The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York
and the Film Society of Lincoln Center announce
the 6TH ROMANIAN FILM FESTIVAL
November 30-December 6
New York, NY, November 3, 2011- The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York and the Film Society of Lincoln Center are pleased to announce the line-up for the 6th Annual Romanian Film Festival in New York. After five successful years at Tribeca Cinemas, the festival will move to the Film Society of Lincoln Center and will take place from November 30 – December 6.
This year’s festival not only offers a change in location and partnership but also in scope and structure. In addition to an extensive offering of World and US premieres, the festival will also present two in-depth retrospectives celebrating the remarkable career of Liviu Ciulei (FOREST OF THE HANGED) and New Wave director, Radu Muntean (TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS).
The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York and FSLC announced that the 2011 edition of the film festival will be dedicated to the memory of Romanian film critic Alex Leo Şerban. For the past five years, Şerban has been the special guest of the Romanian Film Festival in New York and its most accurate and informed witness. The Romanian New Wave in cinema recognized in Alex Leo Şerban not only an uncompromising analyst, but also a mentor, who was an active international voice on behalf of Romanian cinema with many American organizations.
“There's no greater reward or recognition,” says Corina Şuteu, director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York, as well as the initiator and chair of the festival, “than being invited by the Film Society of Lincoln Center to partner in presenting the festival starting this year. I am confident that our consistent work around the inspiring Romanian New Wave achieved such institutional legitimacy. I also am hopeful this is only a new beginning.”
“Welcoming the Romanian Film Festival to Lincoln Center feels like a homecoming of sorts,” says Film Society Associate Program Director Scott Foundas. “In 2008, the Film Society had the pleasure of working together with the Cultural Institute on a major retrospective of classic and contemporary Romanian cinema, and we are delighted to now present another dynamic program on the 10th anniversary of the Romanian New Wave.”
Previous editions of the festival featured an emphasis on showcasing the best and most recent films from Romania’s contemporary cinema, but this year sees an expansion in offering a week-long presentation for the first time ever, offering an overview on the latest Romanian premieres – such as Marian Crişan’s MORGEN, Constantin Popescu’s PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, Cătălin Mitulescu’s LOVERBOY, Bogdan George Apetri’s OUTBOUND or Radu Gabrea’s RED GLOVES – as well as a broad array of special programs providing a more complex perspective on Romanian Cinema.
Romanian Film Festival artistic director, Mihai Chirilov says, “This year's selection of new features shows there is room for innovation and exploration beyond the already celebrated aesthetics of the recent wave of Romanian films. In one way or another, the characters in these movies are driven to go beyond – borders, routine, mundane reality, even themselves. Joining these films are treasures from the past that deserve to be rediscovered, completing the whole picture of contemporary Romanian cinema.”
Among the highlights of the festival this year are two special events. First and foremost, the festival will honor Liviu Ciulei, one of the legendary masters of Romanian theatre and film, who passed away this October. New York audiences will get a chance to see, in new prints, the very first U.S. retrospective of Ciulei’s outstanding directing career including ERUPTION (1957), DANUBE WAVES (1959), and FOREST OF THE HANGED (1964). Star of DANUBE WAVES, Irina Petrescu and Romanian film critic Magda Mihăilescu will attend introduce select screenings and participate in post-screening Q&As.
The festival’s second major event will focus on director Radu Muntean, one of the most active directors of the Romanian New Wave. One of the toasts of the 2010 Cannes and New York Film Festivals for his masterful marital drama TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS, Muntean returns for a retrospective of his remarkable body of work, including the world premiere of his new HBO documentary, VISITING ROOM, and an extended conversation with Film Society Associate Program Director Scott Foundas.
Other special events include a celebration of the New Romanian cinema, featuring the 10-year anniversary screening of Cristi Puiu’s seminal debut STUFF AND DOUGH, followed by a panel discussion with top U.S. and European critics, and a fundraising event dedicated to RCINY’s initiative The Andrei Şerban Travelling Academy, organized in collaboration with the MARA Society.
Additional guests attending the festival will include directors Marian Crişan (MORGEN), Radu Gabrea (RED GLOVES), Bogdan George Apetri (OUTBOUND), Mona Nicoară (OUR SCHOOL), actors Irina Petrescu (THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER), Vlad Ivanov (PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS and POLICE, ADJECTIVE) Gabriel Spahiu (ADALBERT’S DREAM, THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU and HIGH TENSION), Anamaria Marinca (BOOGIE and 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS), film critics Magda Mihăilescu and Jay Weissberg, and Tudor Giurgiu, the president of long time partner, Transilvania International Film Festival.
