In the middle of a recent Zoom interview with Radu Jude, the renowned Romanian director of “Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World,” he provided insight into his creative process. He brought out a book he was reading about commedia dell’arte and then shared his screen to reveal a collection of texts and images saved on his computer, including Van Gogh still lifes, Giacometti sculptures, and Japanese haikus. Jude stopped at a picture he took of a sign on an apartment building entrance.
“It says ‘Please have oral sex so as not to disturb the other tenants,’” Jude explained with a grin, translating from Romanian.
Jude, a self-taught filmmaker, blends tragedy and farce in his work, drawing inspiration from various sources to create bold visions of Romanian history and contemporary life.
His earlier film, the Golden Bear winner “Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn,” starts with a humorous sex tape and ends with a witch trial. His latest film, “Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World,” will be released in U.S. theaters on Friday.
The dark comedy follows Angela, a film production assistant who spends her days in Bucharest shuttling clients and equipment around the city. One of her jobs involves interviewing former factory workers who were injured on the job for a corporate safety video. The film weaves scenes of present-day Angela with clips of a taxi driver named Angela from the 1980s.
Born and raised in Bucharest, Jude recalls the exploitation he witnessed in the Romanian film industry in the early 2000s. He emphasized the long working hours expected on sets at the time and the consequences of such practices.
Lead actress Ilinca Manolache was instructed by Jude to draw inspiration from Andy Warhol movies and Nico performances to infuse her character with a punk energy. Manolache’s alter ego, Bobita, created independently but featured in the film, showcases a rebellious spirit through frenzied outbursts.
Bobita emerges when Angela posts provocative videos online, inspired by social media personalities and her own frustrations with toxic masculinity. Despite initial skepticism from some, Jude appreciated the sordid satire and invited Manolache to star in his film.
Jude, known for his innovative approach, showcased his TikTok feed during the interview, highlighting unique expressions of life not typically seen in cinema. His unconventional style sets him apart from the traditional film scene.
Throughout his career, Jude’s artistry has garnered comparisons to Jean-Luc Godard for his political themes and experimentation with new media. However, Jude humbly accepts these comparisons and continues to push the boundaries of cinema, aiming to capture the beauty in all forms of imagery.
Jude’s freewheeling spirit and willingness to explore new ideas have led to unexpected projects, like his upcoming Dracula adaptation, which began as a joke during a pitch to producers.