Cristian Mungiu-Penned ‘Traffic,’ Directed by Teodora Ana Mihai, Wins at Warsaw Film Festival

variety.com:

Marta Balaga Teodora Ana Mihai’s “Traffic” was named the winner of the 40th Warsaw Film Festival on Saturday. The film was written by Cristian Mungiu, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes with “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” and stars “Happening” lead actor Anamaria Vartolomei. “Traffic” focuses on Romanian immigrants in Belgium, who go from unwanted second-class citizens to very much wanted criminals, as they decide to stage a heist that will change their lives forever.

You can watch the trailer here: “I was excited about the opportunity to work closely with Cristian Mungiu, as he was also co-producing the project.

I anticipated it would be an intense and challenging experience, but I don’t shy away from challenges, as I demonstrated with [previous film] ‘La Civil,’” Mihai told Variety. “I believe Cristian and I have always shared a similar understanding of the themes explored in this film, which camouflages a deep issue of East versus West, rich versus poor miscommunication with a story that ironically references gangster movies.

This dynamic reflects societies that today bear the burden of colonial guilt, alongside those that possess the assertive – if not aggressive – energy of historical oppression.” According to the director, there’s much more to Romanian cinema than the acclaimed Romanian New Wave. “I believe many local filmmakers are experimenting with new stories and styles, regardless of external expectations.