Cinema of Moldova
Encyclopedia
The Cinema of Moldova developed in the early 1960s during the Soviet period, experiencing a flowering of about a decade and a half. Stagnation followed, and after the Moldavian SSR
became independent in 1991, the industry almost completely disappeared.
. During the first year two documentaries "Kodry" and "Moldovan Cannery" appeared. The picture directors were from Moscow and Odessa, as by that time there were no national workers in the field of cinema. Between 1952 and 1957, 6 documentaries were screened.
On 24 January 1957 the MSSR Council of Ministers took the decision to rename the "Documentary Film Studio of Chişinău" to the "Studio for Fiction Movies and Chronicle Documentaries from Chişinău" also named "Moldova-Film
".
In 1968, the first cartoon film "the Goat with Three Kids" was released; a film inspired by Ion Creanga's fairy-tale with the same title. In 1972, the satirical series "Usturici" appears.
Between 1952 and 1982, 120 fiction movies, 800 documentaries, 750 editions of the cinema magazine "Soviet Moldova", 40 editions of "Usturici" and 40 cartoons were filmed at the Moldova-Film studio. It also dubbed 12 fiction movies and 70 short stories annually by the end of the '80s.
A cinema was built in the beginning of the 1950s in the center of Chişinău, which is now part of the Moldovan "Patria" chain.
, released in 1960 at Moldova-Film
studios. The movie was awarded the "Prize for Participation" at the international cinema competition at the Locarno International Film Festival
, bringing attention to the emergent Moldovan film industry.
Another international success was Man Is Walking After the Sun (Man Is Following the Sun ), written by Valeriu Gagiu and Mihail Kalik. The world press compared this movie to the Albert Lamorisse
movie Le Ballon Rouge, where, just as in the Moldovan movie, the main hero was a little boy. Vadim Derbenev, the cameraman, was awarded the special jury diploma at the International Cinema Festival in Helsinki
for his work.
Another one of the first Moldovan films was the Ataman of Codru , which enjoyed success in Asia and Latin America. The viewers called the movie Ataman Kadyr.
The Moldovan breakthrough in the world's cinema industry was a film written by Ion Druţă
and producer and cameraman Vadim Derbenev - Last Month of Autumn . The film received prizes at the Mar del Plata Film Festival
, including the "Sympathy Prize of Viewers". Evgueniy Lebedev was awarded the main prize of the festival - the "Big Southern Cross" - in the best male role nomination. La Nación described the film as a "remarkably beautiful work". La Prensa
wrote "This film, amongst all the mess that flooded the cinema world invites us to the sources of the true reachess of life". Besides appraisal in Argentina
, the movie was awarded the Grand Prix
at the Cannes Film Festival
in 1966. At the International Film Festival Kino Pavasaris in Vilnius
, the director Vadim Derbenev won "Best Production". However, in Vilnius, the film was awarded only the second main film prize, the first place being taken by Vytautas Žalakevičius
's film Nobody Wanted to Die
.
Lăutarii
by Emil Loteanu
(producer Vitaliy Kalashnikov, composer Eugen Doga
) was a success, particularly in Italy. The movie received four prizes, including the "Prize of Viewers' Sympathy" and the second main prize "Silver Shell". Norwegian
newspaper Arbeiterbladet compared the Moldovan movie to the Broadway
musical The Sound of Music
. Czech weekly Film a Divadlo wrote "Every nation expresses to the best its deepest feelings, but the Moldovan one did it the best". In 1975, the movie won in the category of "Best Foreign Film", leaving behind traditional Hollywood productions. During the week of Soviet Cinema in Naples, the film was awarded the "Silver Nymph".
Red Meadows by Emil Loteanu
was also another major Moldovan success at the Locarno International Film Festival
. România Liberă
highlighted the symbolism of this art work, which made it an unforgettable sight".
Very few films have been made in Moldova since independence: the government has failed to protect its domestic industry and funding is rare (save for occasional co-productions). The country also has the world's second-lowest cinema attendance rate.
in the cartoon category.
starred in the musical movie filmed at Moldova-Film
studios called Dnestrovskiye melodiy.
Moldavian SSR
The Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic , commonly abbreviated to Moldavian SSR or MSSR, was one of the 15 republics of the Soviet Union...
became independent in 1991, the industry almost completely disappeared.
