“Liberty”, produced by Oana Bujgoi Giurgiu and Tudor Giurgiu, was chosen Best Feature Film at the Gopo Awards Gala. The 18th edition of the event, which annually celebrates and rewards the achievements of Romanian cinema, took place on Monday at the “IL Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest.
Raluca Turcan, Minister of Culture, and actress Victoria Cociaş presented the award. “Congratulations to the team, it was a very difficult film,” said Oana Bujgoi Giurgiu. Tudor Giurgiu thanked the operator Alex Sterian. “I want to thank those to whom we don’t really say thank you, but the work of those who promote the film in cinemas, without those from Transilvania Film, is essential”.
Alex Calangiu won the first Gopo statuette in his career, which he dedicated to his daughter. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, with the role of Viorel Stănese in “Liberty”.
The prize for the entire activity, awarded to Dan Nuţu, was awarded by Oana Pellea. “It is an evening of freedom. I thank Tudor Giurgiu for giving me the opportunity to speak freely about a great love of my life, a man whom the camera adored and adores, a man who chose freedom at one point, leaving behind an exceptional career behind. Half of Romania was dead after him. If I had ever emigrated to America, I would have emigrated for him”, said Oana Pellea about Dan Nuţu.
“Without foreseeing it, waiting or dreaming, this is the evening,” said the actor, who 45 years ago left the country and the profession. He thanked Tudor Giurgiu, Laurenţiu Damian, Victor Rebengiuc for their friendship.
Eva Kiss from Denmark performed at the Gopo Awards “Freedom” gala.
Tudor Giurgiu was awarded the Gopo for Best Director. “After the film came out on cranes, I have a habit, I entered the forums and discovered the opinion of a young man from Cluj. Finally, Giurgiu made a good film. He was right, I don’t know. I hope to excel from now on and to bore you from now on”, confessed the director upon receiving the trophy. “This film, more than many others, is a film where the actors shine”, emphasized Giurgiu, thanking and naming some of the actors from the consistent cast of the production.
The best actress in a leading role was chosen by voters as Ilinca Manolache for the role of Angela Răducanu in the film “Don’t expect too much from the end of the world” by Radu Jude.
On Monday evening, Rodica Mandache was honored at the Gopo gala by Marius Manole. The great actress received the Award for her entire career.
“Ms. Rodica Mandache is the best benchmark that keeps the balance right, you are the person who shows us that energy never dies, you are willing to learn from anyone because you never get tired. Six decades of work, of life dedicated to this job. The most important advice I received from Rodica Mandache: times are always hard, but the public should never be deceived”.
The Gopo award for the best documentary film was awarded to the film “Among Revolutions” by Vlad Petri, producer: Monica Lăzurean-Gorgan. “Today, we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East. In Gaza, more than 30,000 people died. I think it is important not to remain indifferent. Stop the genocide in Gaza!” said the director on stage at TNB.
At the event dedicated to Romanian cinema, the Gopo statuettes for Best Screenplay were handed out by Adrian Văncică and Diana Gheorghian for two films. Gopo statuettes were awarded, with equal votes, to Cecilia Ştefănescu and Tudor Giurgiu (“Liberty”) and to Radu Jude (“Don’t wait too long from the end of the world”).
George Chiper-Lillemark received the Gopo for Best Picture of the film “Toward the North” by Mihai Mincan.
Vali Ighigheanu received the Gopo statuette for the sets created for the film “Liberty”.
The Special Award of the Gopo gala went to Adrian Ştefănescu, stuntman, professional with a 52-year career in cinematography.
The best supporting actress was chosen by Maria Popistaşu for her role in “Taxi drivers”. In the male category, the prize went to Iulian Postelnicu for the role of Lt. Col. Dragoman in “Liberty”. It is the fourth statuette won by the actor on his sixth nomination.
The prize for the best debut film was awarded by the general mayor of the Capital, Nicusor Dan. “I am also an amateur cinephile. But most of all I appreciate your work in the election campaign. I had to say three sentences and it took me all day”, joked the mayor. “Leaving the joke aside, we want a strategic vision and to help you more than we are helping you now”, said Nicusor Dan, who read from the envelope the winner of “Toward the North” by Mihai Mincan, producer Ioana Lascăr.
The best suits. Viorica Petrovici for the film “Freedom”. “It was complicated to reconstruct some costumes from a period that everyone hated,” said the creator on stage.
On Monday evening, the film “Miami Bici 2”, directed by Jesus del Cerro, with 569,505 spectators brought to the theaters, was rewarded at the Gopo Gala with the Audience Award. The film is produced by WatchMe Productions and Vidra Productions, distributed in Romania by Vertical Entertainment.
A first special moment was offered at the gala by the band Delta pe Obraz.
George Constantin and Gina Patrichi, some of the immortal actors of the screen and the stage, were evoked through their films. Two special awards were given in their name. Mihai Constantin and Ana Anagnoste received the Gopo statuettes.
“Thank you for this award. I am glad to receive it on behalf of my mother. He would have turned 88 years old, but I know that from up there he sees us and is happy”. “Thank you for this tribute to the one who made me happy by being my father”, said Mihai Constantin, who thanked Victor Rebengiuc who was in the hall, clearly moved.
