Palme d’Or Winner ‘Fjord’ Opens Jakarta World Cinema as Cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru Leads Masterclass

Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or winner “Fjord” opened the fifth edition of Jakarta World Cinema at CGV Grand Indonesia.

Dan Adrian Bălănescu, Romania’s ambassador to Indonesia, said he was proud of the film, which is Romania’s submission for the international feature Oscar at the 2027 Academy Awards, and hoped it would speak to local audiences.

“Many critics have criticized and accused the director, Cristian Mungiu, for, as they put it, flirting with conservative ideas. But at the same time, many critics have praised the film for being a courageous critique at the contemporary Western society,” Bălănescu said.

The ambassador went on to cite a Romanian interview in which Mungiu said: “There’s no bravery in making a movie that defends progressive left-wing values. It’s outright provincial and opportunistic.”

Tudor Vladimir Panduru, the film’s cinematographer and the festival’s sole masterclass guest, told the audience that “Fjord” marked his third collaboration with Mungiu after “Graduation” and “R.M.N.,” and the first they had shot outside Romania and in languages other than Romanian – English and Norwegian.

“This film speaks about different values and perspectives in our world. So I think watching this film is important to answer a few questions for yourself, and to understand how to be a better person in the society we live in,” Panduru said.

This year’s Jakarta World Cinema lineup features 207 titles, 102 of which are screening exclusively in theaters. Online streaming began Oct. 6 on KlikFilm. The lineup draws on 69 countries. Of the 207 titles, 120 have won awards at major festivals. Asian cinema accounts for 96 films, women directed 41, and 20 are official entries for the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.

The festival closes Nov. 7 with Thai horror film “Inherit.”