The movie Licu: A Romanian Story, directed by Ana Dumitrescu won the Golden Dove award in the 60th edition’s international competition of the international documentary and animation film Festival of Leipzig (DOK Leipzig Film Festival), unfolded 30 October into 5 November, according to the festival’s website.
Director Ana Dumitrescu, who was raised in France creates an epic area for her native country’s history, in the core of which stays Licu – Liviu Canter, a 92 year-old, an elder with many memories to share about major historic events of the 20th century he was witness to in his motherland, Romania – the WW II, the communism, the 1989 revolution and the post-revolution decades.
As the story is reeling out, the film director becomes more of a visitor than an observer, and a relationship of trustworthiness settles between the director and the main character. Ana Dumitrescu has visited Licu for several times, filmed the latter in his home, filled of the family’s everyday present history. Licu cooks for her, offers her home made brandy and shows her his photo albums that reveal the merry days and the sad days, as well, but where a capitulation feeling is clearly felt.
The jury appreciated the director’s approach, that reaches the public’s very hearts, by creating a barely 86 minutes’ film journey, yet representing a life lesson for us all.”
