ROMANIAN FILM FESTIVAL IN LONDON
The Other Side of Hope
Thu 22 Sun 25 November 2012
WWW.PROFUSION.ORG.UK WWW.ROFILMFEST.COM FACEBOOK.COM/ROFILMFEST
Renoir Cinema The Brunswick London WC1N 1AW Tube: Russell Square
THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 7.00pm / Gala Screening
BEYOND THE HILLS
Directed by Cristian Mungiu Romania/France/Belgium, 2012, 150 mins
FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2012 6.00pm
PRINCIPLES OF LIFE
Directed by Constantin Popescu Romania, 2010, 97 mins
SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2012 5.25pm
EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY Directed by Radu Jude Romania/Holland, 2012, 107 mins
Followed by a special reception hosted by The Embassy of Romania, from 8.00pm details from press@rofilmfest.com
SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2012 5.25pm
PERIFERIC
Directed by Bogdan George Apetri Romania, 2010, 87 mins
Tickets: £11.50/£9.70 Cineastes (Curzon Members; read about Curzon membership at the end of this document). Bookings: In person, online www.curzoncinemas.com or by phone 0330 500 1331. NOTE: All films are shown in Romanian with English subtitles.
Special guests from Romania will attend selected screenings and connected events, giving London the chance to find out more about Romania s cinematography straight from the source. During the 9th anniversary of the Festival, we welcome to London a line-up of Romania s most talented Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur, stars of Beyond the Hills , Rodica Lazãr starring in Principles of Life , Mihaela Sîrbu from Everybody in Our Family , Ana Ularu from Periferic and actor extraordinaire Victor Rebengiuc who returns to greet his London fans for a special screening of Medal of Honour . Well known author and journalist Liviu Antonesei, a long-term friend, supporter, and adviser of the Festival will be present in London for the screenings and Q&A sessions, together with Eugen ªerbãnescu, President of the National Centre of Cinematography in Bucharest, the traditional partner of the Festival, and Alina Sãlcudeanu, the Centre s Head of International Relations.
MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2012 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) One Exchange Square London EC2A 2JN 6.30pm
MEDAL OF HONOUR
Directed by Cãlin Peter Netzer Romania, 2009, 103 mins
Free entry but registration is mandatory EBRDevents@ebrd.com Preceded by a drinks reception from 5.30pm - all invited.
Image on the cover shows Cosmina Stratan in Beyond the Hills by Cristian Mungiu
INTRODUCTION The 9th edition of The Romanian Film Festival (RFF) in London is a unique opportunity to enjoy a showcase of Romania s most exciting new films. The Romanian Film Festival took off in 2003. The Romanian New Wave was about to take off at the same time, highlighting remarkable actors and young directors. Supported and inspired by these sparkling new talents, the Festival went from strength to strength. For example, in Britain, we were the first to screen the short films and the debut feature of the prizewinning director Cristian Mungiu, who went on to forge an international reputation, and remains a friend and supporter of the event. In the ensuing years a long list of actors and directors have shown their work at the RFF, then developed into household names. At the same time the Festival has continued to celebrate the classic Romanian cinema, acquainting British audiences with the best in our tradition. In 2004, for example, the highlight of the festival was the Lucian Pintilie Retrospective, which featured a stimulating appearance by the director. The Festival has always been an important means of transmitting a positive message about Romania, and the rest of the East and Central European region. In contrast to routine media coverage, the films being screened are among the few positive contributions to images of life in the region. Ironically, the New Wave directors have been among the most acute and perceptive critics of Romania s post revolutionary society, but this has been far from promoting a negative image of the country. Instead, in London, Berlin, Cannes and New York, their films have been recognised as a challenge to stereotypes, offering audiences a detailed understanding of Romanians as individuals like themselves. The Festival is a not-for-profit enterprise, functioning with the help of grants and sponsorship from our numerous friends and supporters. Many thanks to you all. We look forward to celebrating together the Romanian cinema in London. See you on the red carpet! Ramona Mitricã, Festival Director
Cristina Flutur and Cosmina Stratan
THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 7.00pm
Cannes 2012 Award for Best Screenplay
Cristian Mungiu for Beyond The Hills
BEYOND THE HILLS - Gala Screening
Directed by Cristian Mungiu Romania/France/Belgium, 2012, 150 mins
Followed by Q&A with actresses Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur
Cannes 2012 Award for Best Leading Actress (Tie)
Cosmina Stratan & Cristina Flutur for Beyond The Hills
