Cristian Mungiu

Cristian Mungiu
Cristian Mungiu at the 2012 edition of Cannes Film Festival
Born 27 April 1968
Iași, Romania
Alma mater Alexandru Ioan Cuza University
Occupation(s) Director, screenwriter, producer
Years active 1998–present
Children 2
Relatives Alina Mungiu-Pippidi (sister)
Awards Palme d'Or
2007: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

Cristian Mungiu (Romanian: [kristiˈan munˈdʒi.u]; born 27 April 1968) is a Romanian filmmaker. He won the Palme d'Or at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival for his film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, which he wrote and directed. He has also won the awards for Best Screenplay and Best Director, at the 2012 and 2016 Cannes Film Festivals, for his films Beyond the Hills and Graduation.

Early life

Mungiu was born in Iași. His sister is political analyst Alina Mungiu-Pippidi. 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.

Career

In 2002, he debuted with his first feature film, Occident, which 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 won the Palme d'Or for feature film, marking the first time that prize was awarded to a Romanian filmmaker.

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.

In 2016, he directed a tragedy, Graduation, which premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. The film was in competition for the Palme d'Or. It did not win, but Mungiu won the award for Best Director.

Mungiu was the Jury President of the Semaine de la Critique non-competitive section of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

At the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, Mungiu's feature R.M.N. was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or. The film's coproducers include the Dardenne brothers' Les Films du Fleuve.

Influences and style

Mungiu has said that Miloš Forman and Robert Altman are important filmmakers who influenced him. He also respects the realism of Bicycle Thieves, among other famous realistic films.

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Film Result
2007 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days Won
FIPRESCI Prize Won
Cinema Prize of the French National Education System Won
Chicago International Film Festival Best Feature Nominated
European Film Awards Best Film (with Oleg Mutu) Won
Best Director Won
Best Screenwriter Nominated
Hollywood Film Awards Hollywood World Award Won
2008 Bodil Awards Best Non-American Film Nominated
César Awards Best Foreign Film Nominated
Gopo Awards Best Feature Film (with Oleg Mutu) Won
Best Directing Won
Audience Award Won
Best Screenplay Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards Best Foreign Film Nominated
2009 Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard Tales from the Golden Age Nominated
Goya Awards Best European Film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days Won
2010 Gopo Awards Audience Award Tales from the Golden Age Won
2012 Cannes Film Festival Best Screenplay Beyond the Hills Won
Palme d'Or Nominated
Chicago International Film Festival Best International Feature Nominated
European Film Awards European Screenwriter Nominated
Mar del Plata International Film Festival Golden Ástor Won
2016 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or Graduation Nominated
Best Director Won
Ghent International Film Festival Grand Prix for Best Film Nominated

Honours

Filmography as director

See also