The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York, in collaboration with Transilvania International Film Festival, presents A NEW BEGINNING The 5th Annual Romanian Film Festival in NYC
December 3-5 at Tribeca Cinemas
Discover new works from filmmakers who were at the forefront of the "Romanian New Wave," such as Cristi Puiu, Radu Muntean and Razvan Radulescu, as well as debut features from Constantin Popescu and Bobby Paunescu. And, the highly-anticipated new work from Andrei Ujica (Videograms of a Revolution), The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu, will be presented as the opening night film.
The festival will conclude with the landmark Romanian film Carnival Scenes by master filmmaker Lucian Pintilie, featuring legendary Romanian stage and screen actor Victor Rebengiuc (Medal of Honor, Tuesday, After Christmas), who is also the honored guest in this year's festival. The festival also features a special section entitled Women on the Move, focusing on the representation of women in post-communist society.
Festival curator Mihai Chirilov states, "New Romanian Cinema was born in 2001 and as of 2005 became the thing on the international film scene. So, 2010 is a natural time for a new beginning. After a 5-year gap since his worldwide breakthrough with The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, Cristi Puiu is back with his new and anticipated film, Aurora, the very title of which implies a new beginning. Andrei Ujica's The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu, is closing a chapter of the recent Romanian history, offering a brand new, hotly debated and much-needed perspective on the national anti-hero. Most of the new films' characters are longing for a new start, be it the unfaithful husband in Tuesday, After Christmas, the guilty father in Medal of Honor, or the women challenged by the contexts of their lives in both Francesca and First of All, Felicia. Challenging the aesthetic of the Romanian New Wave as we know it, with a focus on characters stuck in limbo, this year's abundant crop of New Romanian Cinema is the perfect mirror of a society at a crossroads desperately looking for a new path to follow."
Also in attendance at the festival will be actresses Monica Barladeanu (Francesca), Mariana Mihut (Carnival Scenes), Ozana Oancea (First of All, Felicia, Stuck on Christmas), director/producer Bobby Paunescu (Francesca, Aurora), producer Andrei Cretulescu (Merry Circus, The Shukar Collective Project, The World According to Ion B.), producer/director Tudor Giurgiu, director of Transilvania International Film Festival, Professor Vladimir Tismaneanu, and film critic Alex Leo Serban.
All films will be screened in the original language with English subtitles, introduced by Romanian film critics. Tickets are now available online
Fri, December 3
6:30 p.m.
Theater 2
The film also plays
Sun, December 5
11:00 a.m.
Theater 1
The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu
(Autobiografia lui Nicolae Ceausescu)
Directed by Andrei Ujica
Romania, 2010, 180 minutes
OPENING NIGHT FILM
Official Selection - Cannes Film Festival & New York Film Festival
Introduction by Professor Vladimir Tismaneanu, University of Maryland (College Park)
The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu is not a "documentary" or a "docudrama," but rather a "fiction feature," with real, historical characters. Ujica didn't shoot a single frame of footage, because everything was already shot. He simply edited archival material of Ceausescu and reconstructed his historical adventure - an adventure which, because we're dealing with a head of state, formed the very destiny of this state itself.
Sat, December 4
2:00 p.m.
Theater 1
Portrait of the Fighter as a Young Man
(Portretul luptatorului la tinerete)
Directed by Constantin Popescu - U.S. Premiere
Romania, 2010, 120 minutes
NEW FEATURES
Official Selection - Berlin Film Festival
Right after World War II, Romania fell under the iron fist of communist dictatorship. Over a thousand armed resistance groups took refuge in the inaccessible forests of the Carpathian Mountains. One was led by Ion Gavrila-Ogoranu, and Constantin Popescu's ambitious first feature depicts the daily existence of this hungry and emotionally withdrawn group, and their struggle that became an end in and of itself, as they faced constant pursuit by an enemy renown for torture and liquidation.
Sat, December 4
2:30 p.m.
Theater 2
Tuesday, After Christmas
(Marti, dupa Craciun)
Directed by Radu Muntean
Romania, 2010, 100 minutes - A Lorber Films release
NEW FEATURES / FOCUS VICTOR REBENGIUC
OPENS MAY 25, 2011 AT FILM FORUM
Official Selection - Cannes Film Festival, Un certain regard & New York Film Festival
Screening followed by Q&A with actor Victor Rebengiuc
An exquisitely crafted portrait of a married man who has fallen in love with another woman, Radu Muntean's fourth feature is yet another urban story about thirty somethings. Tuesday, after Christmas starts off with a husband's adulterous affair which turns out to be the spark that burns the illusion of the Perfect Family to ashes. The result is a truly powerful piece of cinema that feels so utterly human you can't help but become completely immersed.
