The New Year That Never Came Screening and Q&A Session

This weekend, we closed the Romanian Cultural Institute in London’s 2025 programme with a deeply meaningful event, marking 36 years since the Romanian anti-communist Revolution of 1989 through a special screening of "The New Year That Never Came". The film offered a powerful and nuanced reflection on a defining moment in Romania’s recent history, inviting the audience to consider both its historical significance and its continued resonance today. This event was organised in partnership with Floarea din asfalt.

We were honoured to welcome director Bogdan Mureșanu and lead actor Mihai Călin, whose presence enriched the evening and whose thoughtful conversation with journalist and author Alice Nastase Buciuta provided valuable insight into the film’s creative process, historical context, and emotional impact. Their dialogue opened up a wider discussion on memory, responsibility, and the role of cinema in preserving and questioning history.

The evening was opened by Aura Woodward, director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in London, who reflected on the significance of commemorating this anniversary and on the breadth and diversity of the Institute’s cultural programme throughout this year, highlighting the role of dialogue, film, and the arts in fostering understanding of Romania’s contemporary and historical narratives.

Many thanks to our special guests, partners, and audience for joining us in marking this important moment. We are also thankful for the support of Olya Ltd. and Up to Your Door.

Photographs: Alex Coman