History
On 26 April 1952 The USSR Ministry of Cinematography has initiated the Documentary Film Studio in ChişinăuChisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
. During the first year two documentaries "Kodry" and "Moldovan Cannery" appeared. The picture directors were from Moscow and Odessa, as by that time there were no national workers in the field of cinema. Between 1952 and 1957, 6 documentaries were screened.
On 24 January 1957 the MSSR Council of Ministers took the decision to rename the "Documentary Film Studio of Chişinău" to the "Studio for Fiction Movies and Chronicle Documentaries from Chişinău" also named "Moldova-Film
Moldova-Film
Moldova-Film is a Moldovan film studio and production company founded in 1952 in the Moldavian SSR.- History:Moldova-Film was founded in 1947 in Chişinău as a branch of the Central Studio for Documentary Film. In 1949 the branch was taken over by the Odessa Film Studio and in 1952 became an...
".
Filmography
In 1957, the first fiction comedy film was called "Cînd omul nu-i la locul lui" ('When the man is not himself') after a script written by Ion Druta.In 1968, the first cartoon film "the Goat with Three Kids" was released; a film inspired by Ion Creanga's fairy-tale with the same title. In 1972, the satirical series "Usturici" appears.
Between 1952 and 1982, 120 fiction movies, 800 documentaries, 750 editions of the cinema magazine "Soviet Moldova", 40 editions of "Usturici" and 40 cartoons were filmed at the Moldova-Film studio. It also dubbed 12 fiction movies and 70 short stories annually by the end of the '80s.
A cinema was built in the beginning of the 1950s in the center of Chişinău, which is now part of the Moldovan "Patria" chain.
International recognition
The first internationally acclaimed success was the film of Moldovan producer Mihail Kalik - LullabyLullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
, released in 1960 at Moldova-Film
Moldova-Film
Moldova-Film is a Moldovan film studio and production company founded in 1952 in the Moldavian SSR.- History:Moldova-Film was founded in 1947 in Chişinău as a branch of the Central Studio for Documentary Film. In 1949 the branch was taken over by the Odessa Film Studio and in 1952 became an...
studios. The movie was awarded the "Prize for Participation" at the international cinema competition at the Locarno International Film Festival
Locarno International Film Festival
The Film Festival Locarno is an international film festival held annually in the city of Locarno, Switzerland since 1946. After Cannes and Venice and together with Karlovy Vary, Locarno is the Film Festival with the longest history...
, bringing attention to the emergent Moldovan film industry.
Another international success was Man Is Walking After the Sun (Man Is Following the Sun ), written by Valeriu Gagiu and Mihail Kalik. The world press compared this movie to the Albert Lamorisse
Albert Lamorisse
Albert Lamorisse was a French filmmaker, film producer, and writer, who is best known for his award winning short films which he began making in the late 1940s, and also for inventing the famous strategic board game Risk in 1957...
movie Le Ballon Rouge, where, just as in the Moldovan movie, the main hero was a little boy. Vadim Derbenev, the cameraman, was awarded the special jury diploma at the International Cinema Festival in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
for his work.
Another one of the first Moldovan films was the Ataman of Codru , which enjoyed success in Asia and Latin America. The viewers called the movie Ataman Kadyr.
The Moldovan breakthrough in the world's cinema industry was a film written by Ion Druţă
Ion Druţă
Ion Druţă, generally spelled "Ion Drutse" in English, is a writer from Moldova.Druţă has been the honorary president of the Moldovan Writers' Union since 1987.-Works:* Povara bunătăţii noastre* Frunze de dor...
and producer and cameraman Vadim Derbenev - Last Month of Autumn . The film received prizes at the Mar del Plata Film Festival
Mar del Plata Film Festival
The Mar del Plata International Film Festival is an international film festival that takes place every November in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina...
