Romanian Film 'Traffic' Achieves International Acclaim Ahead of Domestic Release

The Romanian film "Traffic," directed by Teodora Ana Mihai and written by Cristian Mungiu, is set to premiere in Romanian cinemas on September 23, 2025. The film has already garnered significant international recognition, securing the Grand Prix at the Warsaw International Film Festival in 2024 and the Best Balkan Film award at the Sofia International Film Festival in 2025. Furthermore, "Traffic" has been selected as Romania's official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Inspired by the audacious art heist that occurred in October 2012 at the Kunsthal museum in Rotterdam, "Traffic" delves into the story of seven valuable paintings, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, and Gauguin, which were stolen in a daring operation. The artworks, valued in the tens of millions of euros, have not been recovered, with one suspect's mother having claimed to have burned them.

Director Teodora Ana Mihai explores themes of forced migration and precarious working conditions through the narrative of Natalia, portrayed by Anamaria Vartolomei, and Ginel, played by Ionuț Niculae. This young Romanian couple's journey to Western Europe in search of a better life is marked by hardship and exploitation, ultimately leading to their entanglement in the infamous art heist.

Cristian Mungiu, a celebrated filmmaker, noted that while the 2012 incident served as a starting point, the characters and plot are fictionalized to examine broader societal issues. He highlighted the film's focus on how Romanians perceive their treatment abroad and the contrasting values of art versus the daily struggles for survival.

The film's international accolades also include the Best Actress Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival for Anamaria Vartolomei and the Audience Award in Shanghai, further building anticipation for its domestic release. Forum Film is handling the distribution of "Traffic" across Romania.