The Romanian Cultural Institute in London has launched a special programme designed to bring the country’s best films in the British capital city.
The project will include screenings of both older films and works by the new wave of highly successful and multi-awarded directors, such as Cristi Puiu, Corneliu Porumboiu and Cristian Mungiu.
The programme is designed to recreate Romanian cinema’s path from the recent success and local pictures’ international breakthrough to the years when directors were going against communist rule constraints and produced extraordinary films. The first film, screened yesterday evening, was highly acclaimed “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu,” by Puiu. Released in 2005, the comedy-drama tells the seemingly absurd story of an old man carried by an ambulance from hospital to hospital all night long, as doctors keep refusing to treat him and send him away.
‘The Death of Mr. Lazarescu’ enjoyed immediate critical acclaim, both in film festivals, where it won numerous awards, and after wider release, receiving enthusiastic reviews.
The film received more than 20 awards, among which: Cannes Film Festival – Un Certain Regard Award, Transilvania International Film Festival (Cluj-Napoca) – Audience Award, Chicago International Film Festival – Silver Hugo Special Jury Prize. It also received nominations for Best Director and Best Screenwriter at the 2005 European Film Awards, and for Best Foreign Film at the 2006 Independent Spirit Awards.
The following films to be screened in London between April and July include: ‘Reconstituirea’ (‘Reconstruction’) by Lucian Pintilie, ‘Filantropica’ (‘Philantropy’) by Nae Caranfil, ‘O lacrima de fata’ (‘A Girl’s Tears’) by Iosif Demian, ‘California Dreamin’ (nesfarsit)’ by Cristian Nemescu. The project is organised together with the National Center of Romanian Cinema. All films will be screened with English subtitles.
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