Paris Premiere: IVAN – The Man with Roots in Water

The international premiere of the artistic documentary “IVAN – The Man with Roots in Water,” directed by Ana Preda, a co-production by Romanian Television and the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association, was celebrated on August 9th in Paris, in the presence of a large audience. The screening took place at the Romanian House within the Embassy of Romania in France, at the Béhague Palace, as part of an event organized by the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association and the Romanian Cultural Institute, through the Romanian Cultural Institute in Paris, hosted by the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee and the Embassy of Romania in Paris.

Ivan Patzaichin was a Romanian canoe racing coach and sprint canoeist.

“Ivan Patzaichin was not only a legend of Romanian and international sports but also a bearer of rare human qualities, embodying the values of Olympism—excellence, respect, friendship. Ivan Patzaichin was an entire universe, and it is an honor for us to pay tribute to this immense Romanian champion by presenting the world premiere of the film ‘IVAN – The Man with Roots in Water’ here at the Romanian House, in Béhague Palace, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This film, directed by Ana Preda, is a production of Romanian Television and the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association. Thank you, Teodor Frolu, and special thanks to the Romanian Cultural Institute, ICR Paris, and Director Doina Marian”, said Ioana Bivolaru, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the French Republic

“The legacy left by Ivan Patzaichin is generous and complex. Ivan is a model of great achievement and Olympism, as well as a model of dedication and devotion. On the occasion of the Paris Olympic Games, the Romanian Cultural Institute launched this film about the exceptional personality of Ivan Patzaichin as an example of societal involvement, a performer who, after retiring from sports, dedicated his energy and reputation to the community he came from, supporting in Romania the cultural model of sustainable development through the valorization of local cultural heritage. I am grateful to the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association and Romanian Television for the opportunity to present the documentary ‘IVAN – The Man with Roots in Water’ in the Romanian House program, hosted by the Embassy of Romania in Paris, and in the future across the entire ICR network. I extend my thanks to Ambassador Ioana Bivolaru and all the partners involved,” stated in his turn Liviu Jicman, President of the Romanian Cultural Institute.

The event proved that the legacy built by Ivan Patzaichin is alive and resonates strongly. It is reflected not only in sports but also enriches the cultural and social life of Romania, with echoes around the world. A small, tangible part of Ivan’s legacy can be explored at the Ivan Patzaichin Museum – Center for Community Innovation in Mila 23, a museum and local development institution built in 2023-2024 on the land of Ivan’s parents’ house, through the recovery and restoration of elements from the original structure.

The documentary reconstructs his biography with rare archival footage, covering the five editions of the Olympic Games in which he participated. More importantly, it offers a perspective on his journey, from a teenager who left Mila 23, a small village in the Danube Delta, to a multiple champion whose victories were always preceded by setbacks. The film also documents his return to his roots, driven by a sense of duty to the people and the place that shaped him.

After being broadcast on the national TV channels of TVR, the film had its international premiere in Paris, as part of the events accompanying the Olympic Games. The screening was attended by Georgiana Potzaichin, Ivan Patzaichin’s wife, and Ivona Potzaichin-Rusu, the great champion’s daughter, Her Excellency Mrs. Ioana Bivolaru, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the French Republic, Doina Marian, Director of ICR Paris, Ana Preda, the film’s director, Mihai Covaliu, President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, Teodor Frolu, Vice President of the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association, athletes from Romania’s Olympic team, journalists, and other guests from France and Romania.

The film is made with the agreement and support of Georgiana Potzaichin and Ivona Potzaichin-Rusu, with the participation of the actor Vlad Ivanov. Producer Diana Dumitru, music Electric Brother, editors Tiberiu Teodorescu and Dragoș Smărandescu, colorization Mihnea Biciuscă, sound design George Craioveanu, motion design Gabriela Burcea.

Images were used from the archives of TVR, Asociația Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23, COSR, FC Dinamo, Dacin Sara, ANF/CNC, Agerpres, Voltaj (the music video of the song “With all my heart”). Images from the films were also used: IAR CA SENTIMENT UN CRISTAL, 1986, Ovidiu Bose Paştina; PEOPLE AND PLACES THROUGH THE DELTA, 1971, Ion Bostan; ROMANIAN OLYMPIC AT HEIGHTS, 1969, Octav Ioniță, Virgil Anastasescu, Petre Gheorghe, Radu Zamfirescu; CHAMPIONS, 2000, Constantin Vaeni.

The Romanian Cultural Institute, ICR Paris, the Romanian Embassy in France, the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, the National Sports Agency, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French Institute in Romania and Television contributed to the production of the film and the events that make it available to the general public. 

Ivan Patzaichin, born on 26 November 1949, dead on 5 September 2021 was a Romanian canoe racing coach and sprint canoeist. He took part in all major competitions between 1968 and 1984, including five consecutive Olympics, and won seven Olympic and 22 world championship medals, including four Olympic gold medals. This makes him the most decorated Romanian canoeist of all time.

He later worked as a canoeing coach, attending five more Olympics in this capacity. In 1990 he was awarded the Olympic Order, and in 2006 a nationwide poll included him on the list 100 Greatest Romanians of all time, Wikipedia reports.