Sceneggiatura / Screenplay: Bogdan Mureșanu Fotografia / Photography: Boróka Biró, Tudor Platon Montaggio / Editing: Vanja Kovačević, Mircea Lăcătuș Suono / Sound: Sebastian Zsemlye Scenografia / Set Designer: Iulia Fulicea, Victor Fulicea Costumi / Costume Designer: Dana Anghel Interpreti / Cast: Adrian Văncică, Iulian Postelnicu, Emilia Dobrin, Nicoleta Hâncu, Andrei Miercure, Mihai Călin Produzione / Produced by: Kinotopia Coproduzione / Co-produced by: Romanian National Television, All Inclusive Films In associazione con / In association with: Chainsaw Europe, Nomad Solo Con il sostegno di / Supported by: Creative Europe MEDIA, Romanian Film Centre, Film Center Serbia Distribuzione internazionale / World Sales: Cercamon
On 20th December 1989, Romania stands on the brink of revolution. The streets are alive with demonstrations, students mock the regime through art, and New Year’s shows glorify Ceauşescu. Yet, in the discomfort of their unheated homes, families grapple with personal conflicts and the omnipresent Secret Police. Six seemingly disconnected lives intersect in unexpected ways. As tensions reach boiling point, an explosive moment unites them, culminating in the dramatic fall of Ceauşescu and the communist regime. Best Film in the “Orizzonti” section at the latest Venice Film Festival.
“I have always been interested in the concept of now, particularly when it pertains to a historical now—a single moment in time that connects everyone to a shared consciousness. Some of these moments are pivotal shifts in historical paradigms, such as the Romanian Revolution, which is likely the most televised revolution in the world, if not the first. However, I wanted to approach this subject from the microscopic perspective of ordinary people, rather than from a top-down view. My aim was to recreate that moment in time when change occurred without being immediately noticed—a change that completely erased a dictatorship, making way for freedom and dignity. This film offers a symphonic view of a historical event that has perhaps been portrayed too often in our films through only one lens.” (B. Mureșanu)
Bogdan Mureșanu
Romanian award-winning writer Bogdan Mureşanu, born in 1974 in Bucharest, has successfully shifted from literature and advertising to cinema, excelling as both a film director and scriptwriter. Since his debut in 2008, his work has spanned animations, documentaries, fiction films, and TV series. A member of the European Film Academy, Bogdan is best known for The Christmas Gift, a short film shortlisted for the 2020 Academy Awards, with over 200 festival selections and winner of countless awards. The New Year That Never Came is his first feature film.
2013 Tuns, ras si frezat (Half Shaved) cm / sf 2016 Negruzzi 14 cm / sf doc.; Spid cm / sf 2018 Cadoul de Craciun (The Christmas Gift) cm / sf; Premi / Awards: European Film Awards – Miglior cortometraggio / Best Short Film; Clermont-Ferrand IFF – Gran premio / Grand Prix; FilmFestival Cottbus – Miglior cortometraggio / Best Short Film; Transilvania IFF – Miglior cortometraggio / Best Short Film 2020 The Merry-Go-Round cm / sf 2024 Anul nou care n-a fost (The New Year That Never Came); Premi / Awards: Venezia, Mostra del cinema – Premio Orizzonti per il Miglior film, Premio FIPRESCI / Venice FF – Orizzonti Award for Best Film, FIPRESCI Prize
