Comoara (The Treasure)

Comoara (The Treasure) is a breath of fresh air. Costi (Cuzin Toma), a young family man, lives in Bucharest. One day, he is approached by his neighbour Adrian (Adrian Purcarescu) who believes there may be treasure hidden in the grounds of his grandparents’ home, but he cannot afford to hire a metal detector. The two make a deal to split whatever they uncover and, having hired an expert to help them, Costi and Adrian set out to scour an old garden for buried treasure.

Romanian director Corneliu Porumboiu defies the usual conventions of a classic adventure. There are no pirate ships, dastardly villains, or damsels in distress; his is a far more subtle, and unusual modern take on the treasure-hunt scenario, but even without the usual trimmings, there is a purity to the story which is reminiscent of a children’s book, like the ones Costi likes to read his son before bed. In keeping with this idea, Costi himself shows a desire to play the hero in his son’s eyes.

The film’s charm lies in its simplicity. It is completely lacking in pretence; there is nothing remarkable about its technical or stylistic techniques, and yet it succeeds in capturing the heart of its viewers. The same can also be said of the characters, who remain as incomplete but equally engaging as if they belong in a nursery rhyme; Costi’s personality reveals itself through his actions rather than through endless, broody close-ups of him.

Porumboiu refers to Comoara as a farce of sorts, and though it may have elements of the absurd about it, it is above all a lighthearted, life-affirming little tale, guaranteed to leave a smile on even the most cynical face.

Nina Hudson

Comoara (The Treasure) does not have a UK release date yet.

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