Tickets go on sale both at the box office and on-line Thursday, November 10. Discounts are available for Film Society members. Read more about The Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Public Screenings will be held at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater (located at 165 West 65th Street, between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway), unless otherwise noted. A selection of public screenings will also take place at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (located at 144 West 65th Street).
FILM DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE 2011 ROMANIAN FILM FESTIVAL
Opening Night Selection
MORGEN (2010) 100min
Director: Marian Crişan
Romania’s official Oscar submission for 2011 is a charming fish-out-of-water tale about a supermarket security guard who defies obtuse rules and his grumpy wife in order to help a friend in need: a Kurdish immigrant attempting to cross the border to Hungary on his way to Germany.
Wednesday, November 30 at 7:30PM and Friday, December 2 at 1:30PM
Followed by a Q&A with Director Marian Crişan.
Closing Night Selection
THE PAPER WILL BE BLUE (Hârtia va fi albastrã) (2006) 95min
Director: Radu Muntean
Country: Romania
One of the most important works of the Romanian New Wave, Muntean’s second feature plunges us into the confusion of the long night of Dec. 22, 1989, the final night of the Romanian Revolution. With no one sure who is running the country or if, perhaps, a counter-coup has restored Ceauşescu to power, a military tank command hunkers down in a quiet Bucharest suburb, awaiting orders but mainly trying to stay out of trouble. A young militiaman, Costi (Paul Ipate), eager to join the rebel forces, escapes from the unit and heads to the National Television station.
Tuesday, December 6 at 6:00PM
Followed by an extended Q&A with Radu Muntean and Film Society Associate Program Director, Scott Foundas.
U.S. Premiere
ADALBERT’S DREAM (Visul lui Adalbert) (2011) 101min
Director: Gabriel Achim
Country: Romania
Inventively shot with old-school VHS technology to match the drab look of Romania in the ‘80s, Gabriel Achim’s black comedy is based on a real story that took place in a factory at the time. It is the 8th of May 1986, the anniversary day of the Romanian Communist Party; a day celebrated with pomp, hypocrisy and fear by all institutions and factories of the time. But most importantly for Romanians, this is the day when the soccer team Steaua has won the Champions League after an epic penalty shootout.
Sunday, December 4 at 7:30PM.
Followed by a Q&A with actor Gabriel Spahiu.
U.S. Premiere
DIGGING FOR LIFE (Doina Groparilor) (2011) 55min
Director: Pavel Cuzuioc
Country: Romania
A remarkable documentary on a most unusual subject: the career gravediggers at Moldova’s Doina cemetery—the largest in Eastern Europe, comprising some 250,000 graves spread out over two million square meters of land. Director Pavel Cuzuioc follows these solitary men as they go about their solemn task in summer heat and winter frost, some having inherited the job from their fathers, all showing a sincere respect for their monotonous but necessary work.
Screening will take place at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
Friday, December 2 at 7:00PM and 8:15PM.
HELLO! HOW ARE YOU? (Bună, ce faci?) (2010) 85min
Director: Alexandru Maftei
Country: Romania/Spain/Italy
Reportedly the first Romanian romantic comedy in ages, Alexandru Maftei’s witty tale of errors sees an estranged husband and wife searching for their soul-mates online and entering an affair… with each other. Even more confused is their adolescent and sexually very active son Vladimir, when he finds out that his parents have desires, too.
Saturday, December 3 at 5:30PM.
KAPITALISM: OUR IMPROVED FORMULA (Kapitalism – Reţeta noastră secretă) (2010) 77min
Director: Alexandru Solomon
Country: Romania/France
Alexandru Solomon’s incisive documentary takes a look at Romanian capitalism and the new ruling class, uncovering its roots in the Communist past. Using a clever device, with the director inviting former dictator Ceauşescu to revisit his country 20 years after he was executed, the film follows seven people who played their role in the old system and are now active as top businessmen. In spite of its ironic approach and playful style (spiced up with humorous Lego animation), Solomon’s film is a frightening account of Romanian reality that works as the Wild East’s twin of Michael Moore’s CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY.
Screening will take place at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
Sunday, December 4 at 1:00PM and 3:00PM.