Preceded by a brief presentation of the New Romanian Cinema issue of Film Criticism magazine.
Edited by Rodica Ieta and Ramona Uritescu-Lombard, and published in June 2010, this issue joins theoretical essays on Romanian cinema and on its engagement with realism, analyses of several films by the new wave of directors, in-depth discussions of the documentary phenomenon, and a comprehensive filmography.
Sat, December 4
3:30 p.m.
Lounge
Free admission, first-come-first-serve basis
Polanski, Polanski
SPECIAL EVENTS: PERFORMANCE
A New Play by Saviana Stanescu
Performed by Grant Neale
Directed by Tamilla Woodard
See Polanski do battle with Polanski. What goes on with a brilliant, complex, and fabulously flawed human being when he is forced to take himself to task for his own misdeeds? Join us for a special performance, an excerpt from "Saviana Stanescu's fascinating new play [...] featuring a remarkable, compelling performance by Grant Neale and fluid and often surprising direction by Tamilla Woodard." (Martin Denton).
Sat, December 4
4:30 p.m.
Theater 1
Kino Caravan
(Caravana cinematografica)
Directed by Titus Muntean - U.S. Premiere
Romania, 2009, 100 minutes
NEW FEATURES
Screening introduced by producer Tudor Giurgiu
In an isolated village in Transylvania, at the beginning of the '60s, the peaceful lives of villagers are disturbed by a mobile cinema led by the young and ambitious communist activist Tavi who has been assigned to screen Soviet propaganda films to this rural community. Beyond the burlesque humor and the naiveté of the situations, a sinister undertone gradually insinuates itself and the fundamentally good people from the village start to fear not only God, but also the new regime.
Sat, December 4
5:00 p.m.
Theater 2
The film also plays
Sun, December 5
2:30 p.m.
Theater 1
The World According to Ion B.
(Lumea vazuta de Ion B.)
Directed by Alexander Nanau
Romania, 2009, 61 minutes
DOCS / FOCUS HBO ROMANIA
Official Selection - Telluride Film Festival & 2010 International Emmy nominee
Screening introduced by HBO producer Andrei Cretulescu
Ion B. is a 62 year-old homeless man living in Bucharest. As a young man, he had dreamed of becoming a film director. In the '70s he started creating collages that he refers to as "my films." In 2008, he shows his almost 1,000 collages to a young art gallery owner in Bucharest and becomes one of the most important Romanian contemporary artists. Colorful, touching and credible, Ion Bârlădeanu is the embodiment of human dignity, which can be found even in the depths of poverty.
Sat, December 4
6:30 p.m.
Theater 2
The film also plays
Sun, December 5
3:45 p.m.
Theater 1
Medal of Honor
(Medalia de onoare)
Directed by Calin Peter Netzer - N.Y. Premiere
Romania-Germany, 2009, 106 minutes
NEW FEATURES / FOCUS VICTOR REBENGIUC
Official Selection - Palm Springs Film Festival
Screening followed by Q&A with actor Victor Rebengiuc
Out of the blue, a retired man of 75 is awarded a medal of honor for his heroic deeds during World War II. This proves to be the ideal occasion - though seemingly undeserved - to earn back the respect of his family and friends. Rarely if ever has there been a post-communist tragicomedy that breaks one's heart with such delicate blows. Victor Rebengiuc is simply sublime in the part of the pathetic but infinitely empathic patriarch.
Sat, December 4
6:45 p.m.
Theater 1
Merry Circus
(Circul vesel)
Directed by Claudiu Mitcu - U.S. Premiere
Romania, 2009, 51 minutes
DOCS / FOCUS HBO ROMANIA
Screening introduced by HBO producer Andrei Cretulescu
It is the story of a family whose roots in the traditional Romanian strolling circus Globus begin back in the 1920s, when Toma Zdebschi traveled to Romania with the Globus Circus from Czechoslovakia and never went back. His son Carol is now 84, and together with his wife Mina, 75, they recall with nostalgia a life of great satisfaction, but also of sacrifices. Their passionate vocation is symbolized by the circus wagon, which will remain in the backyard of their home for as long as they live.
