Overview
Aims
Provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of Romanian cinema, exploring major film movements and influential filmmakers.
Foster critical and historical thinking, encouraging students to contextualize films within their socio-political eras and recognize the cultural impact of cinema as an art form.
Understanding the thin and ambiguous interrelation between film art, industry and political power in historical contexts dominated by ideological pressure.
Course contents
1. The Beginnings (1896–1916). The first public screenings; the first newsreels; the first scientific documentaries (Prof. Gh. Marinescu). "Carmen Sylva" – the first Romanian film studio. Gh. Brezianu. The milestone of "The Independence of Romania" (*Independența României*). The "Leon Popescu Art Film" (*Filmul de Artă Leon Popescu*) company.
2. The Interwar Period. Jean Mihail, Jean Georgescu, Ion Şahighian. The National Cinematography Office (*Oficiul Național al Cinematografiei*) – 1936.
3. Animated Film: from Marin Iorda to Ion Popescu-Gopo.
4–5. The Period of the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat." Victor Iliu
6. The Documentary Film School.
7–8. Auteur Cinema of the 1960s. Liviu Ciulei.
9–10. Lucian Pintilie. Iulian Mihu and other significant auteurs of the era.
11–12. Musicals and Children’s Films: Elisabeta Bostan and Ion Popescu-Gopo.
13–14. Historical Film—between blockbusters and auteur cinema: Lucian Bratu, Sergiu Nicolaescu, Mircea Drăgan, Malvina Urşianu.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Identify and analyze the key periods, movements, and milestones in the history of Romanian cinema.
Contextualize major films and filmmakers within their socio-cultural, political, and economic frameworks.
Assessment
Final Oral Examination (60%) based on pre-announced synthesis topics. Continuous Assessment / Seminar Performance (30%). Complementary Academic Activities (10%)