The Romanian film “Freedom”, awarded at the Sarajevo Film Festival

“The film captures the essence of a significant historical moment and explores the complexity of human nature in difficult times, while also offering a fascinating picture of Eastern European history.” This was the motivation of the jury that awarded the Award of the International Confederation of Art Cinemas (CICAE) to the Romanian film Libertate/Freedom, directed by Tudor Giurgiu, at the 29th edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival. The award consists of support for the distribution of the film in more than 3000 cinemas worldwide and its popularization among viewers.

Inspired by real events, Freedom tells a lesser-known story that happened in Sibiu, during the Revolution of 1989. The film will enter cinemas in Romania on October 6, and starting on August 25, the film’s team will be present at a series of previews in over 40 cities in the country, in Alba Iulia, Odorheiul Secuiesc, Sibiu, Buzău or Brăila.

Director Tudor Giurgiu, along with producer Oana Bujgoi Giurgiu and actors Alex Calangiu, Iulian Postelnicu, Cătălin Herlo and Ionuț Caras participated in the Sarajevo Festival, where Libertate had several screenings and meetings with the public and the press. International publication Cineuropa writes: “Tudor Giurgiu paints a realistic picture of revolutionary chaos and upheaval, questions established histories and, most importantly, creates a thrilling film that captures the audience’s attention.”

Alexandru Papadopol, Andi Vasluianu, Mirela Oprișor, Leonid Doni or Cuzin Toma are also part of the film’s cast. The script is written by Cecilia Ștefănescu and Tudor Giurgiu, based on an idea by Nap Toader.

Freedom had its national premiere at the 22nd edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for the most popular Romanian film in the program.

The Sarajevo Film Festival is the most important and the largest film festival in Southeast Europe. It was founded in 1995, during the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian war.

Freedom is a Romania-Hungary co-production, produced by Libra Films and Mythberg Films and distributed in Romania by Transilvania Film. For international distribution, the film was acquired by the London-based company Reason8.