Romanian film Rusalka debuts with special preview

Rusalka, a film that explores the themes of ageing and coming to terms with past regrets, was screened in a special preview at the Cinema of the Romanian Peasant Museum, in the presence of director Claudiu Mitcu and cast members Maia Morgenstern, Rodica Negrea, Rodica Lazar and Claudiu Istodor, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Filmed in Bulgaria, on a remote and secluded beach, 'Rusalka' takes its title from the name of the resort where five old friends, now in their sixties, spend a few days together, reminiscing about their youth.

The cast includes Maia Morgenstern, Rodica Lazar, Rodica Negrea, Diana Gheorghian, Claudiu Istodor, Nelu Serghei, Silvana Mihai, Aida Economu, Pia Bratianu and Doina Severin.

According to actress Rodica Negrea, the film portrays a unique world.

'I love this film because it feels entirely different. I feel it has something very precious, it speaks to a certain age, a particular moment in time, a threshold. I'm especially moved by how it captures the light of a time that has passed, a time that shaped me and that still defines me. That place, Rusalka, was just like in the film, we were truly friends, and we lived the film as if we were living a part of our own lives,' she confessed.

Maia Morgenstern described the film as deeply moving.

'It's such a tender film, everything that goes on there. I watch it, rewatch it, and think about it, and every time I revisit its stories, I realise this is a film whose journey is only just beginning. (...) It's striking in its sincerity and heartfelt goodwill,' the actress said.

Director Claudiu Mitcu explained that the filming location served as a major source of inspiration.

'This film was made right after the pandemic began to subside and as the war in Ukraine was starting. (...) The place where we filmed inspired the story, but also the timing. (...) The idea originated from the location, Rusalka. It seemed alive in terms of nature but dead as a functional space. I had visited many times with my family and was eager to return. Sadly, it's one of those places, much like some in Romania, that's slowly being reclaimed by nature,' Mitcu said.

The film will have several screenings in the coming weeks. In Bucharest, it will be shown again on 22 September at Gradina cu Filme - Cinema & More and on 29 September at Cinema Elvire Popesco. In October, it will be screened in other cities: Iasi - 10 October, Blaj - 15 October, Timisoara - 16 October, Arad - 17 October.