LOVERBOY (2011) 95min
Director: Cătălin Mitulescu
Country: Romania/Sweden/Serbia
Cătălin Mitulescu’s second feature, LOVERBOY, gets closer to the crude naturalism of IF I WANT TO WHISTLE, I WHISTLE, which he co-wrote and produced, than to the magic realism of his first film, THE WAY I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD. The premise of this gritty study on human trafficking is pure gold, as the loverboy’s victims willingly agree to sell their bodies out of blind love for their seducer. Mitulescu convincingly recreates this fractured adolescent universe in which money matters most, feelings are commodified, hormones waft about uncontrollably, and ethics is on a long lunch break.
Saturday, December 3 at 10:00PM.
OUR SCHOOL (Şcoala noastră) (2011) 93min
Director: Mona Nicoară & Miruna Coca-Cozma
Country: Romania/USA/Switzerland
This verité documentary co-directed by Brooklyn-based Mona Nicoară follows the trials and tribulations of three Roma (commonly known as “Gypsy”) children struggling against indifference, tradition, and bigotry in a small Transylvanian community. Shot over the course of four years and touching on issues ranging from institutionalized racism to public education to the intractability of poverty, OUR SCHOOL is an affectionate yet infuriating story about generational prejudice and squandered opportunities.
Thursday, December 1 at 9:00PM.
Followed by a Q&A with Co-director Mona Nicoară.
OUTBOUND (Periferic) (2010) 80min
Director: Bogdan George Apetri
Country: Romania/Austria
This fast-paced drama directed by Columbia University alumnus Bogdan George Apetri charts the whereabouts of a hard-edged female convict who, given a day pass to attend her mother’s funeral, plans to flee the country. But before boarding the boat that waits by the sea coast, Matilda (Ana Ularu) meets her estranged brother, whose life is ruled by his religious wife, her indebted ex-boyfriend Paul, a hotel owner turned pimp, and her son Toma, whom Paul has sent to an orphanage during her prison-time.. An official selection of the Locarno, Toronto, and New Directors/New Films festivals.
Sunday, December 4 at 1:00PM.
Followed by a Q&A with Director Bogdan George Apetri.
U.S. Premiere
PRINCIPLES OF LIFE (Principii de viaţă) (2010) 95min
Director: Constantin Popescu
Country: Romania
Following his scene-stealing supporting roles in 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS and POLICE, ADJECTIVE, Vlad Ivanov takes center stage in director Constantin Popescu’s wryly comic portrait of a frazzled everyman—a middle-aged, upwardly mobile husband and father with a successful business, a new home under construction, and a seemingly picture-perfect marriage (his second). However, the more he tries to keep his carefully ordered universe in a state of calm, the more it descends into chaos—from a blocked parking space to the tumult of a crowded supermarket to the moody indifference of his teenage son (from his first marriage).
Saturday, December 3 at 7:30PM.
Followed by a Q&A with actor Vlad Ivanov.
U.S. Premiere
RED GLOVES (Mănuşi roşii) (2010) 117min
Director: Radu Gabrea
Country: Romania/Germany
Radu Gabrea’s unsettling adaptation of Eginald Schlattner’s novel dares to confront the “obsessive decade” (as the ’50s were dubbed in Romania) in all its disturbing complexity. Conceived as a claustrophobic chamber piece, this is the movie of a tragic guilt that goes all the way in its exploration of the limits of a young Saxon writer (newcomer Alex Mihăescu) pressured to incriminate his literary colleagues during months of intense interrogation and psychological torture caught in the vise of a repressive system.
Thursday, December 1 at 6:00PM.
Followed by a Q&A with Director Radu Gabrea.
10th Anniversary Screening
STUFF AND DOUGH (Marfa şi banii) (2001) 90min
Director: Cristi Puiu
Country: Romania
The “stuff” in this debut feature by Cristi Puiu—one of the first examples of the post-Ceauşescu Romanian filmmaking renaissance—is a satchel full of black-market prescription drugs. The “dough” is 2,000 lei promised to small-town teen Ovidiu (Alexandru Papadopol) if he agrees to hand-deliver the package to Bucharest on behalf of a local gangster (Răzvan Vasilescu). He does, inviting his slacker friend Vali (Dragoş Bucur) along for the ride, who in turn invites his apathetic girlfriend Bety (Ioana Flora). This unlikely trio then takes to the highway, and a hilariously deadpan road movie results.
