Romanian cinema is rich with bold storytelling, sharp social commentary, and unforgettable characters. Our team members each have their own connection to the stories, themes, and filmmaking styles that define Romanian cinema. So, instead of a definitive “best of” list, each of us is sharing five of their personal favourites, in no particular order:

Ada Solomon, producer & partner

1. Why Are the Bells Ringing, Mitica? (1990) by Lucian Pintilie
2. Iacob (1988) by Mircea Daneliuc
3. Sequences (1982) by Alexandru Tatos
4. Tarzan’s Testicles (2017) by Alexandru Solomon
5. The Death of Mr Lazarescu (2005) by Cristi Puiu

Alexandru Solomon, director, producer & partner

1. Forest of the Hanged (1965) by Liviu Ciulei
2. The Oak (1992) by Lucian Pintilie
3. That’s It (2001) by Thomas Ciulei
4. The Death of Mr Lazarescu (2005) by Cristi Puiu
5. Aferim! (2015) by Radu Jude

Carla Fotea, producer & partner

1. Why Are the Bells Ringing, Mitica? (1990) by Lucian Pintilie
2. The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu (2010) by Andrei Ujică
3. Sequences (1982) by Alexandru Tatos
4. The Oak (1992) by Lucian Pintilie
5. Kapitalism. Our Improved Formula (2010) by Alexandru Solomon

Diana Caravia, producer & partner

1. 12:08 East of Bucharest (2006) by Corneliu Porumboiu
2. Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021) by Radu Jude
3. Marilena from P7 (2006) by Cristian Nemescu
4. The Oak (1992) by Lucian Pintilie
5. Between Revolutions (2023) by Vlad Petri

Ioana Bogdana, development producer

1. An Unforgettable Summer (1994) by Lucian Pintilie
2. Mama (1976) by Elisabeta Bostan
3. Videograms of a Revolution (1992) by Harun Farocki and Andrei Ujică
4. Niki & Flo (2003) by Lucian Pintilie
5. Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021) by Radu Jude

Mirela Țugui, location manager

1. Sequences (1982) by Alexandru Tatos
2. One Step Behind the Seraphim (2017) by Daniel Sandu
3. Kapitalism. Our Improved Formula (2010) by Alexandru Solomon
4. Moromete Family (1987) by Stere Gulea
5. Ion: The curse of the land, the curse of love (1981) by Mircea Mureșan

Marc Solomon, editor & technical supervisor

Unranked; the ones I think about at the moment, tomorrow it might be a different story:

1. Meanders (1966) by Mircea Săucan
2. A Girl’s Tear (1980) by Iosif Demian
3. Beyond America (2008) by Marius Th. Barna
4. Police, Adjective (2009) by Corneliu Porumboiu
5. Uppercase Print (2020) by Radu Jude

We’re not just inspired by the legacy of Romanian cinema – we’re actively contributing to its present and future. Our lists include films that have shaped us, but also ones we’ve had the privilege of bringing to life. As filmmakers and cinephiles, we see these works as part of an ongoing dialogue, one that we’re excited to continue through the stories we choose to tell.