Romanian cinema will witness a first at the 78th edition of the Locarno International Film Festival (August 6-16, 2025), through the selection of three films with significant Romanian participation in official competitions: 'Dracula' (directed by Radu Jude), 'Don't Let Me Die' (directed by Andrei Epure) and 'Sorella di Clausura' (directed by Ivana Mladenovic).
It is the largest Romanian presence in the history of the prestigious Swiss festival.
The participation of the three artistic teams in Locarno with support from the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) is a reflection of the international affirmation of Romanian filmmakers. This year's Romanian presence reconfirms the constant rise of local cinema and its value, ICR reported on Monday.
The film "Dracula" directed by multi-award-winning Radu Jude, is included in the main competition - Concorso Internazionale - and proposes a bold, meta-cinematographic approach to the myth of the famous vampire. The film is a Romanian-Austrian-Luxembourg co-production and brings together an impressive cast that includes Adonis Tanta, Gabriel Spahiu, Oana Maria Zaharia, Alexandru Dabija, Lukas Miko, Andrada Balea, Ilinca Manolache, Erban Pavlu, Eszter Tompa, Alina Erban and a renowned technical team.
"I tried to offer in Dracula everything for everyone: commercial film, meditation on national myths and film history, essay, vampire film, popular comedy, political film, satire, erotic film, action film, literary cinema. It was time for us to give the world a Dracula, we did the best we could, I hope the viewers will enjoy at least some aspects of the film," Jude is quoted as saying in an ICR press statement.
In the Cineasti del Presente competition, dedicated to filmmakers at the beginning of their journey, the feature film debut of director Andrei Epure - "Don't let me die" - was selected, a touching meditation on loneliness and mourning, with accents of absurd humour and deep introspection.
The main role is played by Cosmina Stratan, along with Elina Lowensohn, Silviu Debu, Ozana Oancea, Mihaela Sirbu, George Albert Costea, Elias Ferkin, Isabela Neamtu and Ioana Craciunescu, rounded up by the unique presence of the dogs Ricky and Anishka.
"I wanted to make a film in which I talked about the relationship we have with death in all its bureaucratic, terrifying and sometimes comical aspects. I wanted a kind of obituary in images, partial and as palpable as possible, which would archive the passage through the life of someone who left few traces," says Epure.
Also in the official competition, the film "Sorella di Clausura" directed by Ivana Mladenovic, explores with humour and tenderness the tension between dream and reality in a story with a Balkan flavour. It is an international co-production that brings together Romania, Serbia, Italy and Spain. The cast includes Katia Pascariu, Cendana Trifan, Miodrag Mladenovic, Arnold Kelsch, Catalin Dordea, Adrian Radu.
""Sorella di Clausura' is based on real people and is, after all, a story about the game between reality and dreams. Although tragic at its core - inspired by the story of a singer and friend who lost her life prematurely - the film is first and foremost an empathetic parody of romantic melodrama. Set on the edge of the Balkans, at the beginning of the economic crisis of 2008, it explores how much magic and fiction can fit in a universe in crisis. I am interested in this ambiguity: the fact that there is no longer room for magic in reality and that the only way to continue dreaming without being expelled from it is to know that you are dreaming," says Mladenovic.
The participation of the three Romanian films at Locarno 2025 is not only an artistic achievement, but also proof of the maturation of the Romanian film industry, which continues to fascinate juries and international audiences through strong visions, narrative courage and distinct identity, according to ICR.
The Locarno Film Festival, founded in 1946, is renowned for its innovative curatorial orientation and for supporting emerging voices in global cinema. With screenings held in the legendary Piazza Grande, the largest open-air cinema in the world, the festival attracts thousands of industry professionals, critics and cinephiles every year.
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