Sunday, December 4 at 3:30PM.
Followed by a panel discussion about the 10 years of the Romanian New Wave. Moderated by Romanian Film Festival Artistic Director Mihai Chirilov and Film Society Associate Program Director Scott Foundas. Panel discussion is offered FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
Liviu Ciulei Retrospective
U.S. Premiere
New 35mm print
DANUBE WAVES (Valurile Dunării) (1959) 110min
Director: Liviu Ciulei
Country: Romania
Ciulei’s second feature recalls the best of Fritz Lang and Michael Curtiz in its WWII-era espionage tale, set on a barge transporting Nazi munitions up the Danube. Ciulei himself gives a superb performance as Mihai, the barge captain forced to navigate the heavily mined waters along with his new bride, Ana (Irina Petrescu). As the journey wears on, Mihai becomes increasingly suspicious of one of his crew, ex-convict Toma (Lazăr Vrabie), and his intentions towards Ana. But Toma has a far graver—and potentially deadly—secret to conceal.
Friday, December 2 at 8:30PM.
Introduced by actress Irina Petrescu.
U.S. Premiere
New 35mm print
ERUPTION (Erupţia) (1957) 108min
Director: Liviu Ciulei
Country: Romania
Ciulei’s impressive debut feature—produced in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Romanian oil industry—unfolds in a nearly deserted oil town where a few remaining prospectors linger, hoping against hope for the titular rush of black gold. Into this bleak setting arrives an ambitious young student from the big city, who finds herself drawn to the charismatic engineer Barbu. But it is not long before her presence in this lonely place stirs dormant passions in the hearts of the other men as well.
Friday, December 2 at 3:45PM.
FOREST OF THE HANGED (Padurea spânzuraţilor) (1964) 154min
Director: Liviu Ciulei
Country: Romania
During the most brutal days of World War I, Apostol Bologa (the extraordinary Victor Rebengiuc), a Romanian serving as a lieutenant in the Austro-Hungarian Army, is part of the Court Martial that punishes deserters and other problem soldiers. Gradually the horror of his routine builds up inside of him, forcing a choice between his military duty and greater feelings of humanity. Ciulei’s most ambitious and masterfully realized film, particularly striking in its impressionistic landscape photography, FOREST OF THE HANGED earned Ciulei the Best Director prize at the 1965 Cannes Film Festival and became the first Romanian feature to attract widespread international attention. It remains one of the cinema’s greatest studies of the dehumanizing effects of war.
Friday, December 2 at 6:00PM.
Introduced by film critic Magda Mihăilescu.
Radu Muntean Retrospective
BOOGIE (2008) 102min
Director: Radu Muntean
Country: Romania
Before TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS, Muntean co-wrote and directed this equally affecting study of a man and a woman at a critical juncture in their relationship. During a vacation at the Black Sea with his three-year-old son and pregnant wife Smaranda, Bogdan (Dragoş Bucur) unexpectedly bumps into two old friends from his hellraising bachelor days (when he was known by the nickname “Boogie”). Soon, Smaranda (Anamaria Marinca) finds Bogdan reactivating the bad habits she thought he’d put behind him, placing yet more tension on their already strained partnership.
Thursday, December 1 at 3:30PM.
Introduced by Director Radu Muntean.
THE PAPER WILL BE BLUE (Hârtia va fi albastrã) (2006) 95min
Director: Radu Muntean
Country: Romania
See CLOSING NIGHT SELECTION.
U.S. Premiere
THE RAGE (Furia) (2003) 82min
Director: Radu Muntean
Country: Romania
In debt to the Gypsy mafia for $7,000 after failing to throw an illegal street race, wayward youths Luca (Dragoş Bucur) and Felie (Andi Vasluianu) ensnare Luca’s high-school friend, Mona (Dorina Chiriac), in their scheme to repay mob boss Gabonu (Adrian Tuli). But these not especially well-laid plans quickly go awry, Luca and Mona go on the lam, and THE RAGE blossoms into an unexpected romance—albeit with the threat of danger ever present.
Sunday, December 4 at 5:30PM.
Introduced by Director Radu Muntean.
TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS (Marţi, după Crăciun) (2010) 95min
Director: Radu Muntean
Country: Romania
In Muntean’s closely observed, brilliantly acted relationship drama—a Romanian SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE—middle-aged Paul (Mimi Brănescu) must choose between his wife of 10 years, Adriana (Mirela Oprişor), and his mistress, pediatric dentist Raluca (Maria Popistaşu). As Paul’s attempts to conceal his adultery box him into an ever narrowing corner, Muntean heightens the suspense by staging the film in a series of immaculately framed and choreographed long takes, in which his trio of actors convey the raw emotional states of their characters without ever devolving into histrionics. Oprişor, Brănescu’s real-life wife, is a particular revelation as the oblivious and then wounded Adriana, astonishing in her portrayal of one woman’s betrayal, hurt, and spite.
Monday, December 5 at 6:00PM.
Followed by a Q&A with Director Radu Muntean.
World premiere
VISITING ROOM (Vorbitor) (2011) 62min
Director: Radu Muntean and Alexandru Baciu
Country: Romania
Radu Muntean and his longtime collaborator Alexandru Baciu (who co-wrote THE PAPER WILL BE BLUE, BOOGIE, and TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS) find love where one least expects it, throwing a compassionate look on long-term convicts who found their soul-mates while confined. For this clean-cut, nonjudgmental documentary made for HBO Romania, the directors maintain a steady distance from their subjects, yet manage to enter their most intimate thoughts. For people who no longer have anything left to lose, embracing love possibly represents their only hope for a better future.
Monday, December 5 at 8:30PM.
Followed by a Q&A with Director Radu Muntean.
Shorts Program
(Total run time: 132min)
The Shorts Program will screen at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center on Friday, December 2 from 1:00PM-6:30PM and Saturday, December 3 from 4:00PM-11:00PM. These screenings are FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
BORA BORA (2010) 32min
Director: Bogdan Mirică
Country: Romania
Wishing to put an end to his bad luck while living in a drought-affected area, a man commits to work for a foreigner, unaware of the fact that he is becoming involved in illegal activities. This offbeat, Kaurismaki-like comedy won Best Romanian Short at the 2011 Transilvania International Film Festival.
DRAFT 7 (2011) 23min
Director: Luiza Pârvu
Country: Romania
In this graduation short that graciously recalls Wong Kar-wai’s IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, two young actors, Olimpia and Edi, meet in an Irish pub in downtown Bucharest and start rehearsing for their next film.
SILENT RIVER (Apele tac) (2011) 31min
Director: Anca Miruna Lăzărescu
Country: Romania/Germany
Romania, 1986. Gregor and Vali want to get away, swimming across the Danube to Yugoslavia. Both need each other, yet there is mutual distrust. One night Gregor finds his doubts confirmed. In the end only hope is left. A 2011 Berlin Film Festival selection.
STOPOVER (2010) 14min
Director: Ioana Uricaru
Country: Romania
Ingrid is a beautiful and cosmopolitan Romanian woman married to a Norwegian. While waiting for her connecting flight in an Italian airport, her wallet is stolen and she’s left without passport, money, and boarding pass. This subtle story about compromise was written by Cristian Mungiu (4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS) and competed last year in Sundance.
STRUNG LOVE (2010) 21min
Director: Victor Dragomir
Country: Romania
Viorel, a nerd from the smithing class in a Communist-era professional school, enters a rivet-manufacturing contest hoping to win the attention and affection of Ileana, a schoolmate from the sewing class. Yet another ironic but endearing tale from the Golden Age.
SUPERMAN, SPIDERMAN OR BATMAN (Superman, Spiderman sau Batman) (2011) 11min
Director: Tudor Giurgiu
Country: Romania
Aron, a 5-year-old boy, sets out with his worried father on a journey, and at the end, he wants to save his mother suffering from a heart condition, like a superhero. From the director of LOVE SICK. Nominated for the European Film Academy award.