, including the "Sympathy Prize of Viewers". Evgueniy Lebedev was awarded the main prize of the festival - the "Big Southern Cross" - in the best male role nomination. La Nación described the film as a "remarkably beautiful work". La Prensa
La Prensa (Buenos Aires)
La Prensa is an Argentine daily newspaper.Based in Buenos Aires, it was founded on 18 October 1869 by José C. Paz. La Prensa ranked among the most widely circulated dailies in Argentina in subsequent decades, earning a reputation for conservatism and support for British interests in Argentina...
wrote "This film, amongst all the mess that flooded the cinema world invites us to the sources of the true reachess of life". Besides appraisal in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, the movie was awarded the Grand Prix
Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)
The Grand Prix is an award of the Cannes Film Festival bestowed by the jury of the festival on one of the competing feature films. It is the second-most prestigious prize of the festival after the Palme d'Or...
at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 1966. At the International Film Festival Kino Pavasaris in Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
, the director Vadim Derbenev won "Best Production". However, in Vilnius, the film was awarded only the second main film prize, the first place being taken by Vytautas Žalakevičius
Vytautas Žalakevicius
Vytautas Žalakevičius was a Lithuanian film director and writer.-Biography:...
's film Nobody Wanted to Die
Nobody Wanted to Die
Nobody Wanted to Die is a 1966 Lithuanian film made in Soviet Lithuania and directed by Vytautas Žalakevičius. Žalakevičius, actor Donatas Banionis, and cinematographer Jonas Gricius were awarded USSR State Prize for the film in 1967.-Cast:...
.
Lăutarii
Lăutarii
Lăutarii is a 1971 film directed by Emil Loteanu and produced by Vitaliy Kalashnikov, composer Eugen Doga. The movie was a success, particularly in Italy. The movie received four prizes, including the Special Jury Award International Film Festival in San Sebastián ....
by Emil Loteanu
Emil Loteanu
Emil Loteanu was a Soviet and Moldovian film director from Greater Romania. He moved to Moscow in his early life.- Biography :...
(producer Vitaliy Kalashnikov, composer Eugen Doga
Eugen Doga
Eugen Doga is a Moldovan/Romanian composer. After the fall of the Soviet Union he lives in Moscow, Russia.-Biography:Doga was born on March 1, 1937 in the village of Mocra in the Rîbniţa district of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic...
) was a success, particularly in Italy. The movie received four prizes, including the "Prize of Viewers' Sympathy" and the second main prize "Silver Shell". Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
newspaper Arbeiterbladet compared the Moldovan movie to the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musical The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is a musical by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers...
. Czech weekly Film a Divadlo wrote "Every nation expresses to the best its deepest feelings, but the Moldovan one did it the best". In 1975, the movie won in the category of "Best Foreign Film", leaving behind traditional Hollywood productions. During the week of Soviet Cinema in Naples, the film was awarded the "Silver Nymph".
Red Meadows by Emil Loteanu
Emil Loteanu
Emil Loteanu was a Soviet and Moldovian film director from Greater Romania. He moved to Moscow in his early life.- Biography :...
was also another major Moldovan success at the Locarno International Film Festival
Locarno International Film Festival
The Film Festival Locarno is an international film festival held annually in the city of Locarno, Switzerland since 1946. After Cannes and Venice and together with Karlovy Vary, Locarno is the Film Festival with the longest history...
. România Liberă
România Libera
România Liberă is one of the leading newspapers in Romania. Based in Bucharest, the Romanian-language daily has a paid daily circulation of 40,000....
highlighted the symbolism of this art work, which made it an unforgettable sight".
Very few films have been made in Moldova since independence: the government has failed to protect its domestic industry and funding is rare (save for occasional co-productions). The country also has the world's second-lowest cinema attendance rate.
Cartoons
The animation movies produced at Moldova-Studios reach an international audience. The cartoon Haiduc, produced by Leonid Gorokhov and Yuriy Katsap, with scenario written by Vlad Druc, was awarded the Grand-Prix of the Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in the cartoon category.
Personalities
The top Soviet pop star Sofia RotaruSofia Rotaru
Sofia Mykhailivna Yevdokymenko-Rotaru known as Sofia Rotaru is a Soviet and Ukrainian pop singer of Romanian/Moldavian heritage....
starred in the musical movie filmed at Moldova-Film
Moldova-Film
Moldova-Film is a Moldovan film studio and production company founded in 1952 in the Moldavian SSR.- History:Moldova-Film was founded in 1947 in Chişinău as a branch of the Central Studio for Documentary Film. In 1949 the branch was taken over by the Odessa Film Studio and in 1952 became an...
studios called Dnestrovskiye melodiy.