Cristian Mungiu

Cristian Mungiu (Romanian pronunciation: [kristiˈan munˈd͡ʒi.u]; born 27 April 1968) is a Romanian filmmaker, winner of the Palme d'Or in 2007.

Mungiu was born in Iași. After studying English literature at the University of Iaşi, he worked for a few years as a teacher and as a journalist. After that, he enrolled at the University of Film in Bucharest to study film directing. After graduating in 1998, Mungiu made several short films. In 2002, he debuted with his first feature film, Occident. Occident enjoyed critical success, winning prizes in several film festivals and being featured in Director’s Fortnight at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

In 2007 Mungiu wrote and directed his second feature, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. The film was received enthusiastically, attracting critical praise and being selected in the official competition at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, where it eventually won the coveted Palme d'Or for feature film, marking the first time that prize was awarded to a Romanian filmmaker.

Mungiu has said that early Miloš Forman and Robert Altman are important filmmakers who influenced him. He also respects the realism of Bicycle Thieves, among other famous realistic films. Mungiu is the brother of political analyst Alina Mungiu-Pippidi.

Mungiu (third from right) as member of the feature film jury at Cannes

His 2012 film Beyond the Hills was screened in competition at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival where Mungiu won the award for Best Screenplay and Cristina Flutur and Cosmina Stratan shared the award for Best Actress. The film was also selected as the Romanian entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, making the January shortlist.

In 2013 he produced the next film of Nae Caranfil 6.9 on Richter In April 2013 he was selected as a member of the main competition jury at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

After Beyond the Hills (2012) Cristian Mungiu's new project will deal with parenting and focus on a male character. The producer/writer/director hopes to shoot it in 2015 "ideally while there are still leaves on the trees."

• Romanian Royal Family: 70th Knight of the Royal Decoration of the Cross of the Romanian Royal House

• http://www.familiaregala.ro/ordine-si-decoratii/crucea-casei-regale-a-romaniei

• 2000
  • Corul pompierilor (short)
  • Nicio întâmplare (short)
  • Zapping (short)
• 2002 – Occident
• 2005 – Lost and Found - segment Turkey Girl
• 2007 – 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
• 2009 – Tales from the Golden Age
• 2012 – Beyond the Hills
• 2016 – Graduation