There are dual narratives at play in the documentary Uppercase Print. One deals with the investigation of a graffiti artist who promoted democratic and pro-worker ideals in Botosani, Romania during the dictatorial rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu. The other details the onslaught of state-sanctioned educational and news propaganda of the same era. It makes for an eye-opening, disturbing experience.
Director Radu Jude adapts a stage play almost word-for-word for the first narrative. Written by Gianina Cărbunariu, the play details the case of high schooler Mugur Călinescu, who called for an end to poverty and for free trade unions through various graffiti artworks in Botosani. In response, Romania (going overboard, as Jude makes it clear) mobilized entire armies of informants who bugged phones and threatened youths to demand who was responsible. Mugur (portrayed wonderfully by Serban Lazarovici) is soon denounced and dies years later under enigmatic circumstances.
Then comes the agitprop. The juxtaposition of Mugur’s story with the blatant propaganda machine of Romania during the time is enough to turn anyone’s stomach. As Mugur and his family were being interrogated and abused, you see newsreel footage of jolly Romanians, acting like everything is fine under Ceaușescu.
At one point, a teleprompter malfunction interrupts three well-dressed presenters praising the country. Without having their lines fed to them, they stand in silence, having absolutely zero ideas on how to proceed. Jude produces a glimpse of two worlds, and Uppercase Print forces viewers to dig deeper into how a country can trick the outside world, shielding its malevolence.
Academic libraries should select this film for students studying 20th-century politics, propaganda, and history.