Tudor Giurgiu's Romanian Feature 'Libertate' (Freedom) First Look Screening in Encino

Official Press Release – Posted With Permission

Press Contact: SEEfest Inquiries: Vera Mijojlic | SEEfest info [at] seefilmla.org
vera [at] seefilmla.org | +1.310.709.5497

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROMANIAN POWERHOUSE FILM “LIBERTATE” (Freedom) AT LAEMMLE TOWN CENTER ENCINO

SEEfest and Synergetic Film bring the raw political account of 1989 to U.S. screens L.A. audiences get the first look on Oct 23 in Encino

The long and exceptionally successful streak of Romanian New Waves continues with the latest arrival in the U.S. of LIBERTATE (Freedom) by renowned filmmaker, Tudor Giurgiu. Following its European festival circuit run, the film premiered in May at the 19th annual South East European Film Festival #SEEfest in Los Angeles. SEEfest has long been a home to discovery of new talent and specializes in showcasing the culturally rich area of East and South-East Europe. LIBERTATE was immediately picked up for North American distribution by Synergetic Film and will start its theatrical run at Laemmle Town Center in Encino on October 23: https://www.laemmle.com/film/libertate

LIBERTATE tells the story of the chaotic days during the December 1989 revolution that overthrew the Communist regime in Romania, with the Transylvanian city of Sibiu turning into the scene of a violent assault on a Police unit that quickly escalated into a bloody confrontation. In a desperate attempt to escape the siege, Police Captain Viorel is captured by the army and thrown into an empty swimming pool along with hundreds of prisoners accused of being terrorists. Chaos that ensues is portrayed with stunning cinematic energy. The film makes us pose and reflect on the fragility of any system buckling under the forces unleashed by the branches of government at war with each other, and with the people they are purported to protect.

Great ensemble cast under the assured direction of Tudor Giurgiu benefits greatly from veteran cinematographer Alexandru Sterian’s camera capturing the bleak winter ambiance with a rawness of a vérité documentary style.

Giurgiu, who is also a noted producer and co-founder of Libra Film as well as Transilvania International Film Festival, previously received European Film Award and BAFTA/LA Short Film Prize for his Superman, Spiderman or Batman short film. His feature Of Snails and Men boasted several international prizes in Warsaw, Valladolid, and Central European MECEFF Award, and was nominated for Romanian national GOPO awards in all categories, which was repeated with his next directorial work, a scathing indictment of endemic corruption, Why Me? (2015). Libertate (Freedom) to-date won close to 20 international awards, including FIPRESCI Prize at Cottbus, C.I.C.A.E. award in Sarajevo, the arthouse cinema award given at major international film festivals; GOPO, Romanian National Film Award; and many others. The latest film he co-directed, co-produced and wrote the screenplay for is Nasty, documentary about the legendary Romanian tennis champion Ilie Nastase. The film premiered in Cannes in 2024, and was awarded the Golden Eye.

About the South East European Film Festival (SEEfest): SEEfest presents cinematic and cultural diversity of South and Eastern Europe to American audiences and creates cultural connections through films, artistic and social events. It was founded in 2006 by Vera Mijojlić, long-time film critic and cultural entrepreneur. The films in competition come from 20 countries of South and Eastern Europe.

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