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Uppercase Print (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Uppercase Print (2021) movie poster

Uppercase Print is a 2021 drama directed by Radu Jude, starring Serban Lazarovici as Mugur Calinescu, Ioana Iacob and Alexandru Potocean. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and earned $9,417 worldwide. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$9.4K
Echo Score
83
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Uppercase Print (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Director
Radu Jude
Genre
Drama
Original language
Romanian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Uppercase Print About?

The premise of Uppercase Print without spoilers.

In 1981, the Romanian city of Botoşani was marked by defiant chalk messages calling for freedom and change. A teenage graffiti artist, Mugur Călinescu, found himself targeted by the secret police. This true story served as inspiration for a powerful documentary exploring the oppressive surveillance tactics of the Ceauşescu regime. Using archival television footage, seemingly innocuous cooking shows, and revealing wiretapped conversations, the film offers a daring exposé of an Orwellian state and the courage of those who dared to speak out.

Uppercase Print Themes & Keywords

· 4 tags
  • communism
  • securitate
  • teenager
  • secret
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Cast & crew

Uppercase Print Cast & Characters

Serban Lazarovici leads the cast as Mugur Calinescu, with Ioana Iacob as Mama and Alexandru Potocean. Directed by Radu Jude; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Uppercase Print

· 5 more
Ratings

Uppercase Print Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Uppercase Print 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

83 /100

Uppercase Print Echo Score Breakdown

Uppercase Print delivers a compelling examination of Romania’s recent history through a visually assertive style and thoughtful thematic construction. Critics highlight the film’s striking cinematography and its ambitious exploration of language and power, which together create a resonant emotional impact. While the narrative’s deliberate pacing may demand patience from some viewers, the overall craftsmanship and intellectual depth sustain engagement. The result is a largely successful work that rewards attentive audiences.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    ART: The film’s visual composition stands out as a primary strength, with critics noting its spare yet striking cinematography that evokes the atmosphere of the Securitate era. Production design and measured editing reinforce the period authenticity, while the director’s form‑bending approach adds a distinctive aesthetic layer. Consequently, the artwork achieves a high level of craft excellence.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    CHARACTER: Performances convey a measured emotional intensity that aligns with the film’s thematic focus on individual resistance. Reviewers observe that the lead portrayal delivers a quietly devastating punch, and the ensemble chemistry sustains the narrative’s moral weight. Although the script prioritizes ideas over personal nuance, the overall character work remains effective and contributes to the film’s emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 75

    STORY: The narrative weaves a complex tapestry of historical and philosophical inquiry, earning praise for its originality and intellectual ambition. Critics commend its ability to interrogate language and power, though some note that the deliberate pacing can feel demanding, requiring patience from viewers. Overall, the story’s depth and measured flow create an engaging, if occasionally demanding, cinematic experience.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    SENSORY: The film’s auditory and visual elements combine to produce a cohesive sensory landscape, highlighted by a restrained yet evocative sound design and an understated color palette. Critics remark on the striking visual evocation of the secret police’s methods, which reinforces the thematic tension. While the soundtrack receives limited commentary, the overall sensory execution supports the narrative’s immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    REWATCH: The film’s dense historical layering and philosophical probing offer depth that may reveal new insights on subsequent viewings, encouraging repeat engagement for attentive audiences. However, its deliberate pacing and requirement for patience could diminish immediate replay appeal for casual viewers. Consequently, the rewatch factor is moderate, rewarding those willing to invest time and analytical focus.

Box office

Uppercase Print Box Office

Uppercase Print grossed $9,417 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.4K

International
$9.4K
Videos

Uppercase Print Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Uppercase Print.

Tipografic majuscul | Trailer | Berlinale 2020
Details

Uppercase Print Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “塗鴉少年祕密檔案” and “Заглавными буквами”.

Also known as
  • 塗鴉少年祕密檔案
  • Заглавными буквами
  • Letra Maiúscula
  • Drukowanymi literami
  • Nagybetűkkel a szabadságért
  • Kapitálky
  • 大写的印刷体

Seen Uppercase Print?

FAQ

Uppercase Print FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Uppercase Print, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Uppercase Print?

Uppercase Print runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was Uppercase Print released?

Uppercase Print was released on November 10, 2021.

Who directed Uppercase Print?

Uppercase Print was directed by Radu Jude.

More films by Radu Jude

Who is in the cast of Uppercase Print?

Uppercase Print stars Serban Lazarovici as Mugur Calinescu, Ioana Iacob as Mama and Alexandru Potocean, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Uppercase Print make at the box office?

Uppercase Print grossed $9,417 worldwide.

How is Uppercase Print rated?

Uppercase Print has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Does Uppercase Print have a post-credit scene?

No. Uppercase Print has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Uppercase Print in?

The original language of Uppercase Print is Romanian.

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