The Romanian Film Festival in London, 9^th edition

THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE

Thu 22 - Sun 25 November 2012

Renoir Cinema, The Brunswick, London WC1A 1AW (Tube: Russell Square), Map
TICKETS: £11.50/£9.70 cineastes (Curzon members). Buy in person, online on Curzon Cinemas’ website or by phone. Booking Line 0330 500 1331, www.curzoncinemas.com/events/f1uqf/romanian-film-festival
Festival programme here: www.rofilmfest.com/c/1/programme
Romanian version: www.rofilmfest.com/c/20/comunicat-de-presa-festivalul-de-film-romanesc-de-la-londra

“The Romanian Film Festival (RFF) in London is a unique opportunity to enjoy a showcase of Romania’s most exciting new films.

During the 9^th 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. The Romanian New Wave was beginning to emerge at that time as well, highlighting 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 a challenge to stereotypes, 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

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PROGRAMME

THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 - 7.00pm / Gala Screening, Renoir Cinema
BEYOND THE HILLS, directed by Cristian Mungiu
Romania/France/Belgium, 2012, 150 mins
Followed by Q&A with actresses Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur
Tickets from: www.curzoncinemas.com or by phone 0330 500 1331

FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2012 - 6.00pm, Renoir Cinema 
PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, directed by Constantin Popescu
Romania, 2010, 97 mins
Followed by Q&A with actress Rodica Lazar
Tickets from: www.curzoncinemas.com or by phone 0330 500 1331

SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2012 - 5.25pm, Renoir Cinema 
EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY, directed by Radu Jude
Romania/Holland, 2012, 107 mins
Followed by Q&A with actress Mihaela Sirbu
Tickets from: www.curzoncinemas.com or by phone 0330 500 1331

Followed by a special reception hosted by The Embassy of Romania, to welcome the Romanian actors to London and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the Romanian cinema. Details from press@rofilmfest.com.

SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2012 - 5.25pm, Renoir Cinema 
PERIFERIC, directed by Bogdan George Apetri
Romania, 2010, 87 mins
Followed by Q&A with actress Ana Ularu
Tickets from: www.curzoncinemas.com or by phone 0330 500 1331

CONNECTED EVENT
MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2012
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
One Exchange Square, London EC2A 2JN
6.30pm
MEDAL OF HONOUR , directed by Călin Peter Netzer
Romania, 2009, 103 mins
Free entry but registration is mandatory EBRDevents@ebrd.com. Preceded by a drinks reception from 5.30pm - all invited.
Followed by Q&A with award-winning actor Victor Rebengiuc

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Booking lines are now open! Book your seats in advance to avoid disappointment.
www.curzoncinemas.com/events/f1uqf/romanian-film-festival/
Keep proof of payment and send it to press@rofilmfest.com to win fabulous festival prizes:
- VIP invitations to festival receptions
- festival posters autographed by visiting actors and film-makers
- opportunity to socialise with Romanian film makers after the screenings in dedicated VIP area
- festival souvenir gift bag

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The Romanian Film Festival in London is organised by Profusion International Creative Consultancy, in partnership with The National Centre of Cinematography in Bucharest and Curzon Cinemas in London.

Sponsors and Supporters: 
ROMANi ONLiNE, EuroTop, Levenes, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, O2, The Romanian Embassy in London, DNS Associates, Lycamobile, Universal Business Travel Ltd, Mihai Eminescu Trust, Prodan Romanian Cultural Foundation, Albinuta.co.uk SGS Creative Services, Trasys, Diaspora Romaneasca, Stylewhiz, TibTrans, Ziarul Romanesc, Anuntul.co.uk, British Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Romanian Business Club, Artificial Eye


Festival Team:
Ramona Mitrica – Festival Director
Dr. Mike Phillips OBE – Festival Consultant
Mihai Risnoveanu – Design/Event Producer
Dan Mitrica – Webmaster

Friends of the Festival: Sir George Iacobescu, Mihai Radoi, HE Dr Ion Jinga, Eugen Serbanescu, Alina Salcudeanu, Ana Santos, Liviu Antonesei, Adrian Cherciu

Special thanks to: Victor Rebengiuc, Cristian Mungiu, Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Rodica Lazar, Mihaela Sirbu, Ana Ularu, Constantin Popescu, Radu Jude, Bogdan George Apetri, Calin Peter Netzer, Iosefin Florea, Andra Sonea, Bogdan Ciobotaru, Laura Lazar, Eugen Androne, Irina Ionescu, Bianca Mina, Vali Stoian, Violeta Herescu, Joana Schmitzer, David Parkinson, Catalina Harabagiu, Cristiana Mitea, Jason Wood, Nigel Stowe, Laura Kloss, Kumar Muniandy, Joanne Taylor, Ella Knight, Flora Menzies, Debbie Rowland, Louisa Dent, Jon Rushton, Ben Luxford, Jake Garriock, Claire Ricklefs, Dan Suliman, Sorin Cehan, Zoia Tasente, Costel Tasente, Marcel Istrate, Sorin Lastun, Sadiye Allsop, Remus Robu, Kat Richards, Rebecca Edwards, Ramona Maria Sofinet, Murat Kalay, Sumit Agarwal, Mariana Mindru, Consuela Timofte, Dean Kirk, Doina Cruttenden, Jessica Douglas-Home, Olivia Temple, Robert Temple, Michael Lee, Mihnea Vasilache, Adina Luca, Iulia Calota, Tiberiu Antohi, Anne-Marie Martin, Raymond Breden, Sandra Gadea, Nicole Ion, Alex Galmeanu, Codrin Prisecaru, The Special Guest Stars, Daniel Ivascu, Catalin Vastagu, Sergiu Poputa, Mihai Danciu.