BEYOND THE HILLS
Directed by Cristian Mungiu. Romania/France/Belgium, 2012, 150 mins With Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuþã Inspired by the non-fiction novels of Tatiana Niculescu Bran UK distribution Artificial Eye A drama centred on the friendship between two young women who grew up in the same orphanage. One of them has found refuge at a convent in Romania and refuses to leave with her friend, who now lives in Germany. Cristian Mungiu has delivered a brilliant, scary portrayal of irrationality and fear in Europe s dark heart. Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian ... confirms Mungiu as a maturing talent with more universal stories to tell than those defined by Romania s recent political past. Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter
CRISTIAN MUNGIU Born in Iaºi, Romania, in 1968. A graduate of the National University of Theatre and Film, Bucharest (1998), Cristian Mungiu also studied English and American Literature at the University of Iaºi (graduated 1993). Cristian started his directorial activity with a series of short and medium length films made in 2000-2001: Zapping, Firemen s Choir (Corul pompierilor), Nothing by Chance (Nici o întâmplare). His first feature film, Occident, was premiered in 2002 at the Quinzaine des Realisateurs at Cannes. It was followed in 2007 by the acclaimed Cannes Palme d Or winner 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (4 luni, 3 sãptãmâni ºi 2 zile), and in 2009 by the portmanteau Tales from The Golden Age (Povestiri din Epoca de Aur). Both films premiered at Cannes, in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Cristian s new feature film, Beyond the Hills (Dupã dealuri), was premiered at the 2012 Cannes Festival, where it picked up the award for Best Screenplay and the award for Best Actress, shared by Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur.
On the red carpet at Cannes: Cristina Flutur, Cristian Mungiu, and Cosmina Stratan COSMINA STRATAN The leading role in Beyond the Hills represented the debut in feature films of ex-journalist and actress Cosmina Stratan. At the Cannes Film Festival, 2012, she won the award for best actress, a prize shared with Cristina Flutur who also made her debut in the same film.
CRISTINA FLUTUR For actress Cristina Flutur, the leading role in Beyond the Hills represented her debut in feature films and brought her the award for best actress at Cannes Film Festival, 2012, a prize shared with actress Cosmina Stratan who also made her debut in the film. Cristina Flutur, born in Iaยบi, in 1978, studied languages at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iaยบi, and
Cosmina was born in Iaยบi, Romania, in 1984. She studied journalism and advertising before graduating in acting from the National University of Theatre and Film, Bucharest. She acted in several short films during her studies, while working as a journalist and winning awards for her work as a TV reporter.
graduated in 2000, before studying acting in Cluj. Immediately after ending her studies in 2004, Cristina joined the cast of the National Theatre Radu Stanca in Sibiu, where she currently works. As a theatre actress she has played a wide range of parts, from Shakespeare and Chekhov to Steinbeck and Ionesco.
Vlad Ivanov and Gabriel Huian
FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2012 6.00pm
PRINCIPLES OF LIFE
Directed by Constantin Popescu Romania, 2010, 97 mins
Followed by Q&A with actress Rodica Laz達r
Rodica Laz達r
PRINCIPLES OF LIFE
Directed by Constantin Popescu. Romania, 2010, 97 mins With Vlad Ivanov, Gabriel Huian, Rodica Lazãr Velicanu considers himself to be a fulfilled person. He has money, a new villa, he is married to a young woman with whom he has a baby and he has a son from his first marriage. Before the holidays, he must leave his business in good order, but things get a little bit complicated. The eventual crisis is revealing...
RODICA LAZÃR Rodica is a prolific young Romanian actress, a familiar face on Romanian and international television. Featuring in dramatized documentaries, TV movies, and feature films, she has a long list of screen credits to her name. These include: Youth Without Youth (2007) by Francis Ford Coppola, The
CONSTANTIN POPESCU Born in 1973, in Romania. Before deciding to embark on film-making, Constantin Popescu graduated in Spanish and English from the University of Bucharest, and worked as a translator, and production and director assistant. Constantin started a series of short films in 2004, with The Apartment (Apartamentul), which was followed by A Lineman s Cabin (Canton) in 2005, Water (Apa) in 2006 and The Yellow Smiley Face (Faþa galbenã care râde) in 2008. He also directed a segment of the portmanteau film Tales From The Golden Age (Amintiri din Epoca de Aur). His debut feature length film was premiered in 2009, The Portrait Of The Fighter As A Young Man (Portretul luptãtorului la tinereþe). Principles of Life (Principii de viaþã), Constantin s second feature film, was premiered in 2010 at the San Sebastian Film Festival (Spain).
