Dan Pita, internationally acclaimedRomanian filmmaker (his Stone Wedding, Orienteering, and Chained Justice have all shown at PFA), hasmade another extraordinary film in Paso Doble, a classical love story embedded in incisive social criticismand the rich film language for which he is known. Two bachelor factory workers-one a rugged charmer, theother shy and lovestruck-share a room at the workers' hostel and grow devoted to one another. Inevitably,the extrovert makes a move on his pal's beloved-an unwed mother-and the friendship breaks apart. Love'slabors are multi-purpose, however, since catching a woman and marrying her is the only chance for abachelor to move out of the collective lodgings. Fine, sensitive acting complements Pita's often audaciousfilm style to make this a fascinating, if not particularly flattering, glimpse into contemporary Romanianyouth. The film becomes a metaphor for Pita's own obsession with the human condition-starting, as thedirector writes, "from the need we, the humans, feel for discovering meanings and values of a mysticalcharacter in everyday, trivial, commonplace existence..." Prize winner, Berlin Film Festival '88.