Malmkrog

61st TIFF: Greek premiere

Transylvania, end of the 19th century. Wealthy landowner Nikolai invites a group of distinguished guests in his luxurious manor, among which a decorated general, a politician, and several members of the aristocracy. In an idle ambiance, the banqueters engage in heated philosophical and political debates, gradually revealing their different moral and cultural standpoints. A chamber drama of exquisite dialogue orchestration and tableau vivant aesthetics that recreates an entire era, echoing the intrinsic arrogance of the ruling class.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Cristi Puiu

Script: Cristi Puiu, adaption of a text by Vladimir Solovyov

Cinematography: Tudor Panduru

Editing: Dragoș Apetri, Andrei Iancu, Bogdan Zărnoianu

Sound: Christophe Vingtrinier, Jean-Paul Bernard

Actors: Frédéric Schulz-Richard, Agathe Bosch, Diana Sakalauskaité, Marina Palii, Ugo Broussot, István Téglás

Production: Mandragora, Iadasarecasa

Producers: Anca Puiu, Smaranda Puiu

Co-production: Sense Production, Cinnamon Films, Bord Cadre Films, Doppelganger, Film i Väst, Produkcija 2006 Sarajevo, Sisters and Brothers Mitevski

Co-producers: Milan Stojanović, Ivica Vidanović, Dan Wechsler, Jamal Zeinal-Zade, Andreas Roald, Jörgen Andersson, Kjell Åhlund, Peter Possne, Mirsad Purivatra, Labina Mitevska

Sets: Cristina Barbu

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia

Production Year: 2020

Duration: 200΄

Contact: Shellac

Awards/Distinctions: Encounters Award for Best Director – Berlin IFF

Cristi Puiu

Cristi Puiu is a Romanian director, screenwriter, and producer born in Bucarest in 1967. After studying Arts in Geneva, he moved to directing and completed his first film in 2001, Stuff and Dough, which premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight. Puiu's sophomore film, The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, was awarded the Grand Prix at Cannes' Un Certain Regard competition in 2005, a section in which his following film, Aurora competed as well. In 2016, Sieranevada entered the Cannes Official Competition. In 2020, Malmkrog was selected for the Encounters competition at the Berlinale and received the Best Director Award.