TIFF.11 - 2012
The 11th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival took place in Cluj-Napoca from June 1 to June 10, 2012. The festival opened in Piața Unirii / Ursus Open Air with two special moments: the first Romanian screening of the restored colour version of Georges Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon / Le voyage dans la lune, 110 years after its first screening, and the first public screening of Tudor Giurgiu’s comedy Of Snails and Men.
The TIFF 2012 image campaign was built around the idea that, at TIFF, “film has become a religion.” The official poster parodied this idea in two versions, one “traditional” and one “modern,” with references to the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța and to the audience’s unconditional passion for cinema.
The official trailers continued the same ironic and cinephile direction. One version, directed by Iulia Rugină, included references to Kubrick and Méliès, turning the rocket in Méliès’ moon into a remote control flying through the air. The trailer also drew on local colour, using the authentic Transylvanian accent of Cluj actors Adrian Cucu and Anca Hanu. Another version of the trailer was directed by Marian Crișan.
An important landmark of the edition was the activation of Casa TIFF, which began functioning as a meeting place for audiences, guests and complementary events. During the first weekend, it hosted concerts, screenings and debates, including a Rodion G.A. live set, a screening of Vampyr and the debate “Film and Politics.”
Among the edition’s special events was the Georges Méliès cine-concert at Bánffy Castle in Bonțida, presented by Marie-Hélène Lehérissey, Méliès’ great-granddaughter, and Lawrence Lehérissey, who accompanied a program of Méliès films live on piano. TIFF 2012 also included an anniversary event dedicated to The Stone Wedding, 40 years after its release, with a special screening in the presence of members of the film team, alongside the documentary Memoria de piatră.
The edition also strengthened the festival’s complementary and professional programs. Diversity Day included screenings, traditional Roma crafts workshops, a performance created by children from Pata Rât and a Romano ButiQ concert, while Transilvania Talent Lab held its first edition, bringing together young film professionals for seminars, masterclasses and case studies.
