What is the best thing that I love about my work? In my work as a screenwriter, director and film producer, I adore the fact that I invite actors to do what they like most, to step into the shoes of new characters, to exercise their creativity, to do what they really love. The same applies to all members of the team, as making a film is a passion for each of us before it is a profession.

What is my idea of happiness? There is a spontaneous happiness that happens in the moment, and is not tied to any preconceived idea of what happiness should be. These things usually happen when you have a relaxed moment with loved ones, when you reunite with friends, when you enjoy nature and your surroundings, or when you achieve a professional success or have a moment of inspiration. But there is also an ideal of happiness that I probably will never attain, because this ideal is influenced by the fateful circumstances we encounter, being subject to the whims of chance.

What is my greatest fear? I don’t generally let fear govern me, but in moments of introspection or clarity, I realize that I am deeply afraid of the idea that after death, I will lose the memories of providential encounters in my life, memories with my dear ones and people who have had a positive impact on me, family and friends, as well as the experiences gained from unfortunate encounters. If that were to happen, to loose all of these memories, life would seem meaningless to me.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I generally tend to use even negative traits to my advantage in what I want to achieve in life, so when I discover them in myself, I analyze them to better construct characters who could possess those traits. I believe that if you lead a balanced existence, none of these characteristics really qualify as a defect. However, I am bothered by the fact that I sometimes develop obsessions, and it also bothers me that I tend to have exaggerated reactions in certain circumstances.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? I have many people in my profession whom I admire wholeheartedly, so it’s quite challenging to choose just one person. Now, let me see. Who should I say? I will definitely swing between Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.

What is my greatest extravagance? My daughter would say that just being myself is an extravagance, but I would say that I haven’t experienced my greatest extravagance yet. However, I possess enough reason and self-awareness to realize that most forms of extravagance are excessive. So, I manage to set my own limit when I go overboard, and yes, I consider it an extravagance that I’ve been able to make independent films, with a minimum budget situation, in my country.

On what occasion would I lie? In any circumstance where, through this questionable gesture, I could manage to salvage appearances. :)) I am joking, but you understand the idea.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? In my work I dislike most, the situations where I discover there is too much scheming compared to my expectations. Often, financial matters become a roadblock, because everything related to cinema requires substantial investments. These limitations sometimes give rise to other ideas, but most of the time they bring emotional stress, restrictions, and delays. Sometimes delays can be auspicious because they give you more time to assess the situation, but other times, a delay is just a delay and nothing more.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I am the happiest in my work, on the film set, during the perfect take. Other precious moments for me occur during the editing process, where I assist my daughter, who is the editor for the projects we work on. Having a successful day in the editing room is another source of joy. Yet, another moment of utmost happiness is when I watch the film with the production team and see the satisfaction on their faces. I am even happier, only after overcoming my nerves, when I’m in the theater with the audience at the premiere, lost in the crowd, sharing a glass of champagne with them, answering their questions about the film, and discovering that sometimes they understand even more about my film than I do. I am happy in this very moment as I respond to these questions, because they are about my work, and everything related to my work makes me happy.

If I could, what would I change about myself? In the larger context, if I could, I would change the fact that I am mortal, and obviously, the fact that I live among mortals. So, if I could change something, I would grant immortality to people. I would also change the fact that I belong to a species that consumes animals and unfortunately contributes significantly to environmental harm. I would reorganize the world a bit, to prevent all these things from happening. From another point of view, much more personal, I would change my behavior at times when, under the influence of environmental conditions, I become a bit harsh. I would work on myself a bit and soften this aspect.

What is my greatest achievement in work? The fact that I have successfully completed four independent films and I am currently in the process of finalizing the fifth, is a significant achievement for me. Launching the book of screenplays ‘The Book with Scenarios’ alongside my mentor, Ioan Cărmăzan, my ability to add value to my collaborations and coach my teammates for excellence are all accomplishments I hold dear. Moreover, the fact that I have managed to involve so many people in my film projects is yet another success, as we have jointly achieved commendable endeavors with notable results. Ultimately, the greatest accomplishments lie in the awards and selections at national and international film festivals earned by the films ‘Rahela’, ‘A Legendary Champion, Marin Mustață’, ‘The game’ and ‘Gloria’.

Where would I most like to live? I really like the place where I currently live. I have a house with a garden that I adore, somewhere near Bucharest, and I share it with my husband, children, and my dear pets, which makes me utterly happy. I would love even more, to live in a mountain cabin, somewhere in Transylvania together with my husband, surrounded by nature. I would also like to live wherever in the world where I could pursue my profession the best.

What is my most treasured possession? Memories with loved ones and the life experience gained through exams and encounters with collaborators and entities that have helped me improve. After family, I believe my films are the most precious, followed by the screenplays and the paintings I have created.

