Cristian Mungiu, best director at Cannes Film Festival
Romanian director Cristian Mungiu and French director Olivier Assayas shared the Best Director Award at Cannes Film Festival’s 69th edition on Sunday. Mr. Mungiu was awarded for his latest “Baccalaureat / Graduation” movie along with Mr. Assayas’ „Personal Shopper”. „Graduation” tells the story of a father greasing the system in order to ensure his daughter’s chances to get a scholarship from a British university after graduating from high school. Starring Adrian Titieni and Maria Drăguş, Mr. Mungiu’s film is „an intricate, deeply intelligent film, and a bleak picture of a state of national depression in Romania, where the 90s generation hoped they would have a chance to start again”, according to British daily „The Guardian”. It may seem that Mr. Mungiu is a Cannes Festival favourite as he is also the winner of a Palme d’Or for his hugely acclaimed „4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days” before receiving a prize as best screenwriter for his „Beyond the Hills” always at Cannes in 2012 when the Best Actress Award went ex-aequo to the films’ leading actresses Cristina Flutur and Cosmina Stratan. In the „Un Certain Regard” section, „Dogs”, the first feature from Romanian helmer Bogdan Mirică, received the Film Critics’ Award known as FIPRESCI.
Romanian Prime Minister on a visit to the US
Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloş is in Washington D.C. on a mission to the US. aimed to ensure further ties between Romania ad the United States as part of their Strategic Partnership. Mr. Cioloş is expected in Detroit om Monday when he will meet managing officials at the Ford car producer before visiting its Research and Innovation Center. Prime Minister Cioloş is also expected to meet US Vicepresident Joe Biden and the American agriculture, trade and energy secretaries. The prime minister’s visit is expected to end on May 25.
Romanian foreign minister at a meeting in Brussels
Romanian Foreign Minister Lazăr Comănescu is in the Belgian capital Brussels in order to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. The Council will discuss the EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the ISIL/Da’esh threat and is expected to adopt conclusions. The strategy was adopted on 16 March 2015 and it outlines actions to be undertaken by the EU and its member states to help restore peace and security in Syria and Iraq. Ministers will also discuss the external aspects of migration. Over lunch, the High Representative will brief ministers on the EU global strategy intended to guide the European Union’s global actions in the coming years.
Controversial death of Hexi Pharma boss under investigation
The head of Romania’s Hexi Pharma has died following a car accident, according to a statement made by Prosecutor General Augustin Lazăr on Monday. The Prosecutor General’s Office along with the Romanian Police opened an inquiry into the circumstances of the crash. Mr. Lazăr said Hexi Pharma boss Dan Condrea was due to be questioned Monday while sources said he was also supposed to be indicted. The Hexi Pharma company was already indicted this month on charges that its disinfectants provided to hospitals were highly diluted and ineffective.
Alexandru Danga
