The winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2007, this is one of the finest films ever produced in Romania. Writer/director Cristian Mungiu (Occident) not only explores the emotional trauma involved in an abortion, but also exposes the venality of life under the detested Ceausescu regime. Set in Bucharest in the late 1980s, the story of student Anamaria Marinca's bid to help roommate Laura Vasiliu terminate her pregnancy is full of agonising moments, from their encounter with exploitative backstreet abortionist Vlad Ivanov to Marinca's nightmarish family dinner party. Mungiu and cinematographer Oleg Mutu (who also photographed The Death of Mr Lazarescu) achieve a relentless control over the action that captures place, performance and psychology with devastating simplicity. But such is the naturalism of the acting and direction that this never feels like re-created reality. Rather, it's a compassionate insight into how humanity somehow manages to survive the vicissitudes, cruelties and compromises of existence.

Two college roommates have 24 hours to make the ultimate choice as they finalize arrangements for a black market abortion.