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Comedy drama

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians (2019): Cast & Ratings

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians (2019) movie poster

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Radu Jude, starring Ioana Iacob as Mariana Marin, Alexandru Dabija and Claudia Ieremia. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and earned $39,171 worldwide on a $2 million budget. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$39.2K
Echo Score
72
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I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m (140 min)
Director
Radu Jude
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
Romanian
Budget
$2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians About?

The premise of I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young artist searching for inspiration finds himself drawn into a tumultuous period marked by conflict and moral ambiguity. His journey becomes a profound exploration of the human condition amidst the brutality of war, revealing the difficult choices and consequences faced by those caught in extraordinary circumstances. The story delves into the complexities of history and the impact of conflict on individuals and societies.

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • male nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
  • male pubic hair
  • male frontal nudity
  • female nudity
  • reference to ludwig wittgenstein
  • reference to karl marx
  • reference to elvis presley
  • reference to ernest hemingway
  • reference to mein kampf
  • reference to napoleon
+27 more
  • reference to emil cioran
  • reference to the holocaust
  • reference to raul hilberg
  • reference to pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky
  • reference to richard wagner
  • war crime
  • massacre
  • reference to hannah arendt
  • reference to friedrich nietzsche
  • reference to uncle vanya
  • john keats quotation
  • cat
  • female rear nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • romanian new wave
  • reference to the battle of gettysburg
  • herero and nama genocide
  • actor
  • actress
  • bathtub
  • infidelity
  • racism
  • 1940s
  • long title
  • text based poster
  • male rear nudity
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Cast & crew

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Cast & Characters

Ioana Iacob leads the cast as Mariana Marin, with Alexandru Dabija as Movila and Claudia Ieremia. Directed by Radu Jude; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians

· 6 more
From the director

More from Radu Jude

More films directed by Radu Jude, best-rated first: Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World, Uppercase Print, Aferim! and Scarred Hearts.

Full filmography
Ratings

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

72 /100

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Echo Score Breakdown

The film presents a formally ambitious and thematically provocative experience that stimulates reflection on national memory. Its confident direction and inventive formal constructs earn praise for visual and intellectual daring, while its essayistic narrative sometimes undercuts dramatic urgency. Character moments offer skillful performances yet remain emotionally distant, and pacing is measured rather than kinetic. Ultimately, this is a challenging work that rewards viewers seeking rigorous analysis, even as its emotional resonance is uneven.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    Art and craft are a standout strength. Direction demonstrates confident rule-breaking, cinematography complements the dialectical tone with compelling compositions, and production design effectively contextualizes modern and historical settings. Editing maintains a measured rhythm, though occasional discursions reduce dynamic energy. Overall, the film’s formal construction is both ambitious and assuredly executed, delivering a visually coherent and intellectually rigorous presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    Character and emotion reveal mixed results. Acting is consistently assured, with the lead sustaining a rousingly lewd humor and compelling presence. However, deeper emotional resonance remains limited, and character interactions occasionally feel more argumentative than heartfelt. Chemistry fluctuates across the ensemble, hindering sustained engagement. In sum, performances exhibit technical skill but offer only sporadic emotional connection.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Synthesis of narrative flow and thematic originality yields varied engagement. The story’s probing of national amnesia and moral accountability is conceptually compelling and original. Pacing, however, leans toward the discursive, delaying dramatic payoff until the final sequences. Plot coherence balances essayistic fragments with overarching argumentation, sometimes at the expense of momentum. Overall, the narrative is thought-provoking but uneven in its dramatic propulsion.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels in visual cohesion and sound design. The cinematography employs a restrained palette that underscores historical resonance, while production design fluidly alternates between past and present milieus. The score and soundtrack subtly reinforce thematic tension without overpowering dialogue. Sound mixing is clear and balanced. Overall, the audio-visual presentation is refined and thematically attuned.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When considering rewatch value, the film presents intellectual depth that benefits subsequent viewings. Nuanced thematic layers and incisive meta-commentary invite reflection upon multiple viewings. Nonetheless, its discursive structure and deliberate pacing may challenge casual audiences on repeat. While the richness of ideas sustains interest, emotional distance may limit broader rewatch appeal. Overall, the film offers meaningful rewards for attentive repeat viewings.

Plot

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Plot Summary

What happens in I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the heart of Bucharest, a talented young film director named Mariana Marin is immersed in the rehearsal of a powerful dramatic reenactment that delves into a dark chapter of Romania’s past. This period dates back to 1941 when the fascist regime led by Marshal Antonescu allied with Hitler to invade the Soviet Union. Their justification for this invasion stemmed from two main goals: the first being the reclamation of territories taken by Stalin in 1940, which were integrated into the Soviet republics of Moldavia and Ukraine. The second objective was far more sinister, aiming to cleanse these lands—as well as to pursue further territorial aspirations in Ukraine, particularly Odesa—of Jews and Roma.

Full summary

The whole story of I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Box Office & Budget

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians grossed $39,171 worldwide on a $2 million budget. $11,307 came from the US and Canada and $27,864 (71%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$39.2K

US & Canada
$11.3K
International
$27.9K
Budget
$2M
US & Canada 29% Rest of the world 71%
Videos

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

„I Do Not Care If We Go Down In History As Barbarians” OFFICIAL TRAILER
  • Trailer I DO NOT CARE IF WE GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS BARBARIANS Trailer | TIFF 2018
  • Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the film's reenactment take place?

Details

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “나는 야만의 역사로 거슬러가도 상관하지 않는다” and “« Peu m'importe si l'Histoire nous considère comme des barbares »”.

Also known as
  • 나는 야만의 역사로 거슬러가도 상관하지 않는다
  • « Peu m'importe si l'Histoire nous considère comme des barbares »
  • Mir ist es egal, wenn wir als Barbaren in die Geschichte eingehen
  • 野蛮人として歴史に名を残しても構わない
  • Peu m'importe si l'Histoire nous considère comme des barbares
  • Мне плевать, если мы войдем в историю как варвары
  • Не ме интересува дали историята ще ни запомни като варвари
  • Не занима ме да ли ћемо се уписати у историју као варвари
  • „Je mi jedno, že se zapíšeme do dějin jako barbaři“
  • 我們都是食人族
  • Eu Não Me Importo Se Entrarmos para a História como Bárbaros
  • Je mi jedno, že sa zapíšeme do dejín ako barbari
+3 more
  • 野名留史又如何
  • Nie obchodzi mnie, czy przejdziemy do historii jako barbarzyńcy
  • 羅馬尼亞野蠻史

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FAQ

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians, each answered in a sentence.

How long is I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians?

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).

When was I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians released?

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians was released on July 19, 2019.

Who directed I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians?

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians was directed by Radu Jude.

More films by Radu Jude

Who is in the cast of I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians?

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians stars Ioana Iacob as Mariana Marin, Alexandru Dabija as Movila and Claudia Ieremia, among 10 credited actors.

How much did I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians make at the box office?

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians grossed $39,171 worldwide ($11,307 domestic, $27,864 international) on a budget of $2 million.

How is I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians rated?

I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians have a post-credit scene?

No. I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians in?

The original language of I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians is Romanian.

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