At 5pm on a Saturday night in the Romanian capital, I just accidentally tore my dress.
But in a country still searching for true universal role models to inspire hope, changing your evening dress felt like the least important thing in the world.
why? That’s because the yellow carpet was laid out in keeping with the title of the movie, “The Yellow Tie,” which became the talk of the town and brought Hollywood celebrities to the streets of Bucharest.
John Malkovich, Sean Bean, Tim Burton. One by one, they arrived and were greeted with loud applause from the crowd of well-wishers who had gathered.
At 5:20 p.m., I went live on Euronews Romania to cover the event. For two hours, the broadcast felt like a journalist’s dream. It was an extraordinary team effort that only those who work in television can truly understand.
It was surreal watching Hollywood stars walk the yellow carpet at Sara Paratului. A little twist in history to learn that the same hall once hosted a Communist Party congress in the gray days of another era. The reason I was there tonight was a movie – a movie about Romanians.
That night, as I felt, was a night of victory. I realized how deeply we need great, talented people whose stories need to be told in order for audiences to truly connect.
yellow tie This is a film about a country and a story about a country. I say this with journalistic sincerity. 4,300 people filled the hall for the premiere of the film about a Romanian orchestra conductor who conquered the world’s great stages, including Berlin, Buenos Aires, Philadelphia and Bucharest.
Made in Romania
Serge Celibidacke came from an unknown small town and achieved worldwide fame. Many Romanians probably never thought they would one day see his story brought to life on the silver screen by world-class actors like John Malkovich and Sean Bean. But I was there. I felt it, heard it, and captured it on camera.
The film also stars many other acclaimed actors, including Oscar nominee Miranda Richardson, Ben Schnetzer, Kate Phillips, and Charlie Rowe.
This is all I can say about Adela Celebidaci, the producer of this film. It’s rare to find someone so completely immersed in the joy of filmmaking. While being graceful, you also have an uncanny knack for organization. We may think we know what it takes to get a film released, but for my country, Romania, a film about a Romanian needs to convey a message strong enough for the whole world to take notice, preferably with love.
Another moment that really touched my heart was when Serge Serebidaci, the film’s director and the son of the great conductor, said on the yellow carpet that the premiere was just the beginning of the journey. Seven years in the making was just the beginning.
More than 300 people worked on the film every day, and it was shot entirely in Romania. Every step of Serge Celibidache’s international life has been recreated here with a total budget of 20 million euros, assembled by producer Adela Celibidache. No small feat in a country where faith in the power of culture is fragile.
The film was released in Romanian cinemas on November 14th, and the reaction at the premiere was very emotional from both the audience and the stars. As a journalist, I felt a strong wave of pride. Not just the Romanians, but actors like Malkovich and Biehn, cinematographer Peter Menzies Jr., co-writer James Olivier, and all the people who understood the importance of this film.
In an interview with Euronews Romania, director Serge Celebidaci said, “First and foremost, I think this is a heartfelt movie. It might surprise people. A lot of people would expect a biopic, something more elitist, but from the beginning I… Our goal was to create something more approachable and more universal. That was the idea: to leave all the necessary references, and of course to use plenty of music, but to step out of the realm of the intellectual or elitist.”
Actress Kate Phillips also felt that sentiment deeply, saying, “I think people will be truly moved and inspired by this film. It’s an incredible story of survival and a celebration of staying true to life and your beliefs.”
Meeting with Markovich
It’s hard for me to even begin to describe John Malkovich. But I have to take this opportunity to write about my interview with him. He has been my favorite actor in the world since I was a teenager. And at the end of the second interview, I told him that. But believe me. Great actors like him humble you as a journalist. He speaks in that wonderful tone, the voice of a craftsman, with precision and depth in every word. You just sit there, breathless, waiting for the next question to become important.
“I’m honored and very happy to be asked to play this role.” yellow tie “This work presents a complete portrait of a man of great talent and integrity who fought bravely for what he believed in. I think it’s great for Romania to see someone who has succeeded in the world because of his talent, his vision and the passion with which he pursued it,” Markovic said. You don’t see many movies like this. ”
What touched me most was his joy, his joy in playing Serge Celibidache. For a country that still has a communist past, yellow tie And the presence of those actors is truly a kind of comfort.
yellow tie This is more than just a Romanian movie. This is a movie about what power by example means on a global level.
Please read about the life of Serge Celibidache. He is a great example of our dreams. A simple man with immense talent who never gave up. He fought, endured, and won. That is probably the most beautiful message any of us can accept as a way of life.
And don’t miss yellow tie. It is a moving testament to talent, courage, perseverance, and success.