Cristi Puiu

189 Pages·2017·1.22 MB·English

by  Monica Filimon

C O N T E M P O R A R Y F I L M D I R E C T O R S
Cristi Puiu
Monica Filimon
Cristi Puiu

Contemporary Film Directors
Edited by Justus Nieland and Jennifer Fay
The Contemporary Film Directors series provides concise,
well-written introductions to directors from around the
world and from every level of the film industry. Its chief
aims are to broaden our awareness of important artists,
to give serious critical attention to their work, and to il-
lustrate the variety and vitality of contemporary cinema.
Contributors to the series include an array of internationally
respected critics and academics. Each volume contains
an incisive critical commentary, an informative interview
with the director, and a detailed filmography.
A list of books in the series appears at the end of this book.

Cristi Puiu
Monica Filimon
University
oF
illinois
Press
UrbaNa,
ChICago,
aND
sprINgFIElD
© 2017 by the Board of Trustees
of the University of Illinois
All rights reserved
1 2 3 4 5 c p 5 4 3 2 1
∞ This book is printed on acid-free paper.

All photographs taken by Silvana Bratu.
Stills © Mandragora
Frontispiece: Cristi Puiu on the set of The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Filimon, Monica, 1976– author.
Title: Cristi Puiu / by Monica Filimon.
Description: Urbana : University of Illinois Press, 2017. | Series: Contemporary
film directors | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: lccn 2016035731| isbn 9780252040764 (hardcover : alk. paper) |
isbn 9780252082276 (pbk. : alk. paper) | isbn 9780252099205 (e-book)
Subjects: lcsh: Puiu, Cristi, 1967- —Criticism and interpretation.
Classification: lcc pn1998.3.p8535 f55 2017 | ddc 791.4302/33092—dc23
lc record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016035731
Contents
Acknowledgments | ix
INEFFABLE EXPERIENCES
OF THE PROFANE WORLD | 1
The Ineffable and the Profane 1
Au revoir, les communistes? 13
Theater of Memory: The Retirement Home 27
The Road Not Taken: Stuff and Dough 39
Fathers and Sons: Cigarettes and Coffee 50
Regarding the Death of Others: The Death of Mr. Lazarescu 58
Author! Author! Aurora 72
Masks Off! Three Exercises of Interpretation 96
What’s in a Name? “Das Spektrum Europas” 107
Father Is Gone: Sieranevada 116
INTERVIEW WITH CRISTI PUIU | 123
Filmography | 151
Bibliography | 155
Index | 165

acknowledgments
The writing of this book would not have been possible without the help
of many dear friends, as well as the financial and logistical support of
several institutions. I would like to thank them for their confidence in
this project and their kind assistance to me during its realization.
When I started my research into the origins and evolution of the
New Romanian Cinema, one of the first companies I contacted was
Mandragora; their openness to dialogue was unique among the many
other production houses and institutions with which I corresponded at
the time. I am very grateful to director Cristi Puiu for his generosity
of spirit, patience, and the many hours of engaging, thought-provoking
conversation about cinema. I would also like to thank producer Anca
Puiu for her gracious support, and Raluca Păduraru for her promptness
and professionalism.
Jennifer Fay’s and Justus Nieland’s insightful, stimulating comments
have been instrumental in conferring a more coherent focus and struc-
ture upon the project. Daniel Nasset’s very prompt responses and help
have made the drafting process easy and smooth. I thank them all for a
wonderful experience.
Writing demands a specific commitment of one’s time and attention.
My colleagues at Kingsborough Community College, CUNY have made
it all possible for me. Provost Stuart Suss’s help and encouragement, as
well as President Farley Herzek’s support for my work, have enabled me
to stay focused and motivated. Professor Eileen Ferretti’s wise advice and
constant trust in me have energized and stimulated me. I am very grateful
to all.
Support for this project was also provided by a PSC-CUNY Award,
jointly funded by The Professional Staff Congress and The City Uni-