Death of Mr. Lãzãrescu (Moartea domnului Lãzãrescu, 2005) by Cristi Puiu, Amen (2002) by Costa Gavras. Presently she is working on feature film Carmen by Doru Niþescu, and Principles of Life (2010) by Constantin Popescu is her most recent feature film to hit the international circuit.
Mihaela Sîrbu and ªerban Pavlu ªerban Pavlu and Sofia Nicolaescu
SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2012 5.25pm
EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY Directed by Radu Jude Romania/Holland, 2012, 107 mins
Followed by Q&A with actress Mihaela Sîrbu
EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY
Directed by Radu Jude. Romania/Holland, 2012, 107 mins With ªerban Pavlu, Mihaela Sîrbu, Sofia Nicolaescu, Gabriel Spahiu, Tamara Buciuceanu-Botez, Stela Popescu, Alexandru Arºinel Marius is a divorced man in his late thirties. His ex-wife, Otilia, has remarried an accountant. Their 5-year-old daughter, Sofia, lives with her mother, causing Marius a deep frustration. According to the law, Marius can only spend a limited amount of time with his daughter. The day Marius goes to take his daughter on a short holiday to the seaside, he finds out that his ex-wife is not at home and he is told that his daughter is sick. He doesn t believe it and tries to take Sofia by force...
MIHAELA SÎRBU worked as an actress in Romania, Switzerland and Germany. She also teaches at the Drama Department of the National University of Theatre and Film, Bucharest, and taught acting in Germany, at the Athanor Akademie. In 1996 she founded the independent theatre group Teatrul fãrã Frontiere, for which she acts as a manager and director.
RADU JUDE Born in Bucharest, in 1977. A graduate of the Media University - Film directing (2003). Radu Jude s 2006 short film The Tube With A Hat (Lampa cu cãciulã), is the Romanian short film which has won the most awards. It was followed by the shorts In The Morning (Dimineaþa) and Alexandra, both in 2007. Radu s debut feature-length film came in 2009: The Happiest Girl In The World (Cea mai fericitã fatã din lume). It was followed by the medium length Film For Friends (Film pentru prieteni) in 2011, and, in 2012, by his second feature film Everybody In Our Family (Toatã lumea din familia noastrã).
Her theatre credits include classical and contemporary plays starting from 1994 she is renowned for her interpretations of Neil LaBute s characters at Teatrul Act. Her film credits include numerous short films, the feature film The Phantom Father (Tatãl fantomã, 2011), which marks her debut as lead actress, and Radu Jude s feature Everybody in Our Family. In 1999 she also performed in the ZDF movie Making Off by Igor Bauersima.
SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2012 5.25pm
PERIFERIC
Directed by Bogdan George Apetri Romania, 2010, 87 mins
Followed by Q&A with actress Ana Ularu
Ana Ularu
PERIFERIC
Directed by Bogdan George Apetri. Romania, 2010, 87 mins With Ana Ularu, Andi Vasluianu, Mimi Brãnescu, Ioana Flora Midway through her prison sentence, Matilda is granted a 24-hour temporary release. Unwilling to return to jail, she plans to escape and flee the country. But before the day is over, Matilda must first confront her troubled past.
ANA ULARU is a young Romanian actress who had her screen debut at the age of 9, in the French-Romanian coproduction for M6 Channel, Meurtres par procuration, followed one year later by another French speaking part in Passion Mortelle. At the age of 16 she starred in the stage-adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov s Lolita at Teatrul Mic in Bucharest. A graduate of the National University of Theatre and Film, Bucharest, her
BOGDAN GEORGE APETRI Born in Piatra Neamþ, Romania, in 1976. Bogdan George Apetri is a double graduate of New York s Columbia University in Film Direction and Cinematography (2006). Prior to his film studies, Bogdan studied and practiced Law in Bucharest. His first film was Alex and Eliza (medium length, in 2000). It was followed by a series of short films: The Arrival of the Train at the Station and Corny in 2002, Crossing in 2003, A Very Short Trilogy About Loneliness (O foarte scurtã trilogie despre singurãtate) in 2006, and Last Day of December (Ultima zi din decembrie) in 2008. Periferic (aka Outbound), premiered in 2010, is Bogdan George Apetri s debut feature length film.
