One of the biggest surprises in recent international cinema has been the critical and commercial success of the Romanian New Wave. The cinematic history of the small, mountainous country is not particularly rich, largely due to the fact that so much of its modern culture had been squelched by the 25-year totalitarian regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. Indeed, many of the films of the Romanian New Wave refer, directly or indirectly, to the effects of or fallout from Ceausescu’s rule.

Beyond the Hills, the most recent film from acclaimed director Cristian Mungiu, is no exception. Though it makes no explicit reference to Ceausescu, its themes concern the effects of the loss of free will. Set in an isolated Romanian convent, Beyond the Hills is a starkly beautiful film about the consequences of religious extremism and isolation. The film won the Best Screenplay award at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival; that same year, its two leads, Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur, shared that festival’s Best Actress Prize.

On Thursday, June 26, at Burlington’s Main Street Landing, the Burlington Film Society and Vermont International Film Foundation will present this most recent and highly acclaimed entry into this surprising juggernaut of international festival cinema. The screening is significant not only because the film has not screened in the area before, nor because of the film’s awards, but because a Vermont resident played a key role in its creation.
Middlebury professor of Film and Media Culture Ioana Uricaru, a film scholar, director and screenwriter, served as script consultant on Beyond the Hills; she was present for much of the film’s shoot. Uricaru, in fact, is a key figure in the Romanian New Wave, having edited, produced, written and directed a number of the films that make up that movement’s canon. Though unable to attend this week’s screening, Uricaru will participate in a live Q&A, via Skype, immediately following the film.

Director Mungiu has become something of a festival darling in recent years: His 2007 breakthrough film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days nabbed Cannes’ Palme d’Or as well as several other prizes; Beyond the Hills is just his second film since then. His films, and those of the Romanian New Wave in general, are characterized by their austere visual style as well as a certain morbid sense of humor. Beyond the Hills is no exception, and will appeal to lovers of challenging, subtle cinema.



Beyond the Hills plays Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at the Film House at Main Street Landing in Burlington. $8, $5 students, free for VTIFF members. vtiff.org