Closer to the Moon

In the midst of post-war Communist Romania's rigid hierarchy, a clandestine gathering of high society elite, known as the Ioanid Gang, convenes in Bucharest's capital city to announce their ambitious film project. The assembled throng includes Max Rosenthal (Mark Strong), Alice Bercovich (Vera Farmiga), Dumi Dorneanu (Tim Plester), Răzvan Orodel (Joe Armstrong), and Iorgu Ristea (Christian McKay). Witness to this declaration is Virgil, a young café worker with a penchant for observation. Under the guise of filmmaking, the Ioanid Gang orchestrates a daring heist on the National Bank of Romania. The following day, Virgil finds himself drawn to a film set, where he encounters the director, Flaviu (Allan Corduner), who dispatches him on a mission to procure vodka.

Eight months prior to the heist, Max, Dumi, Iorgu, and Răzvan, celebrated heroes of the resistance during World War II, gather to mark the dawn of 1959. Max's marital woes are compounded by his impending divorce from Sonia (Monica Bîrlădeanu), while Alice returns from Moscow with their son, Mirel (Marcin Walewski) in tow. As she reintroduces Mirel to his father, the seeds of a newfound bond between them begin to take root.

As the Ioanid Gang commemorates Dumi's birthday, they indulge in nostalgic reminiscences about their early lives as revolutionaries. In a spirit of camaraderie, they casually concoct plans for the heist, seeking to stir up anti-Communist fervor within Romania. However, Max's unwavering dedication to the scheme convinces Dumi, Iorgu, and Răzvan to join him. Alice initially declines, citing her maternal responsibilities, but ultimately relents when Mirel expresses his desire to participate as the fifth member of their merry band.

As the group embarks on their ill-fated robbery, Alice's ire is piqued upon discovering Mirel capturing the event on film. Following a prolonged period of relative calm, Iorgu inadvertently compromises himself, prompting the authorities, led by Comrade Holban (Anton Lesser), to track down and apprehend each member of the Ioanid Gang on the very day that Luna 2 makes history by landing on the Moon's surface.

Here's a rephrased version of the section:

As Virgil (no actor name) settles into his role as an experienced camera assistant, he receives a call from his boss announcing the start of production on a short film. The project has been assigned to him, and he's tasked with capturing every moment on camera. As the truth begins to unravel, Virgil discovers that this isn't just any ordinary film - it's a propaganda piece created by the Ioanid Gang, notorious for their crimes. With the authorities breathing down their necks, the gang members are forced to star in the film as part of a Securitate-ordered deal.

Meanwhile, Alice (no actor name) begins to form a bond with Virgil, who's been privy to some disturbing information about the robbery that led to the Gang's conviction. When Flaviu gets drunk and passes out, Max takes charge, subtly passing on crucial information to Virgil during a filming session. The camera assistant is now tasked with reaching out to the gang members' loved ones, a mission he undertakes with the help of his landlord Moritz (David de Keyser).

One fateful night, Virgil receives an unexpected visit from Holban, who knows about his clandestine efforts on behalf of the Gang. He asks Virgil to continue helping them win their trust and requests that he find Alice's son, the missing sixth member of the group. As time runs out for the Ioanid Gang, a surprise development unfolds: during a chaotic moment on set, Alice makes a daring escape.

Virgil follows her to a secret meeting with her son, where they share an emotional goodbye. They later reunite at Virgil's home, where their bond grows stronger as they share a night together. The next morning, Alice surrenders to the authorities, leaving behind sealed instructions for Virgil. With Holban temporarily relieved of duty by Max's ex-brother-in-law (Darrell D'Silva), Alice's letter reveals a shocking truth: she had fallen pregnant at the last moment, leading to her sentence being commuted to life imprisonment.

As Iorgu, Dumi, Răzvan, and Max face their executioners, the film takes a poignant turn. In a voiceover, Alice shares her new reality - having emigrated to Israel with her son Mirel and daughter, leaving behind the turmoil of her past.