Preceded by the short film Lord
directed by Adrian Sitaru
Romania, 2010, 23 minutes
An old, needy and noisy Pekingese dog is the latest victim of Tony the dog snatcher. The Pekingese is just bad business: the owner is too old to come pick up the dog, and too poor to pay the reward the dog-snatcher requests. Meanwhile Tony's girlfriend starts complaining: the dog is a nuisance.
Preceded by the short film The Cage (Colivia)
directed by Adrian Sitaru
Romania, 2010, 17 minutes
A family's everyday life becomes tormented when their son brings home an injured pigeon. The father dislikes the disease-carrying bird, but the son is firm in his determination to keep his new-found animal friend safe on the balcony of their flat. The mother finds herself in her usual role: mediating family conflict.
Sat, December 4
8:45 p.m.
Theater 1
Stuck on Christmas
(Captivi de Craciun)
Directed by Iulia Rugina - U.S. Premiere
Romania, 2009, 39 minutes
WOMEN ON THE MOVE
Screening followed by Q&A with actress Ozana Oancea
It's Christmas Eve in a small mountain train station and four people are waiting for a train that's stuck in snow hundreds of kilometers away. Because of the holiday, no one knows how long it will take for the train to finally come. They don't know each other and each of them only wants to reach his destination as soon as possible, be it back home or abroad. As hours pass and the train is evermore delayed, the four share hope, anger and despair - and the absurd.
Preceded by the short film Oxygen (Oxigen)
directed by Adina Pintilie
Romania, 2010, 40 minutes
During the communist period in Romania, thousands of people risked their lives attempting to flee the country. Despair required them to invent the most incredible methods of crossing the border illegally. This film is a reenactment of a real case: a man who tried to cross the Danube using an oxygen cylinder.
Sat, December 4
9:00 p.m.
Theater 2
Francesca
Directed by Bobby Paunescu - N.Y. Premiere
Romania, 2009, 96 minutes
WOMEN ON THE MOVE
Official selection - Venice Film Festival 2009, Orizzonti
Screening followed by Q&A with director Bobby Paunescu and actress Monica Barladeanu
Francesca is a young kindergarten teacher whose dream of a better life is to migrate to Italy. Her boyfriend, Miţă, plans to join her as soon as he concludes a pending business deal, but things take an unfortunate turn of events. Francesca is full of surprises, a mature debut (Păunescu was previously known only as the producer of Cristi Puiu's films) with authentic dialogue and impeccable acting, featuring an engaging performance by lead actress Monica Bârlădeanu.
Sun, December 5
11:00 a.m.
Theater 1
The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu
(Autobiografia lui Nicolae Ceausescu)
Directed by Andrei Ujica
Romania, 2010, 180 minutes
OPENING NIGHT FILM
Official Selection - Cannes Film Festival & New York Film Festival
Details above.
Sun, December 5
2:00 p.m.
Theater 2
Aurora
Directed by Cristi Puiu
Romania-France-Germany-Switzerland, 2010, 181 minutes - A Cinema Guild
release NEW FEATURES
Official Selection - Cannes Film Festival, Un certain regard & New York Film Festival
"There is no such thing as a murderer, only people who kill." With these words writer-director Cristi Puiu qualifies his careful study of contemporary Romanian society and fatal acts - such as murder. The film focuses on 42-year-old Viorel (played by Puiu himself) who is going through a gloomy period of life that leads him to kill. The director avoids psychoanalysis of his characters and doesn't point to where they are heading, while an intentionally staid narrative contributes to the overwhelming suspense.
Sun, December 5
2:30 p.m.
Theater 1
The World According to Ion B.
(Lumea vazuta de Ion B.)
Directed by Alexander Nanau
Romania, 2009, 61 minutes
DOCS / FOCUS HBO ROMANIA
Official Selection - Telluride Film Festival
2010 International Emmy nominee
Screening introduced by HBO producer Andrei Creţulescu
Details above.
Sun, December 5
3:45 p.m.
Theater 1
Medal of Honor
(Medalia de onoare)
Directed by Calin Peter Netzer - N.Y. Premiere
Romania-Germany, 2009, 106 minutes
NEW FEATURES / FOCUS VICTOR REBENGIUC
Official Selection - Palm Springs Film Festival
Screening followed by Q&A with actor Victor Rebengiuc
Details above.
Sun, December 5
5:30 p.m.
