Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or-winning film “Fjord” opened the fifth edition of Jakarta World Cinema at CGV Grand Indonesia. The screening marked the festival’s launch, with Romanian ambassador to Indonesia Dan Adrian Bălănescu expressing pride in the film and hope that it would connect with local audiences.
Bălănescu noted that “Fjord” is Romania’s submission in the international feature category for the 2027 Academy Awards. He also addressed the film’s contrasting critical reception: some critics have accused Mungiu of engaging with conservative ideas, while others have praised the work as a bold critique of contemporary Western society.
The film’s cinematographer, Tudor Vladimir Panduru, was the festival’s sole masterclass guest. He said “Fjord” is his third collaboration with Mungiu, following “Graduation” and “R.M.N.” It is also their first project filmed outside Romania and in languages other than Romanian, using English and Norwegian.
Panduru described the film as a work about different values and perspectives and encouraged audiences to consider the questions it raises about life in society and personal responsibility.
This year’s Jakarta World Cinema lineup includes 207 titles from 69 countries. A total of 102 films are screening exclusively in theaters, while online streaming began Oct. 6 on KlikFilm. The program includes 120 films that have won awards at major festivals, 96 Asian films, 41 directed by women and 20 official entries in the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.
The festival is scheduled to close Nov. 7 with the Thai horror film “Inherit.”
Sources: Variety.