Romanian film is to get another outing on foreign soil this weekend, with the University of Michigan hosting the fourth Romanian Film Series in the state. The series will feature four Romanian made films and is part of the wider Romanian American Festival, which seeks to unite people from the two countries in cultural events. The film series, with two showing this weekend and a further two on the November 17 and 18, also includes an appearance by one of the directors.

First up tomorrow is Periferic (Outbound) directed by Bogdan George Aperti, who will introduce the film with a lecture and join a Q&A session after the screening. Periferic is a tough thriller that follows a woman, played by Ana Ularu, on day release from a five prison sentence to attend her mother's funeral. Matilda, innocent of the crime for which she was jailed, has a busy day that includes burying her mother, settling old scores and escaping across the sea on a cargo ship.

On Sunday, Radu Munteanu's Marţi, după Crăciun (Tuesday, after Christmas) will be screened. No director this time, instead Dr Corina Kesler of the University of Michigan will give a talk introducing the film and join in a debate afterward.

The Romanian Film Series continues on November 17 and November 18 with Filantropica (Philanthropy) on Saturday 17 and The Phantom Father ( movie still in picture) on the Sunday. Again, there will be preceding lectures and debates after the screenings.

All four events start at 16:00 in the Helmut Stern Auditorium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Entrance is free, but voluntary donations will be collected.

Find out more on the festival website.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Tatal Fantoma Facebook Page)