BIO
Călin Laur (b. 1992) is a passionate and dedicated film director based in Chisinau, Moldova. He graduated from Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts, Multimedia Department, Film Directing (2017) and has a Master Degree in Documentary Film Directing. He has worked on several international film projects as 1AD and 1PA. Călin was the Pitch winner at Moldox Film Festival 2017, Inspirational Workshop, observer at Balkan Documentary Center Workshop (2018) and winner of 48h Film Challenge (2019). His diploma short fiction ”Casa Mare” attended various international Film festivals. Călin’s first feature film just got funded for development from the local National Film Center (CNC).
POJECT The Poor Dove
1986. “Perestroika” is in full swing in the Moldavian Soviet Republic. Budianu, a young journalist from Chisinau, tracks down the most acclaimed singer of folk music, Maria Drăgan. Without leaving a trace behind, she exiled herself in her God-forgotten home village. Poor and deranged, marginalized for smoking and drinking, she is taking care of her blind mother and fighting with the elder brother. Why has she collapsed so dramatically?
Based on Maria’s last interview and on lately discovered tape testimonials, the movie reveals the tragic life and end of a very talented singer who will be later called ”the legend of Moldovan folk music”. Maria Drăgan, a controversial woman, admired for her unique voice, but punished for her free-spirit, was destined for peril. Her story today echoes universal questions of rise and fall, freedom and repression.
