ICR Romanian Cultural Institute London

Children of the Decree @ European Documentary Season

     

The renowned Romanian film directed by Florin Iepan and produced by Razvan Georgescu opens the six day festival, organised by EUNIC London and the European Commission Representation in the UK. The festival, now in its third year, showcases the work of new and established directors from across the continent. This year's topic is Memory - an opportunity to rediscover history through visiting the past and often unseen archives.

Children of the Decree (Romania/Germany 2004, 68') is a chilling look at the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his enforcement of the infamous Decree 770, which banned birth control and abortion.

A lot has been said about the horrifying idea born in Hitler's mind to create the "New Man", a creature so strong, pure, perfect and pitiless made after Hitler's own image and thought. After twenty-five years from Hitler's defeat, dictator Nicolae Ceausescu steals his idea and proceeds to fulfill the unthinkable deed. Banning birth control and abortion Ceausescu's single-minded push is to repopulate the nation with millions of little "new men" destined for greatness. His orders gave birth to a new generation, an army of children without past and identity, raised as he pleased and which were destined to obey him beyond death. But these children grew up and turned against the man who gave them life. Children of the Decree: for the first time the story of one of the most significant social experiments in the Human History.

The film will be introduced by film critic Adina Bradeanu.

European Documentary Workshop 9 - 13 November
Ten recent graduates of leading European film schools, including Romanian director Lucas Florian, create five films on the theme of The Fall of The Wall. In collaboration with the London Film School and with support from the European Commission Representation in the UK. The Season continues until 21 November. Click here for the programme.

When: 15 November 2009, 6.30 pm;
Where: ciné lumière, Institut français, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT
Tickets: £5 ( conc £3) from https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/book.html