Teo spoke in the opening about the advice received by ChatGPT for a successful “intro” at the Gopo Gala. “Knows the audience and the industry, understands who the people in the industry are”, were some of them. “The Gopo awards are a unique opportunity for Romanian cinema to meet and see how it’s a full house,” joked the presenter. “Romanian films are the future in this country because they don’t have subtitles and soon no one will know how to read,” he continued in the same spirit. But he also pointed out that “Gopo prizes spoil worse than Vama Veche, the difference is that you drink less in Vama Veche”, joked Teo. A valuable tip from ChatGPT: “Using humor: be careful not to offend!”
The award for best sound was first presented on Monday night. It went to Tamas Syekely and Andre Rigaut for the film “Liberty”.
The best short film was chosen “Where the boats don’t arrive”, directed by Vlad Buzăianu, producer: Anamaria Antoci | Romania (Tangaj Production).
The picture prize offered by the RSC Romanian Society of Cinematographers went to Alex Sterian for “Liberty”. And Petya Simeonova and Domnica Bodogan won the Gopo award for the best hair and make-up in the movie “Liberty”.
The best European film among those distributed in Romania in 2023 was designated “Anatomy of a Collapse”, by Justine Triet, distributed by Voodoo Films.
The voters preferred the best original music by Marius Leftărache for the movie “Boss”. It is the third Gopo award won by the composer, after 14 nominations.
Reka Lemhenyi won a Gopo for editing the film “Liberty”. “I’ve been friends with Gopo for a long time, since I used to go to see the films with the Little Man. Now I have it and I am very happy. I think I made a very important film”, said Monteuza.
Young Hope was nominated Niko Becker for the role of Dumitru in the movie “Towards the North”.
The show was presented by the stand-up comedy actor Claudiu Teohari.
“Boss” (dir. Bogdan Mirică), “Liberty” (dir. Tudor Giurgiu.), “MMXX” (dir. Cristi Puiu), “Don’t expect too much from the end of the world” (dir. Radu Jude) and “Toward nord” (dir. Mihai Mincan) were the films that officially entered the race for the Gopo trophy in the Best Feature Film category.
In the “Best Director” category, Bogdan Mirică was nominated for the film “Boss”, Tudor Giurgiu for the film “Liberty”, Cristi Puiu for the film “MMXX”, Radu Jude for “Don’t expect too much from the end of the world” and Mihai Mincan for “Towards the North”.
In the “Best Actress in a Leading Role” category, Diana Gheorghian (“Dark Ages”), Adelaida Perjoiu and Bianca Cuculici competed for their roles in the feature film “MMXX”, Ilinca Manolache (“Don’t wait too long for the end of the world” ) and Cătălina Moga (“Tiger”), while for “Best actor in a leading role”: Laurenţiu Bănescu (“Boss”), Alex Calangiu (“Liberty”), Niko Becker and Soliman Cruz for the roles in the film “Toward the North” and Vlad Logigan (“The Dream”).
The event was broadcast live on voyo, TIFF Unlimited and premiilegopo.ro.
The record of the gala
The best feature film – “Liberty”, produced by Oana Bujgoi Giurgiu and Tudor Giurgiu
Best Director – Tudor Giurgiu for “Freedom”
Best actor in a leading role – Alex Calangiu for the role of Viorel Stănese in “Liberty”
The best actress in a leading role – Ilinca Manolache for the role of Angela Răducanu in the film “Don’t expect too much from the end of the world”
Best Picture – George Chiper-Lillemark for “Up North”
Best actor in a supporting role – Iulian Postelnicu for the role of Lt. Col. Dragoman in “Liberty”
The best actress in a secondary role – Maria Popistaşu for the role of Ilinca in “Taximetricians”
The best sets – Vali Ighigheanu for the film “Freedom”
Best screenplay – Cecilia Ştefănescu and Tudor Giurgiu (“Freedom”) and Radu Jude (“Don’t wait too long for the end of the world”)
Best Editing – Reka Lemhenyi for the film “Freedom”
Best Sound – Tamás Székely and André Rigaut for the film “Freedom”
Best Original Score – Marius Leftărache for the film “Boss”
Best costumes – Viorica Petrovici for the movie “Freedom”
The best make-up and the best hairstyle – Petya Simeonova and Domnica Bodogan for “Liberty”
The best debut film – “Spre Nord” by Mihai Mincan, producer Ioana Lascăr
The best documentary film – “Between Revolutions” by Vlad Petri
Young hope – Niko Becker for the role of Dumitru in the movie “Toward the North”
Best European Film – “Anatomy of a Collapse” by Justine Triet, distributed by Voodoo Films
Audience Award – “Miami Bici 2”, by Jesus del Cerro
Best short film – “Where the boats don’t reach”, directed by Vlad Buzăianu, producer: Anamaria Antoci
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Tags: Gopo Awards Liberty named Feature Film statuettes total Alex Calangiu Ilinca Manolache actors Revolutions chosen Documentary Awards gala
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