Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 76th Locarno Film Festival last August, Romanian director Radu Judi’s new film, Don’t Expect Too Much From the End of the World, hit theaters this week. With a press average of 4.1/5, this modern and satirical retelling of Alice in Wonderland generally won over French critics in attendance at AlloCiné (14 for media, Thursday, September 28, 2023).
What are you doing?
Angela, a production assistant, travels to Bucharest for an advertisement about workplace safety on behalf of a multinational company. This “Alice in Wonderland” meets her grueling day: big businessmen and real stalkers, rich and poor, people with serious disabilities and sex partners, her digital avatar and other Angelas from old forgotten movies, Westerns, Cat. And even a Mad Hatter’s watch…
What does the press think?
According to Les Fiches du Cinéma:
“Radu Judi offers a new cinematic alien, an aerial charge with a substance as sublime as its highly inventive staging choices. (Florent Bute) 5/5
According to Les Inrockuptibles:
“Radu Judi offers one of the great political films of the year. Rarely has a film displayed all the cynicism and contempt for neoliberal capitalism in such a striking way.” (Robin Vine) 5/5
According to Cahiers du Cinéma:
“No wait… it’s as full as an egg, you must have a stomach: after all, this is the capture of the age of nausea and satiety. Cinema is no exception to the general pollution in Judea. For this massive impurity, which is no longer just a theoretical option, has become a daily, biological and mental experience. (Herve Obron) 4/5
According to Critikat.com:
“Radu Judi’s aesthetic combines various influences to invent a form that is, nevertheless, already unlike any other, at once edgy and strangely racing.” (Josue Morel) 4/5
According to L’Obs:
“The amphetamine version of Alice in Wonderland is just delightful.” (Francois Forestier) 4/5
According to Le Monde:
“Through the editing, given the relative shock of the images, Radu Judy establishes himself as one of Jean-Luc Godard’s rare credible disciples.” (Mam. Mt.) 4/5
According to the Prime Minister:
“Masterful. This poignant comedy, politicized at heart, has the elegance of being at a distance, as if to better allow for introspection. Radu Jude is afraid of nothing, and especially of not letting his film speak for itself.” (Lucy Chicker) 4/5
According to Defector:
The Romanian filmmaker respects the art of collage in the vein of Isidore Isu, Godard or Debord, in order to force the images to recover their power of protest. It reminds us of their political power, condemning the uberization of a society that is deprived. Basic Labor Rights”. (Severin Dunfluss) 4/5
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
