Cristian Mungiu (b. 1968, Iaşi) is a Romanian filmmaker, winner of the Palme d’Or in 2007.

After studying English literature at the University of Iaşi, he worked for a few years as a teacher and as a journalist.

After that, he enrolled at the University of Film in Bucharest to study film directing. After graduating in 1998, Mungiu made several short films.

In 2002, he debuted with his first feature film, Occident. Occident enjoyed critical success, winning prizes in several film festivals and being featured in Director’s Fortnight at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

“I believe in the joy of little things. I enjoy walking and observing things, noticing details about people and the space I'm in. We live in the movie of our own life and we seldom pay attention to it. ”

In 2007 Mungiu wrote and directed his second feature, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.

The film was received enthusiastically, attracting critical praise and being selected in the official competition at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, where it eventually won the coveted Palme d’Or for feature film, marking the first time that prize was awarded to a Romanian filmmaker.

Mungiu has said that early Miloš Forman and Robert Altman are important filmmakers who influenced him. —Wikipedia

Filmography

1996  ‘Horia Viorel Brief’ (short film documentary),
1997  ‘Mariana’ (short film),
1998  ‘The Hand of Paulista’ (short),
2000  ‘Nothing by Chance’ (short),
2000  ‘Zapping’ (short),
2000  ‘The Fireman’s Choir’ (short),
2002  ‘Occident’ (feature),
2005  ‘Turkey Girl’ (short),
2007  ‘4 months, 3 weeks & 2 days’ (feature)
2012  Beyond the Hills