Festivals/Awards:
DOK Leipzig 2015, Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival 2015, Sarajevo
Film Festival 2016, Edinburgh International Film Festival 2016, American Film Institute AFI Docs USA 2016, Transilvania International Film Festival 2016, DocPoint
Helsinki 2016, Sydney Film Festival 2016, Cinema Warrior 2016 - a cultural restistence award- Trieste Film Festival Italy 2016, Jaipur International Film Festival India 2016, Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival Poland 2016, Tempo Documentary Film Festival Sweden 2016
Director's Bio-Filmography:
Alexandru Belc a absolvit Universitatea Naţională de Artă Teatrală şi Cinematografică “I. L. Caragiale” în 2007 şi a obţinut în 2012 diploma de Masterat în Ştiinţe Politice de la Universitatea Bucureşti. A lucrat ca regizor asistent pentru regizori precum Corneliu Porumboiu şi Cristian Mungiu, regizând de asemenea propriile scurtmetraje. Scurtmetrajul său documentar, “The Sound of Mountains” a fost proiectat la Festivalul Internaţional de Film de la Berlin, iar scurtmetrajul documentar “Rebel Rebel” a avut premiera la Festivalul de Film Visions du Réel, Nyon, Elveţia în 2010.
Director's / Curator's Statement:
I grew up in the 1980s in a big city located in the center of the country. When I was a child I used to go to the movies at least once a week. In fact, everyone used to go to the movies. Mostly because back then, there was no better entertainment. The National Television used to broadcast only two hours a day. I remember how hard it was to get a ticket, to sneak inside the movie theater or to find an empty seat. Sometimes I had to watch the entire movie standing up because of the crowded hall. The cinema was for me a mysterious place. I remember the noise of the film projector, the smell in the theatre hall, the colors on the walls, the film posters, the uncomfortable seats and the “no access” sign on the door of the projection room where all that magic was happening. I did not get the chance to see what really happened behind that door, because shortly after that the cinema was shut down. The film posters remained locked behind the front window for several years until the sun bleached theircolors. I started this journey motivated by my strong memories. I have traveled all around the country to find out what really happened with Romania's “glorious socialist cinema”. I did not get a clear answer, however I found people eager to talk and share their stories. Nobody had asked them anything until now. It’s tough witnessing the disappearance of cinemas and not having a chance to reach the Romanian audience. Nevertheless, it’s always encouraging when I find people who are still passionate enough to pursue their dreams. (Alexandru Belc)