Seven Days and a Coke
Two strangers suffering from borderline personality and social anxiety disorders meet for a one-night stand.
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Alecs NastoiuDirector
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Alecs NastoiuWriter
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Rina GriProducer
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Alecs NastoiuProducer
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Rina GriKey Cast"Marika"
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Sebastiano KinigerKey Cast"Enzo"
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Anastasia RaykovaCo-Producer
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David RoyzengurtCo-Producer
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Claudia CiocanCinematography
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Bogdan OrculaEditor
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Filip StanciuSound Recordist
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Andrei NechiforSound Design
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Bogdan JugureanuColor Grading
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Cristian BucaMake-up
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:14 minutes 58 seconds
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Completion Date:November 1, 2023
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Country of Origin:Romania
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Country of Filming:Romania
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Language:English
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Aspect Ratio:2.39:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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27th Long Island International Film Expo - LIIFELong Island, New York
United States
July 13, 2024
World Premiere
Winner - Best International Short Film -
27th Long Island International Film Expo - LIIFELong Island, New York
United States
July 13, 2024
World Premiere
Nomination - Best Actress -
50th FILMETS Badalona Film FestivalBadalona
Spain
October 17, 2024
Official Selection -
13th Richmond International Film FestivalRichmond, VA
United States
Semi-Finalist -
PASAJE International Film FestivalBistrita
Romania
September 21, 2024
Official Selection
SHORT BIOGRAPHY
Alecs Nastoiu is a Romanian filmmaker who discovered his passion for storytelling while studying directing at Bucharest University of Drama and Cinematography “I.L. Caragiale” (UNATC). During his studies, he also practiced film editing, gaining valuable experience in crafting compelling visual narratives.
Alecs is known for his multifaceted approach to independent filmmaking. Beyond writing and directing, he has also taken on roles such as editor and cinematographer for several projects. He is deeply involved in all aspects of filmmaking, overseeing both production and post production departments, from production design and costumes to sound editing, music, and color grading.
In 2016, he made his debut as a feature film director with "Billion Star Hotel". Following this, Alecs wrote and directed the short film "The Girl Who Is Selling Fish" before completing his second feature, "The Secret of Pin-Up Island", which explores themes of mental health. He further explored these themes with the short film "Seven Days and a Coke."
Alecs is a filmmaker dedicated to experimenting with new and innovative techniques and styles, particularly in narrative and visual storytelling. His work often addresses global issues such as mental health, diversity, and discrimination.
His films have received recognition at various international film festivals, with "The Secret of Pin-Up Island" recently winning Best Production Design at the 49th edition of the Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival.
FILMOGRAPHY
Seven Days and a Coke (2024), Short (Director, Screenwriter, Producer)
The Secret of Pin-Up Island (2023), Feature Film (Director, Screenwriter, Producer)
The girl who is selling fish (2022), Short (Director, Screenwriter, Producer)
The Outtake (2021), Short (Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor)
Billion Star Hotel (2016), Feature Film (Director, Screenwriter, Producer)
5 years or 5 minutes? (2008), Short (Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor)
A new home (2007), Short (Director, Screenwriter)
Street of Happiness, no. 9 (2004), Short (Director, Screenwriter)
I am constantly trying to write stories which explore themes that could truly allow people to be at peace with themselves: loving life & embodying gratitude, respect for other people, sympathy, and hope. Seven Days and a Coke focuses on the idea behind the treatment of the mentally ill, that the patients don't need only medication, they need the basics as well: love, care, support, and acceptance for who they are.
The film also focuses on contemporary social issues and human interactions. Both characters are trapped in nowadays society, trying to find a way out of the unemotional system in which the social structures repeat their patterns in a specific way, driving people away from their authentic needs and desires. Even when they like or love each other, some people are not good at expressing their feelings. They struggle to connect with others, which is probably due to different traumas from their past. But at the same time, they need to feel love, they need to be given the chance to share their love for others, and most of all they need acceptance.
I can say from my personal experience that living abroad presents a unique set of challenges that can test people’s adaptability and resilience. From conquering language barriers and making new friends to adjusting to a different pace of life or coping with the distance from home, these hurdles are an integral part of this generation’s experience. Enzo and Marika are embracing these challenges of living abroad and ultimately, overcoming these obstacles will help them overcome their traumas.
Mental health isn't just about mental illnesses. It's also about maintaining a positive state of wellbeing. So, I am convinced that talking about mental health through films helps improve the audience by making it more acceptable for those suffering from mental illnesses to seek help, learn to cope, and get on the road to recovery.