credits include Film, Theatre and Television. She was awarded the Boccalino Award (International Film Critics Award) at Locarno for Best Actress, as well as Best Actress in the Thessaloniki Film Festival for her performance in Bogdan George Apetri s debut film Periferic. A Shooting Star for Romania in 2012, her latest work includes Susanne Bier s Serena, where she played Rachel, and Charlotte D Albret in Showtime series The Borgias.
MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2012 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) One Exchange Square London EC2A 2JN 6.30pm
MEDAL OF HONOUR Directed by C達lin Peter Netzer Romania, 2009, 103 mins
Free entry but registration is mandatory EBRDevents@ebrd.com Preceded by a drinks reception from 5.30pm - all invited. Followed by Q&A with award-
winning actor Victor Rebengiuc
Victor Rebengiuc
MEDAL OF HONOUR
Directed by Cãlin Peter Netzer. Romania, 2009, 103 mins With Victor Rebengiuc, Camelia Zorlescu, Radu Beligan, Mircea Andreescu, Ion Lucian One day Ion, a 75-year-old man (played by the prolific actor Victor Rebengiuc), accidentally receives a Medal of Honour for some "heroic" actions back in WW2, times he barely remembers. The medal forces Ion to reconsider his whole life. Maybe he wasn t all the time just a loser. Maybe his life has a meaning. Maybe he means something to his family. Full of irony, humour and meaning, this film is a real treat. Rebengiuc is terrific Variety
VICTOR REBENGIUC is one of the most distinguished Romanian stage and screen actors, a real acting legend with a career spanning more than 50 years. In 1957, he made his debut as a member of the famous Bulandra Theatre company, acting in more than 200 roles on that stage alone. With his breakthrough performance in Liviu Ciulei s The Forest of the Hanged (Pãdurea spânzuraþilor) Rebengiuc became a major figure in Romanian cinema, idolised for his 1986 appearance in Stere Gulea s
CÃLIN PETER NETZER Born in 1975, in Petroºani, Romania. Aged 8, he migrated to Germany with his family, coming back to Romania in 1994 to study Film Direction at the National University of Theatre and Film, Bucharest (graduated in 1999). After a series of short films, Cãlin Peter Netzer s debut in feature length film came in 2003 with Maria. Cãlin s second feature length film, Medal of Honour (Medalia de onoare) was premiered in 2009. It received the Gopo Award - the Romanian Oscars - for Best Actor (Victor Rebengiuc) and Best script (Tudor Voican). At the moment, Cãlin Peter Netzer is working on his third fulllength film.
Moromeþii. He has also starred in films by Dan Piþa (Tãnase Scatiu; Sand Cliffs - Faleze de nisip) and Lucian Pintilie (Carnival Scenes - De ce trag clopotele, Miticã?; The Oak - Balanþa; Too Late - Prea târziu; Last Stop Paradise - Terminus paradis; Niki and Flo - Niki Ardelean, colonel în rezervã; Tertium non datur). Victor Rebengiuc has worked with all the greats of Romanian cinematography while also working for younger directors such as Cristi Puiu, Radu Muntean, Lucian Georgescu, or Cãlin Peter Netzer.
A WALK ON THE DARK SIDE Profusion Publishers in London introduce a trio of novels from Romanian authors, along with a nonfiction book which is a social review of Romania in the 70s, with a serial killer s story as a central focus. Attack in the Library (Atac în bibliotecã) by George Arion is one of the classic narratives of Romanian popular fiction, written during the dictatorship of the 1980s in the finest Noir tradition. Kill the General (Ucideþi generalul) by Bogdan Hrib is an exciting and suspenseful thriller, a rollercoaster ride through the transitions which
have taken place over the last decades in Romanian history. Anatomical Clues (Indicii anatomice) by Oana StoicaMujea features a crime-fighting heroine who is unique not only in the landscape of Romanian literature, but possibly also in that of modern crime writing. Rimaru - Butcher of Bucharest (Rîmaru Mãcelarul Bucureºtiului) by Mike Phillips and Stejarel Olaru is a factual account of the crimes committed by serial killer Ion Rîmaru in 1970-71 Bucharest, the result of exhaustive research in previously inaccessible and secret files.
