Closer to the Moon, the latest film by famous Romanian director Nae Caranfil, was the big winner of the local Gopo awards gala organized on Monday evening, March 30.

The movie, featuring international stars such as British actor Mark Strong and American actress Vera Farmiga, tells the story of a famous heist on a money van belonging to Romania's central bank, which took place in 1959. The filming took place in some of Bucharest's historical sites such as the Casa Capsa restaurant, Carol Park, as well as in the Old Town.

Closer to the Moon won a total of nine awards, including the three most important trophies of the evening: Best Film, Best Director and Best Script. It also landed the awards for Best Editing, Best Makeup and Best Hairdresser, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music and Best Costumes.

Read a review of the film here.

Andrei Gruzsniczzki’s Quod Erat Demonstrandum (Q.E.D.), which had the most nominations (17), got five awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Florin Piersic Jr.), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ofelia Popii), Best Actor in Supporting Role (Virgil Ogasanu), Best Actress in Supporting Role (Alina Berzunteanu) and Best Scenery (Cristian Niculescu).

Toto si Surorile Lui / Toto and His Sisters, directed by Alexander Nanau, won the Gopo award for Best Documentary.

Romanian director Radu Jude also got his sixth Gopo award in his career, Best Short Fiction, for Trece si Prin Perete / IT Can Pass Through the Wall.

Best European Film award went to La Grande Bellezza, directed by Paolo Sorrentino.

With over 102,000 viewers, Romanian film #Selfie, directed by Cristina Iacob, received the Audience Award.

The Best Debut award went to Vlad Petri for Bucuresti, unde esti? / Bucharest, where are you? documentary, while the Young Hope prize was awarded to Alexandra Carastoian and Boroka Biro for the image in Plansa. The Best Short Documentary award went to O Scurta Istorie / A Brief History, directed by Carmen Lidia Vidu.

Eugenia Bosinceanu received the award for her entire activity, while Coca Bloos got the award for the entire career. A special award was offered to animation director Ion Truica.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Premiile Gopo on Facebook)