Romanian films at Cannes
Romanian productions have been screened at the International Film Festival in Cannes
Mihai Pelin, 24.05.2024, 13:34
A feature film entitled, “Three kilometers to the end of the world”, directed by Emanuel Pârvu, was premiered in the main competition, and presents the story of Adi, a 17 year old teenager from a remote Danube Delta village.
When his parents are confronted with a truth they cannot understand, the unconditional love Adi was supposed to get from them, vanishes in thin air and the hero is left only one alternative.
The film was received with standing ovations by the public in Cannes while reviews were laudatory about the Romanian production and its director: “Three kilometers to the end of the world” is the third feature film by director Emanuel Pârvu, after his debut with “Meda or the not so bright side of things”, (2017) and “Morocco”, which was premiered at the San Sebastian festival in 2021. “The Main Competition in Cannes is something that you dream of your entire life as a director, the place where you want your films to be seen, the place where you want to be. There are so many ‘ways’ you can get to – from the film’s idea to the script, locations and the shooting per se or the editing, that you don’t even know exactly how everything comes together, you know. Lots of thanks to all those involved; we made up a great team and here is our first recognition,” director Emanuel Parvu went on to say.
Another Romanian film, NASTY, directed by Cristian Pascariu, Tudor D. Popescu and Tudor Giurgiu, has been presented at the “Special Screening” section. This feature film portrays the legendary tennis player Ilie Năstase, the first rebel in the history of tennis who compelled recognition in both domestic and international competitions back in the 70s topping the ATP rankings shortly after its creation.
Ilie Năstase has also been received with standing ovations at Cannes. According to the documentary director Tudor Giurgiu, the selection of this production at Cannes is an extraordinary thing. “Ilie Năstase is as much loved in France as in Romania. And the inclusion of this production in the festival is a recognition of our work as a team and proof of the fact that you can get selected with a movie that is not necessarily in the author-cinema line, Tudor Giurgiu went on to say.”
The Festival’s 2024 edition is this year including a premiere, an immersive competition’ devoted to Virtual Reality productions and among those vying for a prize there is also a Romanian production entitled – ”Human Violins: Prelude”. Created by artist Ioana Mischie, the film is inspired from the tragic events of the Holocaust, as many Jews were allowed to take only one thing with them to the concentration camps and many chose their violins.
(bill)
