Starting with the second half of 2022, Reactor has joyfully kicked off the multi-annual program "Intersections"—a vibrant artistic journey exploring the wonderful crossroads of theater and cinema! This program features theatrical shows that creatively embrace cinematic language, film screenings highlighting the beautiful dialogue between stage and screen, discussions with featured and guest artists about these creative intersections, and a fantastic theater and film workshop led by Radu Jude alongside the Reactor team (held between November 2022 and January 2023). We caught up with Radu Jude to ask him a few questions about this incredibly rich theme!

How do you see the relationship between theater and film?
I'm quite primitive in my thinking, and because of that, I only see the extremes! That is, either I feel that, fundamentally, theater and film have absolutely nothing in common, or I see all the arts as being one and the same (with the differences between them becoming quite insignificant from this perspective). Both views feel completely right to me, and I find myself leaning toward one or the other depending on the context!

From your perspective, how do theater and film influence each other, and how have they influenced you in your artistic work?
Just like the question above, this one is much too broad to give just one simple answer! As for me, I am deeply drawn to theater for elements of dramaturgy and acting, but especially for everything related to mise-en-scène and the wonderful freedom that theatrical convention offers! Paradoxically (or maybe not), the abundance of tools that cinema has at its disposal doesn't always offer more freedom—often, it leads to much more rigid conventions than in theater, painting, or literature. Without the inspiring influence of theater, some of my films simply wouldn't exist (which might not have been a bad thing!), or they would have been much more aesthetically cluttered!

In your films, there is a certain type of theatricality, mostly in a Brechtian style. Why did you choose this direction and what does it mean to you?
I don't know exactly what theatricality means; for me, there is only cinema! In the sense that cinema involves capturing reality with a camera and transforming that reality into moving images. To me, that is the magical core of it all, and under this big umbrella of cinema, everything can fit in—including a style of acting or dramaturgy that some might consider "theatrical"!

What do you think you might discover through this exciting meeting between your cinematic experience and the practice of independent theater artists like those at Reactor?

One of the most exciting things (always, but especially in recent years) has to do with the democratization of filmmaking tools! Just as it's relatively easy to grab a pencil and paper to write a poem or a brush to paint a picture, it's becoming easier and easier for everyone to make films: with mobile phones, affordable video cameras, and so on. The fact that the so-called "film industry" and its institutions (funding bodies, cinema chains, streaming platforms, or film festivals) still resist these formats is just a first step. I am more and more convinced that they will eventually be welcomed with open arms! Of course, I'm aware this doesn't automatically mean the world will suddenly be filled with giant talents—the world didn't overflow with master painters just because anyone can buy brushes from the stationery store. But I would be absolutely thrilled if this workshop inspires some of the participants to start making cinema, if that's what they wish! They shouldn't hesitate for a second, even if they are labeled "amateurs." As the wonderful Erik Satie once said: “Et d’une seule voix je crie: Vive les amateurs!”

"Intersections" is a multi-annual cultural program co-funded by the National Cultural Fund Administration.

The program does not necessarily represent the official position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the program or how the results of the program may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the grant beneficiary. Like this post? Share it!FacebookTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterest