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Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord Debuts at Cannes With Strong Reviews

The Romanian auteur presents a provocation on state power inspired by real cases.

Overview

  • Fjord premiered in the Cannes competition to positive early notices that cast it as a serious Palme d'Or contender.
  • The story tracks a devout evangelical couple who relocate to Norway and see a child-protection inquiry escalate into placement proceedings.
  • Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve lead the cast, with the Norway shoot using a small fjord town to stress clashes between private faith and social-service norms.
  • Mungiu says cinema must remain polemical and he rejects making films to please any side, urging a debate over the reach of progressive institutions.
  • He cites real cases and his upbringing under Nicolae Ceaușescu as influences, and a French theatrical release is scheduled for August 2026.