This adaptation of the eponymous book by contemporary Romanian writer Lavinia Braniște is produced by Velvet Moraru through Icon Production.
The script written by Ioana Moraru tells the story of a 30-year-old woman, Cristina, who tries to understand life through the eyes of her mother, her lovers and the Bucharest jungle in which she lives.
The novelty comes from Jebeleanu’s decision to combine the illusion of realism with a self-reflexive discourse on the relationship between text, actors and filmmakers, and to use three actresses for the main character.
Valentina Zaharia, Cristina Drăghici and Cendana Trifan play Cristina, and the cast includes Katia Pascariu, Alexandru Potocean, Emilian Oprea, Cristian Popa, Vlad Udrescu, Yann Verburgh, Irina Movilă, Dana Rogoz and Ada Galeş.
Velvet Moraru, whose company Icon Production broke through with Andrei Ujică’s essay The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceaușescu / Autobiografia lui Nicolae Ceaușescu, and who also produced Poppy Field, told FNE that what attracts her in working with Jebeleanu is “his curiosity, devotion and diligence for each of his projects”. She also said that what she found inspiring in this particular project was the voice of the main character that she enjoyed enormously in Lavina Braniște’s book.
The budget is approximately 900,000 EUR and the Romanian Film Centre (CNC) supported the production with approximately 200,000 EUR / 1 m RON. Cinema City, Publicis Groupe and MMS Communications Romania are also supporting the project.
The film was shot in 21 days from 4 September to 4 October 2023 in Bucharest and its surroundings by Romanian cinematographer Marius Panduru, especially known for his collaboration with Radu Jude. Cătălin Cristuţiu, also known from Radu Jude’s films, is currently editing the film.
Internal Zero will be finished in June 2024 with the premiere set for 2025.
Production Information:
Producer:
Icon Production (Romania)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Credits:
Director: Eugen Jebeleanu
Scriptwriter: Ioana Moraru
DoP: Marius Panduru
Editor: Cătălin Cristuţiu
Production designer: Mălina Ionescu
Costume designer: Velica Panduru
Cast: Valentina Zaharia, Cristina Drăghici, Cendana Trifan, Katia Pascariu, Alexandru Potocean, Emilian Oprea, Cristian Popa, Vlad Udrescu, Yann Verburgh, Irina Movilă, Dana Rogoz, Ada Galeş
