The Secret of Pin-Up Island

Saw the premiere in Romania, and almost went to sleep. Characters lack depth and you can't really care about them. The story has loop holes, no buildup whatsoever. Animations are really amateur-ish.

They basically copied the idea of video games, the secret of monkey island, but everything was poorly put into place.

The dialogue was in e dubbed English, studio edited, you could see at many times bad lip sync, and not to mention the pronunciation which had the audience not really understand what the actors were meant to say in that scene.

The only thing to be appreciated was the stunning filming location of the abandoned film factory in targu mures romania.

Going into The Secret of Pin-Up Island, I thought I was in for a typical sci-fi or a quirky adventure story. Wow, was I wrong! What I found was an intelligent, deeply philosophical exploration of mental health, trauma, and self-reflection. The film uses symbols and metaphors in such a smart way that you can't help but dive deeper into the story with each scene.

As someone who has been in therapy for years, I truly appreciated how the film approached this subject. Mental health isn't something that's talked about enough, especially in Eastern Europe, and it's incredibly refreshing to see a film that tackles these issues head-on. Alecs Nastoiu has done a phenomenal job at creating a piece that resonates on so many levels. Rina Gri's performance as Alesia, especially in those long, thought-provoking monologues, reminded me of the patience needed to truly listen to someone with trauma. It's a film that challenges you - it requires your full attention, but if you give it that, it'll reward you in ways you didn't expect.

I didn't know what to expect when I walked into The Secret of Pin-Up Island, but I left utterly mesmerized. The film dances between surrealism and reality, reminding me of the quirky absurdity of Jeunet's Delicatessen or the rich, allegorical storytelling of Emir Kusturica's Underground. The way the characters interact with each other, with exaggerated gestures and absurd moments, creates a unique atmosphere that is both unsettling and deeply emotional.

Rina Gri's performance as Alesia was unforgettable. There's something about her that evokes a sense of innocence, much like Giulietta Masina's characters, but there's also this deep, almost clown-like sadness that she carries with her. The ensemble cast is equally strong, each character contributing to the strange yet compelling world that Alecs Nastoiu has built. The film doesn't shy away from its experimental approach, and I respect that. It may not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate bold, imaginative filmmaking, this is a must-see.

The final twist hit me hard, and I can't stop thinking about it. The film left me wanting to see it again, just to unravel all the layers of meaning. Hats off to Alecs Nastoiu for taking such creative risks and pulling it off with grace.

As a fan of films with strong female representation, The Secret of Pin-Up Island took my breath away. Not only does it feature an all-female cast - something you rarely see - but the story itself dives deeply into exploring women, their vulnerabilities, and their inner strength. It brought to mind classics like The Women (1939) directed by George Cukor, but with a surreal twist that makes it stand out.

I had the chance to watch this incredible film at TIFF Romania, and I couldn't help but feel emotional, especially in that final scene where Alesia, played so beautifully by Rina Gri, sings with such raw emotion. I cried. The tears just came because I saw myself and so many other women I know in her. And what a joy to see not just the cast but so many women behind the camera too! It felt like a true celebration of women's voices in film, both in front of and behind the scenes.

This film has done something really important by giving women the space to tell complex, multifaceted stories. Bravo to Alecs Nastoiu and the whole team for creating something so powerful!

As someone who has seen countless Romanian films in the past decade, I was pleasantly surprised by The Secret of Pin-Up Island. Don't get me wrong, I respect the Romanian New Wave for what it is, but sometimes you get tired of all the bleak, depressing stories about life's hardships. This film was like a breath of fresh air.

Thank you, SimFest, for screening this film during the festival. It doesn't feel like the typical Romanian movie - it feels global, universal. The production value alone makes you think it came out of Hollywood! The themes, though grounded in Romania, speak to everyone, no matter where you live. Mental health, trauma, self-discovery... these are international issues, and I'm so glad a Romanian director like Alecs Nastoiu took the bold step of tackling them in such a unique way.

There's this absurd, yet brilliant scene in the CEO's office (no spoilers, I promise!), and it had me laughing with a sense of irony because it's so true to life. This is a film that gives you hope while making you think, and I can't wait to see it again when it hits theaters.