(Jaful Secolului)
Sunday November 16, 3:15 pm
2024, 2 hours, Romanian
Romania has officially submitted Jaful Secolului (Traffic)—directed by Teodora Ana Mihai and penned by acclaimed filmmaker Cristian Mungiu—as its contender for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards. Inspired by the infamous 2012 art heist in the Netherlands, orchestrated by a group of Romanian nationals, Traffic delves into themes of identity, migration, and the nuanced dynamics between Eastern Europe and the West. The film reframes a sensational crime into a deeply human story, exploring the social and emotional undercurrents that drive its characters.
Traffic has already made waves on the international circuit, winning the Grand Prize at the 2024 Warsaw International Film Festival, Best Actress at the Tokyo International Film Festival for Anamaria Vartolomei, the Balkan Film Award in Sofia, and the Audience Award in Shanghai. With its gripping narrative and emotional depth, Traffic stands as a powerful reflection of Romania’s evolving cinematic voice on the global stage.