Trailer for the documentary Maramures.
Christmas time in a village in Maramures, Northern Romania: a time for family reunions. Those who have left the village come home for the winter vacation, particularly as old rituals and traditional celebrations go on ceaselessly from Christmas to New Year's Eve in the rural area. These people pride themselves on having preserved their identity; they have the self-consciousness of being the descendants of the free Dacians, as neither the Roman legions nor other intruders succeeded to conquer their territory. This does not prevent them from looking for a better life elsewhere. The neighboring city used to be their goal until 1989, when another more attractive destination became possible: Western Europe, where work is better paid. The film features a family which is emblematic for what Maramures is today. The elderly perceive city life with disbelief and ironic amusement. The young dream of the “promised land” whether it be in the city next door or in the West, although all they know of the West is based on television cliches and home videos. Some of those who have already left do plan to return after they've made enough money. In doing so, they will also bring their new experiences with them. How this will affect the life in rural Maramures, is hard to predict. After all, who in the village would have dreamed only a few years ago that they would use bulbs from a parade on the Champs Elysee as Christmas decorations?