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IMDbPro

Between Pain and Amen

  • 2019
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
767
YOUR RATING
Victoria Cocias, Constantin Cotimanis, Ion Dichiseanu, Bogdan Salceanu, Ana Parvu, Elena Enache, Adrian Flautistu, Remus Stanescu, Alin Ailioaiei, Ioachim Ciobanu, Alexander Sachs, Ruxandra Mihai, Dragos Stoica, Dorin C. Zachei, Toma Enache, Teodora Calagiu Garofil, Kira Hagi, Csaba Ciugulitu, Iany Panait, Gore Eduard, Ciprian Nicula, and Vali Popescu in Between Pain and Amen (2019)
DramaHistory

A young composer and double bass virtuoso, who returns to Romania after studying in Vienna, is arrested by the political police soon after getting engaged and taken to the Pitesti prison, wh... Read allA young composer and double bass virtuoso, who returns to Romania after studying in Vienna, is arrested by the political police soon after getting engaged and taken to the Pitesti prison, where a brainwashing and torture-based experiment is under way. The horrible communist exper... Read allA young composer and double bass virtuoso, who returns to Romania after studying in Vienna, is arrested by the political police soon after getting engaged and taken to the Pitesti prison, where a brainwashing and torture-based experiment is under way. The horrible communist experiment, copied after the Soviet model, is headed by the much-feared Ciumau. The composer su... Read all

  • Director
    • Toma Enache
  • Writers
    • Elena Enache
    • Toma Enache
    • Eugen Cojocariu
  • Stars
    • Vali Popescu
    • Constantin Cotimanis
    • Kira Hagi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    767
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Toma Enache
    • Writers
      • Elena Enache
      • Toma Enache
      • Eugen Cojocariu
    • Stars
      • Vali Popescu
      • Constantin Cotimanis
      • Kira Hagi
    • 19User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 47 wins & 25 nominations total

    Photos26

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Vali Popescu
    • Tase Caraman
    Constantin Cotimanis
    • Ciumau (Prison Commander)
    Kira Hagi
    • Tana
    Ana Parvu
    Ana Parvu
    • Lia
    Ioachim Ciobanu
    Ioachim Ciobanu
    • Petre Jurganu
    Ciprian Nicula
    • Iancu Caraman
    Csaba Ciugulitu
    • Falca
    Victoria Cocias
    Victoria Cocias
    • Doctor 1
    Teodora Calagiu Garofil
    Teodora Calagiu Garofil
    • Doctor Batu
    Ion Dichiseanu
    Ion Dichiseanu
    • General Jibolschi
    Bogdan Salceanu
    • Stefan Maris
    Remus Stanescu
    • Poet Mihai Inge
    Toma Enache
    • Toni film director
    Alin Ailioaiei
    Alin Ailioaiei
    • Gardian 4
    Catalin Bocirnea
    • Tortionar
    Adrian Culetu
    • Nicolae Caracota
    Cezara Dafinescu
    • Doamna Catran
    Iany Panait
    • Hrista Zaruha
    • Director
      • Toma Enache
    • Writers
      • Elena Enache
      • Toma Enache
      • Eugen Cojocariu
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    7.3767
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    Featured reviews

    9m-71025-67607

    A history lesson everyone should learn

    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.
    Kirpianuscus

    the truth

    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.
    10adriandanpop

    Must see

    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
    10udreaalex

    A true story that brought an audience formed by 550 people (sold out) to tears

    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!
    10fursecu

    Accurate movie. tough to watch

    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!

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The movie was filmed in an actual prison named Jilava Penitentiary in its old wing Fort 13 where torture and killing happened for real to the prisoners in the communist era.

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 4, 2019 (Romania)
    • Country of origin
      • Romania
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • Romanian
    • Also known as
      • Между страданием и верой
    • Production company
      • La Steaua Film Studio
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 5 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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