“I like Romanian films,” says legendary director Martin Scorsese
<p>Legendary director Martin Scorsese has expressed his admiration for Romanian cinema, mentioning films by directors Radu Jude, Cristian Mungiu, Cristi Puiu, and Corneliu Porumboiu in a recent interview given on January 25.</p>
<p>During the interview with Dave Karger at the TCM Classic Film Festival, Scorsese was asked about films that recently made an impact on him. After listing a few Hollywood productions, he added, "I really like Romanian films." </p>
<p>Some members of the audience initially thought he was joking, responding with laughter and applause. However, Scorsese continued. "Mungiu and Puiu—I mispronounce their names—<em>Police, Adjective</em> (dir. Corneliu Porumboiu), <em>Sieranevada</em> (dir. by Cristi Puiu),"  he said. </p>
<div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AQBsUceyBNc?autoplay=1&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe>
</div>

<p>Scorsese particularly highlighted Radu Jude's films. "There's this guy named Radu Jude… He’s something else. Especially <em>Aferim!</em>, which he shot in black and white, and another one that I’m sure isn’t to everyone’s taste, <em>Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World</em>. That one is shocking—it takes political content, cinema, morality, immorality, throws it all on screen, then shatters it into a thousand pieces, and suddenly, you see the world differently."  </p>
<p>Jude’s films, Scorsese motivated, are “fresh and engaging.” He went on to cite the Romanian director. “I think he once said, 'Maybe cinema hasn’t even begun yet.' And he’s right… he’s right."  </p>
<p>Radu Jude shared the interview on his Facebook page, noting that it is a great honor to be mentioned.</p>
<p>Martin Scorsese has been a defining figure in world cinema since the 1970s, gaining fame with <em>Taxi Driver</em> (1976) and <em>New York, New York</em> (1977). He holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for Best Director, with ten. He won only one Oscar, in 2006, for <em>The Departed</em>. He is particularly known for films centered on the mafia.</p>
<p><em><a href="mailto:radu@romania-insider.com">radu@romania-insider.com</a></em></p>
<p><em>(Photo source: <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/asaturjan_info">Asaturjan</a> | <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/">Dreamstime.com</a>)</em></p>