California Dreamin' (Endless) (15)

A sly parable of war. A train of US Marines, escorting Nato equipment through Europe during the Kosovo war, is halted at a tiny station in Romania. The station master (Razvan Vasilescu) won't let them through without the correct paperwork, and in the ensuing delay the local mayor spots an opportunity to profit from their American guests. Old wounds are re-opened as the previous US intervention during the Second World War comes to light. Armand Assante as the Marines' captain does a nice line in stiff-jawed exasperation.

The "Endless" subtitle tells a sad tale; writer-director Cristian Nemescu hadn't finished editing the film when he and his sound editor, Andrei Toncu, died in a car crash in 2006. He was 27. On the evidence of California Dreamin', there is much to be regretted in his loss.