• Title: Azi eram Frumoasa, Juna (Today I was Young and Pretty)
  • Author:
  • Duration: 52:00
  • Year: 2008
Most of the Gypsy population of Clejani, a village located some 50 km away from Bucharest, traditionally consists of musicians going back for many generations. The film shows how the musicians relate to daily life and the way their perception of reality influences their music. A firm belief in superstitions, the unavoidable blows of fate and communication with the dead, become the sources of inspiration and expression, of joy and sorrow. Alexandra Gulea’s unconventional documentary takes us on a musical journey to the origins of Romanian gypsy music.

Alexandra Gulea, Romania
Born in Bucharest, 1970. Studies: 1990 - Fine arts, Bucharest; 1997- ‘cum laude’ Diplom at "Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts " Paris, 1999; documentary film at Munich Film School. Director Documentary: 2000, ”Anonim"- 11'; 2004,"Dumnezeu la saxofon, Dracu la vioara"- 45'; 2007 "Azi eram Frumoasa, Juna"- 52'. Director Fiction: 2001,'The fourth wall"- 17', with Werner Schroeter; 2003, 'Hacker', 5 x 52 min. TV; 2012, “Child-Miner”- 100’ Prizes: Prize fff bayern, Munich DFF, German Short Film Prize, Golden Key, Kassel DFF, Best Student Film, Molodist, Ukraine, DAAD Prize, Germany, Prix du Film Long, Les Ecrans Documentaires, France, u.a