Fjord

At what point does genuine concern and compassion for the welfare of children cross the line into an overstated politically correct witch hunt built on, at best, circumstantial evidence? Should government agencies be given carte blanche powers to tell parents how to raise their children (particularly when cultural, religious and philosophical considerations are involved), and when (and what kind of) limits should be imposed? And can the statements of allegedly victimized children be unquestionably trusted without undeniably convincing evidence to back up their contentions, especially if they have axes to grind with their parents? Such are the questions raised in this fact-based domestic docudrama from writer-director Cristian Mungiu, a picture that captured the prestigious *Palme d’Or* and FIPRESCI Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. When the Gheorghiu family relocates from...