The Profusion books make up a coherent map of the politics, the culture and the social issues within one of the most complex, inaccessible societies on the European continent, and they represent a new and thrilling intervention in the arena of true crime and crime fiction, within a market which has shown itself ready and eager to accommodate fresh thinking and new points of view. For details, go to www.profusion.org.uk All Profusion Crime Books are available in paperback from Profusion.org.uk, Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones.com and Blackwell.co.uk, as well as Kindle e-books.
CURZON MEMBERSHIP Become a member of Curzon Cinemas and receive: discounted admission for you and a guest at all times, two free tickets on joining, exclusive free members previews (applies to cardholder only), priority booking on selected events (up to three days), Curzon magazine delivered to your door, 15% off DVDs, Curzon on Demand, bar (including alcohol) and Curzon snacks, DVD when you renew and a discounted renewal price. Price: £50 Single/£40 Concessionary per annum. For a list of membership benefits please visit curzoncinemas.com/membership or call 0330 500 1331 or email membership@curzoncinemas.com
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS The Festival is a not-for-profit enterprise, functioning with the help of grants and sponsorship from our numerous friends and supporters. Many thanks to you all.
ROMANi ONLiNE, EuroTop, Levenes, The Romanian Embassy in London, O2, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), DNS Associates, Lycamobile, Universal Business Travel (UBT) Ltd, Mihai Eminescu Trust (MET), Prodan Romanian Cultural Foundation, Albinuta.co.uk, SGS Creative Services, Trasys, Diaspora Rom창neasc찾, Stylewhiz, TibTrans, British Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Ziarul Rom창nesc, Romanian Business Club, Artificial Eye.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Romanian Film Festival in London is organised by Profusion International Creative Consultancy, in partnership with The National Centre of Cinematography in Bucharest and Curzon Cinemas in London.
www.rofilmfest.com press@rofilmfest.com Facebook.com/RoFilmFest
Find us on Twitter @RomanianFilmLDN YouTube.com/RoFilmFest issuu.com/rofilmfestlondon
THANK YOU
Ramona Mitricã Festival Director Dr Mike Phillips OBE Festival Consultant Mihai Rîºnoveanu Design / Event Producer Dan Mitricã Webmaster
Friends of the Festival: Sir George Iacobescu, Mihai Rãdoi, His Excellency Dr Ion Jinga, Eugen ªerbãnescu, Alina Sãlcudeanu, Ana Santos, Liviu Antonesei, Adrian Cherciu
Special thanks to:
Victor Rebengiuc, Cristian Mungiu, Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Rodica Lazãr, Mihaela Sîrbu, Ana Ularu, Constantin Popescu, Radu Jude, Bogdan George Apetri, Cãlin Peter Netzer, Andra Sonea, Bogdan Ciobotaru, Laura Lazãr, Eugen Androne, Irina Ionescu, Bianca Mina, Narcisa Niþã, Joana Schmitzer, David Parkinson, Cãtãlina Harabagiu, Cristiana Mitea, Jason Wood, Nigel Stowe, Laura Kloss, Kumar Muniandy, Joanne Taylor, Ella Knight, Flora Menzies, Debbie Rowland, Louisa Dent, Jon Rushton, Ben Luxford, Jake Garriock, Claire Ricklefs, Dan Suliman, Sorin Cehan, Zoia Tasente, Costel Tasente, Marcel Istrate, Sorin Lãstun, Sadiye Allsop, Remus Robu, Kat Richards, Rebecca Edwards, Ramona Maria Sofinet, Murat Kalay, Sumit Agarwal, Mariana Mîndru, Consuela Timofte, Dean Kirk, Doina Cruttenden, Jessica Douglas-Home, Olivia Temple, Robert Temple, Michael Lee, Mihnea Vasilache, Adina Luca, Iulia Calotã, Tiberiu Antohi, Anne-Marie Martin, Raymond Breden, Sandra Gâdea, Nicole Ion, Alex Gâlmeanu, Codrin Prisecaru, The Special Guest Stars, Daniel Ivaºcu, Cãtãlin Vãºtagu, Sergiu Popuþa.
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