I felt, not being very knowledgeable about Romania in that era, that the film didn't provide enough context to come to a judgment on Ceaucescu. Was he an evil genius who kept everyone under foot, or someone who filled a vacuum of power. What forces in the society brought him to power and kept him there? At the end he seemed to have suffered a stroke or some form of senility which made him a bit of pathetic character.
shareWell, to quote from the DVD's booklet: "This is not a documentary in the classical sense, but more an essay on megalomania, propaganda, becoming and cinema. The film does not include explanations about the communist period - therefore spectators used to TV documentaries might feel puzzled."
The fact that it didn't provide enough context makes it a dazzling view in my eyes. You can see him however you want to: good, bad, mad, genius. The choice is entirely yours.
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