber uptake is more on point than city dwellers may believe. We invented werewolves, after all (not vampires, they're from Serbia). The finish is how the story actually ends so it's more brutal than Little Red Riding Hood.

Maia Morgenstern is an icon of 1990s cinema, her best known film is probably "The Oak" (1992) by Lucian Pintilie but she hasn't done much in the past years, this is a great comeback for her.

One of few romanian horrors, but exceptional. The director knows exactly what he wanted: to show everyone how romanian people were struggling to live everyday, in the 19th century (but no difference even with earlier times), surrounded with traitors and enemies. Even if it's inspired from a romanian story, the caracters are transformed into humans and reveals that we are the most dangerous beings, and human nature goes hand in hand with destruction (and revenge). For a romanian who knows the story, the movie can be boring - i think, BUT, for someone who doesn't - i recommend. It's one of those horrors that u will never forget, even if it's a low budget movie without great effects. It's one for the foreigners, so if u are NOT a romanian, press play, and u won't regret it!!!

A very good film with few actors.

Very well played, the script is simple and effective.

Maybe for some who watch the movie it seems too harsh.

Ion Creanga's story is really hard, many have probably overlooked it.

I read again the story, the text in the movie is almost identical to the one in the story.

Maybe some people want spectacular effects, this movie is not for them.

I hope more films like this are made, it is needed.

The footage is very good, of high quality, despite the low budget of the film.

It is only a beginning for such films, it has been shown that it is also possible.

I watched the director's interview, it has potential.

Of course, there will also be active hatters, who probably criticize any film, nothing satisfies them.

Knowing the story that the movie is based on and knowing the story behind the movie, makes me appreciate this production even more.

The production quality based on the budget is amazing, they really managed to keep us right on the edge with the script and offer us visual comfort through the landscapes and representation of the Romanian countryside household.

It really was refreshing to watch a quality Romanian movie which brought back to the public eye a well known folk story with a powerful message.

And last but not least, the iconic actors were a perfect match for their roles. I would definitely not want to meet with the "wolf" by accident on the streets.

It's a 10 for me!