Romanian Cinema

Videograms of a Nation, Redux

8 — 22 January 2020

still from Reenactment (Lucian Pintilie, RO 1969)

A reflection on the December 1989 revolution and everything that went on before and after – featuring old and new films, special premieres and Q&As with filmmakers.

No films were made in Romania at all in 2000. Twenty years later, films by Romanian directors premiere all over the world and the Romanian New Wave has found its rightful place in film history.

still from The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu (Andrei Ujică, RO 2010)

still from Chuck Norris vs Communism (Ilinca Călugăreanu, RO 2015)

Eye puts the spotlight on EU country Romania: the films produced there are the self-portrait of a country where the legacy of communism can still be felt. Romania suffers from widespread corruption and bureaucracy, while also seeking connection with 21st-century Europe.

Eye has focused on Romanian cinema several times before. In 2007, there was a programme about emerging Romanian filmmakers who won prizes at international festivals. Rarely screened short films were also programmed. Eye has screened films by Cristi Puiu (The Death of Mr Lazarescu), Corneliu Poromboiu (12.08 East of Bucharest) and Cristian Mungiu (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days).

still from Sequences (Alexandru Tatos, RO 1982)

still from The Eruption (Liviu Ciulei, RO 1957)

Films by these directors were regarded as the crown jewels of the Romanian New Wave: a collective name for darkly comedic stories about the lives of ordinary people trying to survive a post-communist reality.

still from 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Cristian Mungiu, RO 2007)

still from Alice T. (Radu Muntean, RO 2018)

As of 2020, Romanian cinema has proven to be quite versatile. Directors are now experimenting with different genres and styles, from documentary and comedy to drama and thriller; they not only highlight Romania's past, but also address contemporary issues such as abortion, teenage pregnancy or the failing healthcare system.

Eye looks back on the revolution of thirty years ago and the consequences it had for Romanian cinema. The programme includes old and new films, special premieres and panels with directors, producers and film professionals.

still from 100 Lei (Mircea Saucan, RO 1973)

still from A Movie with a Charming Girl (Lucian Bratu, RO 1967)

Eye joins Videograms of a Nation, a programme of the Europalia festival in Belgium (October 2019 - February 2020). The culture festival honours Romania, which was the EU president in the first half of 2019.

still from Monstri. (Marius Olteanu, RO 2019)

poster Romanian Cinema: Videograms of a Nation, Redux

Films, talks & more

With special thanks to curator Andrei Tănăsescu.

This programme was made possible by:

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