Watch California Dreamin'

California Dreamin' is a Romanian film from 2007 directed by Cristian Nemescu, who tragically died in a car accident shortly after completing the film. The movie centers around a train filled with NATO equipment that gets stuck in a small village in Romania during the Kosovo War in 1999. The villagers are eager to have the train pass through their village, as they believe it will bring prosperity and entertainment.

The leader of the NATO unit in charge of the train is Captain Doug Jones (Armand Assante), a hardened soldier who is frustrated with the situation and the incompetence of his Romanian counterpart, Doiaru (Razvan Vasilescu). He's also not too happy to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, as he has an important personal event to attend in Germany that he fears he will miss.

Meanwhile, a young orphaned music student named Adrian (Jamie Elman) arrives in the village with a group of musicians on their way to a music festival. The group's arrival coincides with the train's, and they're forced to stay in the village until the train moves on. Adrian is immediately smitten with the mayor's daughter, Monica (Maria Dinulescu), and sets out to woo her with his music.

The clash between the NATO soldiers and the villagers is the heart of the film, with each group struggling to understand the other's culture and point of view. The village is vibrant and colorful, with its own set of quirks and traditions that the NATO soldiers find baffling. Meanwhile, the soldiers are closed off and stoic, making it difficult for the villagers to connect with them.

The film deals with themes of cultural exchange, misunderstanding, and the clash between tradition and modernity. It's a quirky, offbeat movie that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. The acting is solid throughout, especially Armand Assante's gruff portrayal of Captain Jones. Jamie Elman is lovable as the naive Adrian, and Razvan Vasilescu brings depth to the role of Doiaru, the Romanian officer in charge.

The cinematography is also standout, with beautiful shots of the Romanian countryside and the train itself. Director Cristian Nemescu had a talent for capturing the vibrancy and chaos of the world around him, and his tragic death is a loss to the film industry.

The movie has a sense of humor and an irreverent energy that makes it stand out from more serious war films. It's also a celebration of music and art, with several musical performances by Adrian and his band scattered throughout the film.

California Dreamin' is a bittersweet film, as it's impossible to watch it without feeling a sense of loss for the talented director who created it. However, it's also a joyous celebration of the human spirit and the power of cultural exchange. It's definitely worth a watch for anyone looking for a unique and heartfelt film.

California Dreamin' is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.