The genre-mashing tragicomedy will be presented at the upcoming Venice Gap-Financing Market Romanian director Bogdan Mirică lives a life intricately connected to screens. He has directed two feature films, including the award-winning “Dogs,” as well as majorly popular television shows, like HBO’s “Shadows.” Over the last few years, however, the director has become increasingly aware of the presence of screens all around us. The result of that growing questioning is “Magnum Opus,” a project he is set to present at Venice’s Gap-Financing Market.
As Alex goes into full detective mode, clashing with his family, crew and the police, the film sees chaos ensue, egos clash, and secrets unravel. And since we’re talking about posing, I will quote my protagonist without shame: ‘We have become the avatar of an avatar.’” Producers Ioana Lascar and Radu Stancu first came across Mirică’s work at their home country’s leading festival, the Transylvania Intl. They both tell Variety how “Dogs” had a “real impact” on them.
The director has also secured the main cast for the film, led by Vlad Brumaru (“Three Kilometers to the End of the World”), Vlad Ivanov (“4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days”) and Iulian Postelnicu (“The New Year That Never Came”). Lascar notes how having the right cast is “essential” for the success of a film with such a precise tonal balance. We believe this combination of strong individual performances and ensemble dynamics can produce some genuinely memorable characters.
For us, that is both one of the greatest challenges and one of the most exciting promises of the film.” The production team emphasizes how they have “built a strong network of producers across Europe and beyond and genuinely believe in the creative value of that exchange.” “Magnum Opus” is a co-production between Romania’s deFilms, Poland’s Lava Films, Bulgaria’s Screening Emotions and Moldova’s 609 Film. Asked about what attracts him to work both in film and television and whether he intends to continue to helm projects for the small screen, Mirică says, “Working with HBO has been an amazing experience.” “Not only did I have the privilege of writing the entire show I was working on, but I also directed most of the episodes. So, creatively speaking, I never felt there were any compromises, and HBO has been the best partner-slash-employer one could hope for.” “For me, TV vs. cinema is not really a moral dilemma,” he adds.
Cinema allows for more freedom, but that doesn’t necessarily entail greater value. I think the format is just the vessel; what you put inside is up to you.” Lascar and Stancu are headed to the market boosted by the belief their country is undergoing a “very interesting period of renewed confidence.” “Over the past several years, there has been a genuine need to recalibrate the Cinema Law, rebuild a solid and workable cash-rebate system, and strengthen the dialogue between the industry and public institutions,” says Lascar.
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