Synopsis
Foreword: One of the representative films of Romanian cinema about growing up in the late 1970s, September follows the story of a young man at a crossroads in his life, exploring themes such as responsibility, love, freedom and the consequences of impulsive choices. Director Timotei Ursu captures with realism the emotional fragility of youth, while offering a subtle portrait of the Romanian society of that period.
Directed by: Timotei Ursu
Script by: Timotei Ursu
Cast: Geo Costiniu, Anda Onesa, Sandu Popa, Jean Constantin, Horațiu Mălăele, Ștefan Mihăilescu-Brăila, Ștefan Bănică
Producer: Dumitru Fernoagă (director) Mihai Opriș (delegated producer) House of Films 5
Cinematography by: Călin Ghibu
Edited by: Erica Aurian
Sound: Dan Ionescu
Music: Adrian Enescu
Year: 1978
Category: Feature film
Genre: Drama
Duration: 105 minutes
PLOT SUMMARY
After failing admission to the Polytechnic, Vali Abrudan becomes a suspect in an investigation into several thefts. In an attempt to change his destiny, he meets Anisoara and they go together to the sea, on a journey with a tragic end.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
In 1980, after I had “problems” with my third feature film (a film without great ambitions, entitled “The FOURTH FLOCK”, with a theme that I freely adapted, after Mihail Sebastian, but to which I was forced to add a ridiculous, stupid “happy end”, so as not to seem… “existentialist”(!??) – well, answering the questions of an interview in the magazine “Cinema” I openly told my point of view on the brutal interference of censorship in the work of filmmakers. At that time, the directors of feature films had been “contracted out” and we were effectively blackmailed financially, through these contracts, to “stop creating troubled films”. Such a film was considered, aberrant, even the second one I made, “SEPTEMBER”!. – Timotei Ursu in “Timotei Ursu in New York”, interview with Nicholas Buda, February 21, 2012, www.gîndaculdecolorado.com
AWARDS:
- Grand Prize at Costinesti Film Festival 1979
- Award for Female Performance – Anda Onesa, Costinești Film Festival 1979
- Music Award – Adrian Enescu, Costinesti Film Festival 1979
- Diploma for debut Anda Onesa at the 1978 ACIN Gala
FESTIVALS:
- FEST Belgrade 1979
- Istanbul Inter-Balkan Festival
- Dresden Intersocialist Fesitvale
CRITICAL REVIEWS:
“Although conceived for propagandistic purposes, the film “September” is one of the most poetic Romanian films of the communist period due to the (clumsy and therefore credible) interaction of the characters played by Geo Costiniu and Anda Onesa” – Cezarik21, September – cinemagia.ro
“September” remains a topical film, honest and serious, about some young people today, who are looking for their way in life, and sometimes do not find the right one. I can’t find it because I don’t understand in time that you can’t ask life and people for it without giving them something in return.”– Adina Darian, Cinema magazine no. 4/1978
“What charms is the naturalness of the dialogue between the two protagonists. There’s nothing forced, nothing vulgar. Their love grows like a flower through the cracks of an asphalt road. Their way to the sea, at night, on a motorcycle, a symbol of freedom. That is why, from this first role, Anda Onesa (student at the Pucioasa Textile High School) and Geo Costiniu (the young actor at the Giulesti Theatre) are already consecrated with this film.” – Narcis Amariei, Fiction magazine no. 95/105, June 2024 – fictiunea.ro
TRIVIA:
- The script is written by Timotei Ursu after an idea by Adrian Dohotaru
- It is the film that brought huge popularity to Geo Costiniu
- Geo Costiniu started his career at the age of 8, acting in television productions
- Filming took place in Brasov and Constanta
QUOTES:
Say it yourself… What’s the point in mourning?
Isn’t there enough water here?
You ask at Melody about me. Everyone knows me, Mr Jorj
I’m not a bad guy though
ARTICLES:
- “September”, by Adina Darian, in Cinema magazine no. 4/1978″
- September – Love like a flower grown from asphalt”, by Narcis Amariei, Fiction magazine no. 95/105 (new series)/June 2024
- The Romanian love story of the 70s. Where can I see the nostalgics “September”, the film made by Timotei Ursu” – adevarul.ro
- The film September, the love story that made Geo Costiniu famous, on TVR 2 – adevarul.ro
This premiere is part of a national archive project supported by the Romanian National Film Centre.
Special thanks goes to the Romanian Filmmakers Union and to the Romanian Film Archive.
