Uppercase Print is a 2019 documentary play directed by Gianina C?rbunariu and based on the real-life events of Mugur C?linescu, a teenager who began writing political slogans on the walls of his Romanian hometown in the 1980s. The play uses archival material and interviews with C?linescu himself to recreate the political climate of the time, which was dominated by the repressive regime of Nicolae Ceau?escu.
C?linescu's messages were simple but powerful, demanding basic human rights such as freedom of speech and access to food. At first, his actions were seen as a harmless teenager's prank, but as more and more slogans appeared, the authorities began to take notice. C?linescu was eventually arrested and sent to a juvenile detention center, where he was beaten and tortured by the secret police.
Uppercase Print explores the power of political dissent and the risks that activists face in repressive regimes. It also reflects on the legacy of the communist era in Romania and the continuing struggle for democracy and human rights. The play has been praised for its innovative use of documentary material and its powerful message of hope and resistance in the face of oppression.
