Berlin-based Picture Tree International's THE CAMPAIGN in official competition at the 42nd Moscow International Film Festival.
Berlin-based Picture Tree International (PTI) launches Marian Crisan’s new feature THE CAMPAIGN in official competition at the 42nd Moscow International Film Festival.
Berlin, August 28th – Picture Tree International (PTI) launches Marian Crisan’s political satire THE CAMPAIGN (original title: BERLINER), about a Romanian politician who starts his populist campaign in order to enter the European Parliament by using a humble farmer family for his political agenda. Written and directed by Marian Crisan, THE CAMPAIGN sheds a satirical light on contemporary political culture and its obliquities.
Synopsis: Viorel, a quiet, upright tractor driver from a small town in west Romania meets Mocanu, a high profile politician campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament. Mocanu’s car has broken down nearby and Viorel and his wife welcome the politician into their humble home. Under investigation for corruption, Mocanu sees an opportunity and decides to stay with this modest family during the rest of the campaign, winning people’s hearts by posing as a common man next to his “old friend”, the honest, hard-working farmer. In return, Viorel will get a new tractor.
About the production: THE CAMPAIGN was produced by Marian Crisan and Anca Puiu for Rova Film, an independent film production company based in Bucharest, Romania. It was founded by Marian Crisan himself in 2005, and has since produced numerous music videos, short films, documentaries and feature films. Crisan says about the production process, “I worked with professional actors, but also amateurs trying to give the impression of real people from real places”. The minimal use of music, editing and visuals contributes to this candid depiction of an election campaign’s impact on its people.
About the director: Marian Crisan was born in 1976 in Salonta, West Romania. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Film and TV Directing at UNATC Bucharest in 1999. His short film MEGATRON won the Palme d’Or for Best Short Film at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. In 2010, his first feature film MORGEN won the Special Jury Prize at the 63rd Edition of the Locarno Film Festival, and was also the Romanian entry for the 84th Academy Awards. THE CAMPAIGN is Marian’s fourth feature film as a director.
THE CAMPAIGN will celebrate its world premiere in competition at the 42nd Moscow International Film Festival this October after being postponed from its original dates in April, and is already confirmed for further festival premieres worldwide.
