Mr Lazarescu, an elderly man who likes a tipple and lives with his cats, becomes ill but, firstly, getting an ambulance to come out to him and then getting him to a hospital that will actually provide the appropriate care for him becomes nearly impossible.

This Romanian film is admirably directed by Cristi Puiu, with Ioan Fiscuteanu delivering a deeply affecting lead performance as Mr Lazarescu.

This is horror- the horror of ageing, isolation and institutions completely failing in their basic duties. This is to healthcare what I, Daniel Blake is to trying to claim disability benefits. I kept thinking of Kurosawa’s Ikiru throughout too. I’m so glad some filmmakers are brave enough to shine a light on the kind of people who we either just walk past or who remain hidden from the world.

4 out of 5 stars