Theater 2
First of All, Felicia
(Felicia, inainte de toate)
Directed by Razvan Radulescu & Melissa de Raaf - N.Y. Premiere
Romania-The Netherlands, 2009, 121 minutes
WOMEN ON THE MOVE
AFI Los Angeles 2009
Screening followed by Q&A with actress Ozana Oancea
Co-writer for most of the recent landmarks in Romanian cinema, Razvan Radulescu makes his directing debut, alongside Melissa de Raaf. Felicia is a youngish woman who left her home some 20 years ago, made a career abroad, but faithfully returns to Bucharest every year to see her parents. Every visit is a wrenching emotional experience that reaches a climax on the day of her departure. As moving and as painful as it can be, the film possesses a striking lucidity that borders on cruelty.
Sun, December 5
6:15 p.m.
Theater 1
The Shukar Collective Project
Directed by Matei-Alexandru Mocanu - U.S. Premiere
Romania, 2010, 75 minutes
DOCS / FOCUS HBO ROMANIA
Screening introduced by HBO producer Andrei Cretulescu
This documentary explores the friction between two different worlds - an instinctual and a conceptual one - experienced when the band Shukar Collective came together in an attempt to combine electronic and gypsy music. Alternating between close ups of the gypsy artists with "electro guys" in wide shots, the film beautifully underlines these discrepancies. Yet still, music can reconcile even the irreconcilable.
Preceded by the short film Trolleybus 92 (Troleibuzul 92)
directed by Stefan Constantinescu
Romania, 2009, 8 minutes
He sits next to an old lady in a trolley bus. In his mid thirties, middle class, he's practically an anonymous guy. His voice shows no emotion as he relentlessly menaces someone on the phone. No one around him pays attention. A brief moment of insanity and indifference points to deep flaws in Romanian society.
Preceded by the short film Urban Groove
directed by Ruxandra Ghitescu
Romania, 2010, 7 minutes
Two teenagers from the 'hood go wild in front of the camera. The show starts off brutally, and then gets worse. After beating homeless people and picking fights with a flock of transvestites, the dynamic duo encounters a "new challenge." A raw piece of faux-cine-verité from the underbelly of contemporary Romania.
Sun, December 5
6:30 p.m.
Lounge
Free admission, first- come-first-serve basis
The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor A Performative Reading by Victor Rebengiuc
SPECIAL EVENTS: PERFORMANCE
Based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov In Romanian only
This outstanding one-man-show rounds up the tribute paid by the festival to its special guest, legendary thesp Victor Rebengiuc. The legend of the Grand Inquisitor is a story within a story, first published as a chapter of Fyodor Dostoevsky's masterpiece, The Brothers Karamazov. Jesus returns to Earth during the Spanish Inquisition and is arrested. The Grand Inquisitor visits him in his cell to tell him that he is no longer needed on Earth. The Church, which is now allied with the Devil, is better able than Jesus to give people what they need. Clocking in at less than an hour, Rebengiuc's reading is a masterful lesson in subtlety, further proof that he ranks among the greatest Romanian stage and screen actors.
Sun, December 5
8:30 p.m.
Theater 2
Carnival Scenes
(De ce trag clopotele, Mitica?)
Directed by Lucian Pintilie
Romania, 1981, 119 minutes
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
Screening followed by Q&A with actors Victor Rebengiuc and Mariana Mihut
Directed by one of the most celebrated Romanian filmmakers, Lucian Pintilie, and based on the works of Ion Luca Caragiale, Carnival Scenes was banned by Communist authorities in 1981 and was released only after the revolution of 1989. Just like Pintilie's The Oak, this delirious adaptation is a portrayal of a Romanian society walking a tightrope between promiscuity and self-pity, a society that is turbulent and non-resilient, falsely joyful and possessed by endemic sadness.
The Romanian Film Festival in New York City is a partnership of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York (RCINY) with the Transilvania International Film Festival and Tribeca Cinemas. Initiated in 2006 and chaired by Corina Suteu, director of RCINY, the festival selection committee also includes Mihai Chirilov, curator, and Oana Radu, RCINY deputy director.
A NEW BEGINNING. 5th Romanian Film Festival in NYC
TRIBECA CINEMAS. 54 Varick Street (at Laight Street), NYC, NY 10013
(SUBWAY: 1, 6, A, C, E, trains to Canal St.)
ADMISSION: Regular Adult - $12.00; Student/Senior - $10.00; 5-Ticket
Package: $50.00
Purchase tickets online
ROMANIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK
