An afternoon with Richard | MakingWaves

Feb 20: An afternoon with Richard: 15 years after the Romanian New Wave hit the US

“Art is not democratic – not everyone has talent. It’s important for us [as curators] to look for that talent as openly and without prejudice as we can.” – Richard Peña

On the occasion of the 15th online edition of Making Waves, Salon Insula 42 is inviting you to an “essential conversation” with Richard Peña, professor of Film and Media Studies at Columbia University, former director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and New York Film Festival, and one of the most dedicated champions of Romanian film in the U.S.

Richard was the one who, together with Scott Foundas, invited us in 2011 at the Film Society Lincoln Center, after curating, in 2008, the first Romanian film retrospective at that same venue. His immense knowledge of international, European and Eastern European film, his generosity, fantastic energy and strong, unflinching, commitment to new talent made him our dearest and irreplaceable “accomplice” all along.

He was there, from the very beginning, when Puiu’s “Death of Mr Lazarescu” and Mungiu’s “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” took the film world by storm. One can only look forward to the mirror he can put on 15 years and more of Romanian film excellency.

Saturday, February 20, 2021
6 pm Bucharest / 11 am NYC
In English

Live on Facebook

[foto: Julie Cunah]

In the News

Thank you to our supporters!

Our #filmfestival developed in time to become a landmark and a reason of pure joy for many of us, and many of you actively took part in this process. The 15th edition of Making Waves is made possible by the leading support of the Trust for Mutual Understanding and the JBFC Program Fund, with additional support from the Romanian National Film Center and individual donors. We deeply express our gratitude to your fidelity and support!

For Your Consideration at Making Waves 15

The 15th anniversary edition of Making Waves opens on February 18 online in the U.S. with Alexander Nanau's acclaimed collective, short-listed for the Oscars in two categories. It is Romania's best shot ever at an Academy nomination and award, so make sure not to miss it, along with all the films selected for this edition, many in U.S. Premiere, deserving of nominations in select categories.

We may not be able to come together in a cinema this year, but the festival spirit is still here with filmmakers and Romanian film champions offering insighful takes on the new Romanian Cinema. We celebrate the U.S. Premiere of select new Romanian films with pre-recorded conversations with filmmakers. And more!

Passes are now on sale

Passes for the 15th edition of Making Waves are available in the JBFC Virtual Marquee. Please note that no tickets are available to individual films, only series passes are available. Festival passes offer access to all films in the festival, introductions, as well as exclusive pre-recorded interviews with filmmakers and actors for the titles in U.S. Premiere.

Feb 20: An afternoon with Richard: 15 years after the Romanian New Wave hit the US

On the occasion of the 15th edition of Making Waves, Salon Insula 42 is inviting you to an "essential conversation" with Richard Peña, professor of Film and Media Studies at Columbia University and one of the most dedicated champions of Romanian film in the U.S., on 15 years and more of Romanian film excellency.

The festival trailer is now online!

Are you ready for the 15th Making Waves? The festival trailer is now online! Get a taste of what's to follow and stay tuned for more original material about the films and filmmakers of this edition.

15th Making Waves announces lineup

We have some hot announcements for you: the Making Waves #15 program! The first good news is that each daily release of a film will be available for streaming for the next 48h. The second one is that the shorts can be accessed for the entire festival period. Starting with February 12 you can purchase the festival passes, so you don't have to worry anymore about the Valentine's Day gift for your loved ones.

Get ready for the 15th MAKING WAVES: February 18-24, 2021

We are happy to announce that the 15th edition of Making Waves will take place exclusively online between February 18-24th, 2021, together with our long-term partners at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY. The best of #NewRomanianCinema will be back in the US according to the particular times we are living.

“The Romanians” streaming through April 2021

With the current pandemic closing cinemas all over the world, the U.S. Tour of the retrospective is on hold. But we bring you now many of the series titles on VOD. Making Waves proudly presents a 15-film selection of the retrospective, with some of these titles available for the first time online for wider U.S. audience. Find below the full list of films that are now streaming.

10 titles of “The Romanians” are available online in Europe

After traveling around the world and meeting the American and Canadian audiences, “The Romanians Go On” spreads all over Europe. Gathering 10 landmark films from some of the most acclaimed directors, Making Waves continues its program in virtual cinema. Here it`s the full line-up.

Canada, start watching online “The Romanians”!

Our series “The Romanians Go On” is also available for the Canadian territory. With a selection of 10 titles, Making Waves invites the public in this area to enjoy some of the best Romanian films of the last three decades. Find below full list of films.

Film Bonus: THE PAPER WILL BE BLUE online in the US & worldwide

Launching today worldwide and for the first time ever in the US, Radu Muntean`s chronicle of revolutionary chaos and confusion - “The Paper Will Be Blue”.

Virtual Cinema Expands @BAMPFA

Making Waves partners up with UC Berkeley Art Museum and Film Archive (BAMPFA) and presents to the American audience four titles of “The Romanians”. After launching some titles in partnership with Film Forum and Lightbox Film Center, BAMPFA joins us.

Launching in the US: THE STATE OF THINGS & LUXURY HOTEL

We are launching today two new award-winning films from early 1990s, little known in the U.S. Though very much of their time, these examinations of revolution, social conviction, immorality and autocracy feel particularly relevant today.

STUFF AND DOUGH now streaming worldwide

June 5, 2020 - Cristi Puiu's groundbreaking debut film becomes available for streaming in the U.S. and can now be rented or purchased worldwide. It is also featured in the Virtual Cinema selection of Film Forum New York and Lightbox Film Center in Philadelphia.

Streaming in Canada & U.S.: DO NOT LEAN OUT THE WINDOW

May 29, 2020 - If any film can be said to bridge the gap between Romanian cinema prior to 1989 and today, it’s Do Not Lean Out the Window (E pericoloso sporgersi), Nae Caranfil’s wry look at the final years of communism.

VIDEOGRAMS OF A REVOLUTION opens today in the US!

May 29, 2020 - Starting today, Andrei Ujică and Harun Farocki's landmark VIDEOGRAMS OF A REVOLUTION becomes for the first time available for streaming in the U.S. and internationally.

You can now watch “The Romanians” online!

Making Waves is now taking place online and has made a 13-film selection of the retrospective available for streaming in the U.S., with many of these titles available for the first time online for wider U.S. audiences. See the selection NOW STREAMING and upcoming.

Support Making Waves Film Festival in times of Coronavirus

Making Waves had to postpone all the tour`s screenings scheduled in different US cities. We appreciate your support and your understanding as we try to protect each other and to overcome these uncertain times. If you would like to make a donation to help Making Waves survive, we would be extraordinarily grateful.

“The Romanians on U.S. Tour” is currently postponed

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “The Romanians on U.S. Tour” had to postpone its screenings scheduled in cinemas. Making Waves festival team together with their partners decided to postpone the following screenings of the tour until further notice.

Maia Morgenstern is MW special guest in Philadelphia

Come meet Maia Morgenstern! Beloved actress will be present at Lightbox Film Center in Philadelphia on March 13 for the screening of the legendary Lucian Pintilie`s THE OAK (7:00 PM).

Tickets for Phoenix screenings are now on sale!

Making Waves partners up with the first edition of the Arizona Romanian Film Festival, initiated by Arizona ARCC, to introduce you 6 titles of the Retrospective THE ROMANIANS. Tickets are now on sale!

7 films of THE ROMANIANS presented in Philadelphia, PA

The program of the Retrospective running March 12 - 27, 2020 at the Lightbox Film Center is now available. Audiences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can find the full schedule and buy tickets for the event on our website or Lightbox Film Center`s website.

See Andrei Ujică`s trilogy @BAMPFA in Berkeley, CA

Director Andrei Ujică joined Making Waves 14 at Film Forum in New York last autumn. The tour of the Retrospective presents two screenings of his trilogy: Videograms of a Revolution & The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceaușescu on February 12 and February 16, at BAMPFA Berkeley, California.

National Gala Premiere of THE OAK in a new 4k restoration

Romanian gala premiere of Lucian Pintilie`s THE OAK in a new 4k restoration takes place on Tuesday, February 4, 8:00 pm, at National Theater in Bucharest. The new version was made with the support of BRD – Groupe Société Générale and Fundația9 through the Lucian Pintilie Cinema Fund launched in 2018.

The 2019 New Releases ran December 5-10

Complementing the 30-year retrospective, Making Waves returned at the Jacob Burns Film Center from December 5-10, 2019 with the traditional panorama of the best new releases of the year.

MO’ star Dana Rogoz & director Radu Dragomir @ JBFC

Presenting his debut film in the U.S. Premiere, director Radu Dragomir will join Making Waves/New Releases at Jacob Burns Film Center on December 7, 7:30 p.m. for the screening of MO. Title character of the film, beloved actress Dana Rogoz will also be present there for the Q&A session.

THE WHISTLERS’ star Rodica Lazăr @ JBFC

A mainstay of many of the New Wave films (from The Death of Mr Lazarescu to Principles of Life, The Last Day, or Ramona), actress Rodica Lazăr will join the Making Waves/New Releases opening night screening of The Whistlers on December 5 at the Jacob Burns Film Center for a Q&A session.

Constantin Popescu wraps up @ Film Forum

Director Constantin Popescu will join us for the closing screening of "The Romanians" at Film Forum with his visceral Pororoca, followed by a Q&A moderated by Richard Peña (Tuesday, November 26, 8:00 pm). Don't miss also his contribution to the Tales from the Golden Age omnibus, the Pig segment, playing Saturday, November 23.

Film Forum Repertory Calendar feat. “The Romanians” is out

Film Forum's November 2019 – February 2020 Repertory Calendar is out, featuring the 30-film series "The Romanians", along with other must-see fare. Check it out and save the dates!

Director Tudor Giurgiu at MW2019

One of the oldest friends of Making Waves, director Tudor Giurgiu will be coming to New York for the screening of his 2012 film Of Snails and Men on November 23. Parking, his fourth feature, is also being featured in this year's New Releases program.

Director Andrei Ujică @ Film Forum

One of the most appreciated representatives of the New Non-Fictional Cinema in the world, director and professor Andrei Ujică will be present at "The Romanians" at Film Forum for the screening of two of his legendary titles in this year's special retrospective: Videograms of a Revolution and The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

Actor Andi Vasluianu joins the Retrospective

One of the most prolific and talented actors of his generation, Andi Vasluianu joins us at Film Forum for the presentation of two titles in the retrospective: Cristian Nemescu's California Dreamin' (Endless) on Thu, November 21, and Of Snails and Men by Tudor Giurgiu, who will also be in New York for the screening (Sat, November 23).

ALIANȚA Cultural Award 2019 for Making Waves Festival!

We proudly announce that Film ETC. Association / Romanian Film Initiative was awarded with 2019 ALIANȚA Cultural Award - Excellence Award for Promoting Romanian Films in USA, through Making Waves film festival.

Legendary Film Forum joins Making Waves

Legendary NYC film institution, Film Forum has joined the 14th edition of Making Waves to co-present the largest program dedicated to Romanian cinema presented in the U.S. to date: THE ROMANIANS: 30 YEARS OF CINEMA REVOLUTION, a 12 day, 30-film series celebrating three decades of post-Ceausescu cinema, from November 15-26, 2019.

Making Waves receives the support of TMU and other donors

The 14th edition of Making Waves is made possible with the support of the Trust for Mutual Understanding, Romanian Filmmakers Union, Dacin Sara, the Romanian National Film Center, Blue Heron Foundation and numerous individual donors.

Sneak Peek:
“The Romanians” trailer is online

Get a taste on what the "The Romanians: 30 Years of Cinema Revolution", opening November 15 at Film Forum, has in store.

“The Romanians” launched in the U.S. at Film Forum NYC

“The thirty Romanian films from the thirty years since the fall of communism presented this year at Film Forum mark a cycle of creative freedom in Romanian cinema,” notes Corina Suteu, Making Waves festival president and co-curator.

Cinema Projects is the retrospective partner

"Romanian cinema of the past 30 years feels especially relevant in today's America,” says David Schwartz, founder of Cinema Projects and co-curator of the retrospective.

Making Waves Celebrates 30 Years of New Romanian Cinema with U.S. Tour

Making Waves has launched a nationwide tour of The Romanians: 30 Years of Cinema Revolution. A selection of the program will tour throughout the U.S. through May 2020, beginning at the University of California at Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA).

Today is #GivingTuesday. Celebrate by supporting the largest Romanian retrospective in the U.S. on a national tour in more than seven cities, from December 2019 through May 2020. Learn more and Support!

Making Waves and Film Forum announce “The Romanians”

The largest program dedicated to Romanian cinema presented in the U.S. to date, this 30-film series celebrates 30 years of post-Ceauşescu cinema – from the early 1990s, when directors were finally free to look clearly at the Communist era, through the exciting years of the Romanian New Wave, and the current decade, with much new talent still emerging.