During this 9th anniversary of the Festival (22-25 November 2012), we welcome to London, as our special guests, a line-up of Romania’s most talented – Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur, stars of ‘Beyond the Hills’, Rodica Lazar starring in ‘Principles of Life’, Mihaela Sirbu from ‘Everybody in Our Family’, Ana Ularu from ‘Periferic’ – and - actor extraordinaire Victor Rebengiuc who returns to greet his London fans for a special screening of ‘Medal of Honour’.
The Romanian Film Festival took off in 2003, as a way of putting Romanian film makers and their fans together. By coincidence, the Romanian New Wave was beginning to emerge at that time as well, throwing up remarkable actors and young directors. Supported and inspired by these sparkling new talents the Romanian Festival went from strength to strength. For example, in Britain, the Festival was the first to screen the short films and the debut feature of the prizewinning director Cristian Mungiu, who went on to forge an international reputation, and remains a friend and supporter of the event. In the ensuing years a long list of actors and directors have shown their work at the RFF, then developed into household names.
At the same time the Festival has continued to celebrate the classic Romanian cinema, acquainting British audiences with the best in our tradition. In 2004, for example, the highlight of the festival was the Lucian Pintilie Retrospective, which featured a stimulating appearance by the director.
The Festival has always been an important means of transmitting a positive message about Romania, and the rest of the East and Central European region. In contrast with routine media coverage, the films being screened are among the few positive contributions to images of life in the region. Ironically, the New Wave directors have been among the most acute and perceptive critics of Romania’s post revolutionary society, but this has been far from promoting a negative image of the country. Instead, in London, Berlin, Cannes and New York, their films have been recognised as challenging stereotypes, and offering audiences a detailed understanding of Romanians as individuals like themselves.
The Festival is a not-for-profit enterprise, functioning with the help of grants and sponsorship from our numerous friends and supporters. Many thanks to you all.
We look forward to celebrating together the Romanian cinema in London. See you on the red carpet!”
Ramona Mitrica, Festival Director
For full programme, go to www.rofilmfest.com
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