NY Premiere
Post-Screening Q&A with director Ilinca Calugareanu and moderated by Making Waves president, Corina Suteu
A Cautionary Tale plunges us into the surreal odyssey of a man who, after 25 years abroad, returns home only to discover he’s been declared legally dead. This stranger-than-fiction story made international headlines in 2018, exposing the absurdity of a system that refused to acknowledge his existence despite his physical presence in court. Director Calugareanu embeds herself in his arduous quest to reclaim his identity, capturing both his desperation and unwavering determination. As the film delves deeper, however, unsettling questions arise about his narrative. Was he truly a victim of bureaucratic blunder, or is there a hidden truth lurking beneath the surface? This thought-provoking exploration, laced with dry humor, leaves viewers grappling with the complexities of truth and the thin line between victim and manipulator.