'Traffic" feature film, inspired by a true story, directed by Teodora Ana Mihai and written by Cristian Mungiu, will have its gala premiere in Bucharest on Monday at 19:00, at AFI Cotroceni Cinema.
According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday, the premiere will be attended by the film's cast and crew, as well as special guests, including actress Anamaria Vartolomei, who plays her first leading role in Romanian.
Directed by Teodora Ana Mihai, a Romanian filmmaker based in Belgium, 'Traffic' ('Jaful Secolului' - Romanian language original title - ed.n.) brings to the forefront the story of Romanian migrants whose pursuit of a better life in a developed European country, where they are often treated with condescension, leads them to make illegal decisions and take drastic actions.
Natalia, portrayed by Anamaria Vartolomei, has travelled abroad with her husband Ginel to work in a greenhouse, hoping to save money for their daughter, who remains in the care of her grandmother. In Romania, she was a top student, known for her academic dedication and perseverance despite growing up alone. In the Netherlands, she tries to supplement their income by working as a waitress at parties or as a cleaner. However, after a disturbing incident she recounts to friends, Natalia becomes involved in an elaborate revenge plan that leads to a full-scale heist, according to the film's synopsis.
The cast also includes Ionut Niculae, Rares Andrici, Robert Iovan, Thomas Ryckewaert, Macrina Barladeanu, Lucian Ifrim, Alexandru Potocean, Mirela Nicolau, Ana Ciontea, Mike Libanon, Tim Haars, Charlotte Vandermeersch, Razvan Banica, Geo Dobre, Charlotte De Wulf, Mihai Verbitchi, Truus De Boer and Janir Izdraila.
The filmmakers will also attend screenings across the country:
- 23 September, Moldova Mall Cinema City (19:00) - actress Anamaria Vartolomei and screenwriter Cristian Mungiu
- 24 September, VIVO! Constanta Cinema City (19:00) - screenwriter Cristian Mungiu
- 25 September, Cineplexx Craiova (19:00) - screenwriter Cristian Mungiu, actors Ionut Nicolae, Robert Iovan, Janir Izdraila and producers Tudor Reu and Antonia Marin, followed by a second screening at Inspire Cinema Electroputere VIP (21:00)
- 26 September, Cluj-Napoca, 18:00 at Cinema City Iulius Mall, followed by another screening at 19:30 at Arta Cinema. Screenplay writer Cristian Mungiu and producer Tudor Reu will attend Q&A sessions after both screenings.
- 27 September, Targu Mures, 19:00 at Cinema City PlazaM and Cineplexx, with Cristian Mungiu and Tudor Reu in attendance
- 28 September, Brasov, 17:30 at AFI Brasov Cinema City - with Cristian Mungiu attending.
The film is inspired by real events - specifically, the 2012 Kunsthal Museum robbery in the Netherlands, during which a group of Romanians stole paintings worth over USD 20 million. The artworks have never been recovered.
'Traffic' is a co-production by Mindset Productions, Lunanime, Bastide Films, Les Films du Fleuve, Film i Väst, Filmgate Films, Avanpost Media and Mobra Films.
The film was funded by Romania's National Centre of Cinematography, Belgium's VAF (Flanders Audiovisual Fund) and CCA (Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel), the Netherlands Film Fund, and supported under the European Union's Creative Europe - MEDIA Programme.
'Traffic' is Romania's submission for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
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