Romanian government changes
Romanian Minister for European Affairs Ana Birchall is expected to meet German and British amassadors to Romania, Cord Meier-Klodt and Paul Brummel, at the Victoria Palace in the capital Bucharest on Friday. Ms. Birchall also became the country’s acting justice minister replacing Florin Iordache who resigned on Thursday amid street protests against the government’s attempts to ease anti-corruption legislation. „It was my choise, undoubtedly. It was a unilateral decision”, Mr. Iordache told reporters refering to his departure on Friday.
Old trials, new hearings
Dan Şova, a former senator, and Victor Ponta, Romania’s former prime minister, are expected to appear in court on Friday for their alleged involvement in the what is known as the „Turceni-Rovinari Case”. Their case is considered by the country’s High Court of Cassasion and Justice. And so is the case of Elena Udrea, a former minister and legislator, charged with corruption along with former economy minister Ion Ariton, and Rudel Obreja, former president of Romania’s Boxing Federation, for their involvement in the so-called „Gala Bute File”. All the defenders denied any wrongdoing.
Film director Radu Gabrea dies at 79
Romanian film director Radu Gabrea has died late on Thursday, February 9. He was 79.
Born in Bucharest on June 20, 1937, Radu Gabrea was initially a graduate of the Construction Institute in the Romanian capital. He was arrested for his support of the Hungarian uprising in 1956 against the country’s Communist government and its Russian-imposed policies. Mr. Gabrea was released some month later, in April 1957, and then allowed to resume his studies. He eventually graduated Bucharest’s Ion Luca Caragiale Theatre and Film Insitute in 1968.
His very first film, „Prea mic pentru un război atât de mare” („Too Young for Such a Big War”) was a success and it was awarded at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. Mr. Gabrea was also the director of the first Romanian TV series, „The Chase” („Urmărirea”), in 1970.
Radu Gabrea’s next movie, „Dincolo de nisipuri” („Beyond the Sands” – 1973), inspired by a novel by Romanian novelist Fănuş Neagu, was barred from release by former Communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu. Mr. Gabrea then left Romania and went to Germany where he resumed his career as a filmmaker.
Radu Gabrea’s German filmography includes „Don’t Be Afraid, Jakob” (1981), „A Man Like Eve” (1984), „The Beheaded Rooster” (2007), „Gruber’s Journey” (2008), „Red Gloves” (2011).
Radu Gabrea is survived by his wife (actress Victoria Cociaş), and a daughter (screenwriter Maria Magdalena Schubert).
Alexandru Danga
