Collective is a 2019 Romanian documentary film directed by Alexander Nanau. The film focuses on the aftermath of a 2015 fire at the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest that killed 27 people and injured 180 others. The deaths of burn victims in the days and weeks following the accident reveal a web of corruption and mismanagement within the healthcare system.
The film follows investigative journalists at the Romanian newspaper Gazeta Sporturilor, who begin to uncover a widespread corruption scandal that implicated numerous state institutions, hospitals, and politicians. As the reporters dig deeper, they discover that the disinfectants used in hospitals to treat burn victims were heavily diluted and ineffective, leading to widespread infection and numerous deaths.
The film follows the journalists as they confront the government officials responsible for the corruption and push for accountability and justice for the victims and their families. Along the way, they encounter resistance from the government and powerful interests who seek to cover up the scandal and discredit their reporting.
Collective is an immersive and uncompromising look into a dysfunctional system that exposes corruption, propaganda, and manipulation that affect not only Romania, but societies around the world. It is a powerful and timely reminder of the importance of investigative journalism and the need for transparency and accountability in public institutions.