Sieranevada: Cristi Puiu’s beautifully made drama is an exemplary specimen of the dysfunctional family gathering sub-genre. The dialogue and the character interaction are engaging, the acting natural (it’s a very strong ensemble). A few things raise this entry above the usual: the drama is universal while the dialogue is very specific to a particular time and place, which make for a winning combo; the way it’s staged and shot (by Barbu Balasoiu), which conveys the claustrophobic sense of being a part of the meeting, moving from conversation to conversation, missing the beginning and end (but always grasping the big picture), in essence being the only family (or quasi-family) member that doesn’t want to say anything.