PUBLIC SCREENING SCHEDULE FOR THE 6TH ROMANIAN FILM FESTIVAL:
Screening Venues:
The Film Society of Lincoln Center – Walter Reade Theater (WRT)
165 West 65 Street, between Broadway & Amsterdam (upper level)
The Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (EBMFC)
144 West 65th Street, between Broadway & Amsterdam
Wednesday, November 30
7:30PM MORGEN (100min) (WRT)
Thursday, December 1
3:30PM BOOGIE (102min) (WRT)
6:00PM RED GLOVES (117min) (WRT)
9:00PM OUR SCHOOL (93min) (WRT)
Friday, December 2
1:00PM-6:30PM Shorts program-continuous (132min) (EBMFC) **FREE TO THE PUBLIC
1:30PM MORGEN (100min) (WRT)
3:45PM ERUPTION (108min) (WRT)
6:00PM FOREST OF THE HANGED (154min) (WRT)
7:00PM DIGGING FOR LIFE (55min) (EBMFC)
8:15PM DIGGING FOR LIFE (55min) (EBMFC)
8:30PM DANUBE WAVES (110min) (WRT)
Saturday, December 3
2:00PM Conversation with…Irina Petrescu (60min) (Romanian only) (EBMFC) **FREE TO THE PUBLIC
4:00PM-11:00PM Shorts program-continuous (132min) (EBMFC) **FREE TO THE PUBLIC
5:30PM HELLO! HOW ARE YOU? (85min) (WRT)
7:30PM PRINCIPLES OF LIFE (95min) (WRT)
10:00PM LOVERBOY (95min) (WRT)
Sunday, December 4
1:00PM OUTBOUND (80min) (WRT)
1:00PM KAPITALISM, OUR IMPROVED FORMULA (77min) (EBMFC)
3:00PM KAPITALISM, OUR IMPROVED FORMULA (77min) (EBMFC)
3:30PM STUFF AND DOUGH (90min) (WRT)
5:30PM Critics’ Panel on the New Romanian Cinema (75min) (EBMFC) **FREE TO THE PUBLIC
5:30PM THE RAGE (82min) (WRT)
7:30PM ADALBERT’S DREAM (101min) (WRT)
Monday, December 5
6:00PM TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS (95min) (WRT)
8:30PM VISITING ROOM (62min) (WRT)
Tuesday, December 6
6:00PM THE PAPER WILL BE BLUE (95min) (WRT)
+ Conversation with…Radu Muntean (75min) (WRT)
THE ROMANIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK
The Romanian Film Festival in New York City was initiated in 2006 as a partnership of the
Romanian Cultural Institute in New York (RCINY) with the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) and Tribeca Cinemas. The partnership with TIFF, Romania’s leading film festival, which continues this year, has extended beyond the NYC festival to facilitate the presence of American film professionals to the past two editions of TIFF, an initiative that will continue and expand. Initiated and chaired by Corina Şuteu, director of RCINY, the festival selection committee also includes Mihai Chirilov, Artistic Director, Scott Foundas, Associate Program Director of FSLC, and Oana Radu, RCINY deputy director.
Since its inception, the festival has featured great contemporary works such as The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu by Cristi Puiu; 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days by Cristian Mungiu; California Dreamin’ (endless) by Cristian Nemescu; 12:08 East of Bucharest by Corneliu Porumboiu, or The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceauşescu by Andrei Ujică. The Festival has also been devoted to revisiting classic works from masters Lucian Pintilie, Mircea Daneliuc or Stere Gulea.
The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York (RCINY) aims to promote Romanian culture throughout the U.S. and internationally, and to build sustainable, creative partnerships among American and Romanian cultural organizations. The Institute acts as a catalyst and proponent of initiatives across artistic fields, striving to foster understanding, cultural diplomacy, and scholarly discourse by enriching public perspectives of contemporary Romanian culture. For the past five years, RCINY has been an active enabler and supporter of the presentation and promotion of Romanian cinema in the U.S. www.icrny.org
Film Society of Lincoln Center
Under the leadership of Rose Kuo, Executive Director, and Richard Peña, Program Director, the Film Society of Lincoln Center offers the best in international, classic and cutting-edge independent cinema. The Film Society presents two film festivals that attract global attention: the New York Film Festival, currently planning its 50th edition, and New Directors/New Films which, since its founding in 1972, has been produced in collaboration with MoMA. The Film Society also publishes the award-winning Film Comment Magazine, and for over three decades has given an annual award—now named “The Chaplin Award”—to a major figure in world cinema. Past recipients of this award include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks. The Film Society presents a year-round calendar of programming, panels, lectures, educational programs and specialty film releases at its Walter Reade Theater and the new state-of-the-art Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center.
The Film Society receives generous, year-round support from Royal Bank of Canada, 42BELOW, American Airlines, The New York Times, Stella Artois, the National Endowment for the Arts, WNET New York Public Media, the National Endowment for the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts. For more information, visit www.filmlinc.com.
For Media specific inquiries, please contact:
Ştefan Peca
Romanian Cultural Institute in New York
(212) 687-0180
John Wildman, (212) 875-5419
David Ninh, (212) 875-5423
