A new documentary by British filmmaker Samuel Supple offers a fresh perspective on Romania, a nation poised for increased attention following its recent inclusion in the Schengen Area.[[1]] The film, now available on YouTube, explores the country through the eyes of both a newcomer adn its residents, highlighting a landscape and culture often overlooked by international tourism. Supple’s journey delves into Romania’s complex history and emerging identity, showcasing its contrasts and untapped potential.
British filmmaker Samuel Supple recently explored Romania, documenting his journey in a new video released on YouTube. Supple’s approach focused on experiencing the country through the eyes of both an outsider and the people who call it home.
Samuel (left) discovered the beauty of Romania often overlooked by locals. PHOTO: Video Capture
Supple presents Romania as a destination on the cusp of a tourism boom, coinciding with its recent entry into the Schengen Area and a renewed appreciation for its cultural and natural heritage. The film arrives as Romania seeks to further establish itself as a must-see destination for international travelers.
“Welcome to Romania. It’s a country that’s been described to me as a land of beauty and mystery,” Supple says at the beginning of the film. “It hasn’t been very high on many people’s lists, but that might be about to change,” he adds, hinting at the country’s untapped tourism potential.
Bucharest and the Legacy of Communism
Table of Contents
Supple’s journey began in Bucharest, Romania’s capital and largest city. He portrays Bucharest as a city of contrasts, dominated by the Palace of the Parliament, a symbol of the communist era. “Every building is completely different. You wonder who lived here and what happened within these walls,” the filmmaker observes.
To delve deeper into the history of its construction, he spoke with Bucharest journalist Bogdan Miracă, who lived through the communist period. “You didn’t have access to information. All the newspapers were controlled by the state. You didn’t know what was really happening,” Miracă explained. He added that the massive demolitions ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu were hidden from the public: “Maybe only if you had a relative who told you, ‘they moved us to build this.’”
Transfăgărășan: Ambition and Madness
The journey continued along the Transfăgărășan Highway, one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe. “It smells more like a roller coaster than a road,” Supple remarked, visibly impressed.
A local guide provided details about the project’s origins, revealing why dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu commissioned this road, now admired by tourists. “Ceaușescu built the road out of fear, after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Thousands of kilograms of dynamite were used,” the guide told him. Following this information, the filmmaker ironically concluded: “For more than half the year, the road is inaccessible. It’s no wonder it’s called ‘Ceaușescu’s Madness.’”
Transylvania, Beyond Dracula
Upon arriving in Transylvania, Supple debunked the clichés surrounding the infamous Count Dracula. “The author Bram Stoker never set foot in Romania, but the legend continues to attract millions of tourists,” he stated.
In contrast to the commercial souvenirs, the region’s true history is preserved in its fortified churches. Volunteer Diana Opriș shared details about these structures, explaining that they were built in Romania during the Middle Ages: “We have a lot of fortified churches. They date back to the 13th–14th centuries and were built for defense.”
Regarding her decision to stay in the country, she said: “I think it’s important for some of us to stay. There’s a lot of work to be done to save what we have.”
Bears and the Lesson of Coexistence
A dedicated segment focused on brown bears, a symbol of the Carpathian Mountains. At one of the bear sanctuaries in Transylvania, Cristina Lapiș, the center’s founder, discussed the fragile relationship between humans and animals and the narrowing line that separates them: “If bears have food and space, they don’t fight each other. Nature knows how to be balanced.”
Her story was marked by the tragedy of a bear held in a cage for years: “Maya died in my arms. I promised her that no other bear would ever live in such conditions.”
Regarding incidents between people and animals, Cristina warned that they are inevitable as long as people enter the bears’ territory in the forests: “When you enter the forest, you take a risk. Not just with bears. We can’t live alone, we have to share this space.”
The Danube Delta, a Paradise at the Edge of Europe
At the end of the documentary, the filmmaker reached the Danube Delta. The landscapes there filled him with awe and led him to describe the area as “a natural miracle you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.”
“I expected a country still marked by communism. What I didn’t expect to see was this wild beauty,” he confessed.
A local from the Delta told him: “It’s hard to find this peace anywhere else.”
In conclusion, the filmmaker summarized his experience in Romania in two sentences: “In Romania, you feel like you’re at the beginning of a new story. It has been through a difficult history, but now it’s ready to show the world what makes it unique.”
Who is Samuel Supple?
Samuel Supple is a British film and television director and producer, best known for his work in short artistic films and documentary projects. Supple has directed films such as Magwitch (2012) and Time Bleeds (2013), short films that have earned him recognition at festivals and awards for directing and production.
With over a decade of experience in the film industry, he has collaborated with major British media institutions, including the BBC, where he has contributed to various projects, from documentaries to factual television and drama. His professional experience places him among the acclaimed young British directors in the film community, and his films have been presented at numerous international festivals and have attracted the attention of specialist critics.
