We are thrilled to be showing throughout April four of Amza Pellea's most iconic films defining his screen persona, to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of one Romania's best and beloved actors. The season is part of the Romanian Cinematheque, our regular showcase of Romanian cinema, and isalso a celebration of the Romanian popular cinema, whose memorable characters, stories and punch lines offered a distraction from the gloomy realities of life in Communism.
Amza Pellea was one of the most influential actors both on stage and the big screen during the Communist regime. He died at the age of 52 [in 1983], but his film and theatre performances continue to be held in high regard by critics and the public.
The Romanian Cultural Institute will launch the Amza Pellea Month on 2ndApril with a special screening of Then I Sentenced Them All to Death (Atunci i-am condamnat pe toti la moarte, by Sergiu Nicolaescu, 1972), a delicate insight into human behaviour in times of fear and oppression.
The second screening will be Gently Was Anastasia Passing (Duios Anastasia trecea, by Alexandru Tatos, 1979), on 11th April, an unsettling retelling of the Antigone myth. In this World War II-set drama, a village school teacher defies a German edict not to bury the corpse of a partisan left in the square as an example to others.
The third screening is Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul, by Sergiu Nicolaescu, 1971) on 18th April (please note that the screening will take place on 18 April, although initially it was announced on 19 April), a historical epic depicting the reign of the 16th century prince Mihai Viteazul, who unified for the first time all three principalities, featuring large-scale battle scenes mixed with political intrigue, murderous treachery, and family drama.
The season will conclude on 25th April with one of Romania's most adored and popular comedies, Uncle Marin, the Billionaire (Nea Marin miliardar, by Sergiu Nicolaescu, 1979), presenting Pellea in a dual role, one of a rich man and the other poor. It is said that this is the film Ceausescu hated the most, but its popularity grew immensely - over 14 million Romanians watched it in the first two weeks of release, a box-office record.
All screenings will start at 7pm.
Our tribute to this versatile and accomplished actor, the programme will bring together these Amza Pellea titles for the first time in the UK.
Amza Pellea (7 April 1931 - 12 December 1983) was one of the most important Romanian actors, being remarked both for his theatre and his film acting. Born in Băilesti, Oltenia region, he attended the Carol I High School. He later played at the Craiova National Theatre, then in Bucharest, at the Small Theatre, Nottara Theatre, Comedy Theatre and the National Theatre, and was also a professor at the Academy of Theatre and Film in Bucharest.In 1977 Pellea won the award for Best Actor at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival for his role in The Doom (to be screened later in the year at the Romanian Cinematheque). For a comprehensive list of films, please visit the IMDB page.He is buried at Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest.
The Romanian Cinematheque is a project in partnership with the National Centre for Cinematography in Romania (CNC).
All screenings will be in Romanian, with English subtitles and will be held at the Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PH. Admittance is free, but due to popular demand people are encouraged to book their seats at 020 7752 0134, office@icr-london.co.uk in order to avoid disappointment.
