12:08 East of Bucharest

In Vaslui, Romania, residents gather after the Communist regime has fallen to discuss how to commemorate this significant moment in their history. This gathering reflects both a desire for remembrance and the complexities of their shared past.

Virgil Jderescu, the director of the local television station, proposes a live talk show aimed at exploring whether a true revolution occurred in their city. He believes that the timing of citizens taking to the streets in relation to Ceausescu's escape is crucial to determining the nature of their actions.

As Jderescu prepares for the show, he receives disappointing news: the anticipated guests decline his invitation to participate. Their reluctance hints at the sensitive nature of discussing the revolution and raises questions about the public's willingness to confront their past.

In light of the guest cancellations, Jderescu must improvise by inviting Tiberiu Manescu, a once-prominent professor, and Emanoil Piscoci, an elderly man with a peculiar history. Their participation marks the beginning of an unpredictable and controversial discussion on the show.

The live talk show kicks off with Professor Manescu passionately sharing his claims of being a revolutionary who confronted the dictatorship. His recounting is filled with bravado, aiming to establish his place in the history of Vaslui's resistance.

As the discussion unfolds, viewers begin to call in and challenge Manescu's claims, suggesting that he might have been inebriated during the significant events he describes. This unexpected pushback introduces tension and conflict into the once straightforward narrative.

The talk show takes a chaotic turn as the arguments between Manescu and the callers intensify. His agitation is palpable, leading him to direct criticism at local dignitaries involved in the revolutionary narrative, significantly shifting the tone of the discussion.

During the heated exchanges, the audience learns that Virgil Jderescu was not merely a journalist but a textile engineer. This revelation adds an element of irony to the proceedings, questioning the authenticity of those leading the conversation about historical truth.

As the conversation devolves, the previously quiet Emanoil Piscoci begins to share his own unique perspectives, highlighting the bizarre and absurd aspects of their discussions. His contributions further illustrate the chaotic nature of remembering and recounting history.

What started as a civil discourse transforms dramatically into a grotesque spectacle. The talk show, intended to honor a significant historical moment, becomes a mix of trivialization and farce, showcasing the complexities surrounding collective memory in post-revolutionary Romania.

Despite the chaos, the events of the talk show prompt various residents and viewers to reflect on their shared history and contemporary identity. This suggests that even trivial actions can provoke meaningful conversations about the past and its implications for the future.