What is my most marked characteristic? I assume that the tenacity I have shown since I was a child is my defining characteristic. Whenever I start something, I see it through to the end, following a mysterious path step by step and idea by idea. This tenacity that accompanies me along the way, helps me reach the finish line. Ultimately, I believe my tenacity creates that mysterious realm from which my ideas spring.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The most beautiful area in the city is located near the Royal Palace and Victory Avenue. The historic center of Bucharest is the most concentrated in terms of culture and civilization, where you can find the most museums, as well as restaurants and cafes.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? There’s a place called ”Pustnicu House”, located in the suburbs of Bucharest. Over time, I’ve spent memorable moments there with my parents, friends, spouse, and children, making it quite a familiar place. Traditional Romanian food is served there. Otherwise, I enjoy eating almost anywhere in the city, I’m not very picky in that regard.

What books influenced my life and how? Following the paradigm of the great literary masters, who have inspired you countless times, negative influences no longer affect you to such a great extent. I can personally say that books saved me from a mediocre existence. Here are just a few examples, and I regret that I can’t name them all: Radu Tudoran – ‘The Prodigal Son’, Cella Serghi – ‘Spider Web’, Lucian Blaga – ‘The Trilogy of Culture’, ‘The Trilogy of Knowledge’, Mircea Eliade – ‘Maitreyi’ and I find absolutely surprising all of Eliade’s short stories. Mihai Eminescu is our national poet, which is why I learned his poem ‘Lucifer’ and others as well by heart for school, so it marked a significant part of my dreams and experiences. I adore Camil Petrescu for his plays, as he is a very important playwrighter in Romanian literature, and ‘A Venetian Act’ had a profound impact on me.
If I had to choose just one from world literature, I would definitely pick William Shakespeare, as I had to memorize his works on multiple occasions for school exams, and it’s evident that I became attached to them and they influenced me greatly. My favorites are ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Hamlet’, ”The Taming of the Shrew”’, ”A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Certainly, I was influenced by ‘Legends of Olympus’ by Alexandru Mitru, ‘The Iliad’ and ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer, ‘Don Quixote’ by Miguel de Cervantes’, ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ by Victor Hugo, ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ by Ernest Hemingway, ‘Les Illusions Perdues’ by Honoré de Balzac, ‘The Republic’ by Plato and the Sylvia Plath’s poems, whose existence I learned about from the biographical film ‘Sylvia’, directed by Christine Jeffs, with Gwyneth Paltrow in the lead role; after seeing the movie, I got to read her poems.

And, of course, I can’t help but like Stephen King’s novels, some of which have been adapted into successful films.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Probably, I would create a potpourri of songs that evoke different periods of my life. If it’s related to my childhood, I would listen to hits sung by artists from my country, such as Maria Tănase, Angela Similea, I would listen to musical pieces from Ravel’s ‘Boléro’, Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ and passages from Mozart, because my mother was playing them for me. I would listen to the songs ‘Self Control’ by Laura Branigan and ‘Love Is a Stranger’ by Eurythmics, because we used to play them in the car on our way to the seaside, together with my parents. Then, I would listen to Sade, Gipsy Kings, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Bryan Adams – ‘Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?’, because they marked my adolescence and the beggining of the relationship with my husband. I used to listen to George Michael while I was pregnant, especially the song ‘Jesus to a Child’. I would listen to Christmas carols, both international and from my country, because I enjoy them every year, with my family.
I’d also listen to Lana Del Rey, but just because I like her music, not necessarily for a specific period.
Certainly, I would also listen to Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald – ‘Summertime’, ‘It’s Only A Paper Moon’ and Aretha Franklin – ‘I Say A Little Prayer’, for my own enjoyment. For sure, I would definitely love listening to a hit that would play on the radio during that period of time. I would also listen to music composed specifically for my films by Paul Teodorescu, because it would bring back the time when I worked on my movies and I consider it genius. But, without a doubt, I would conclude with the song ‘Besame Mucho’.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Vitoria Lipan is a character significant in Romanian literature, from the novel ”Baltagul” by Mihail Sadoveanu, and has become a defining character in Romanian cinema, through the homonymous adaptation by director Mircea Mureșan, where the character is portrayed by Spanish actress Margarita Lozano. I also fell in love with the character ‘Martha’, portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ directed by Mike Nichols, an adaptation of the play written by author Edward Albee. I deliberately chose these examples, as there are many more, but they make up a broader palette of characters. In painting, I have always been impressed by the face of the Mona Lisa, which I was fortunate enough to see in person at the Louvre Museum.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? In various stages of life, I’ve had role models for activities during those times. However, without a doubt, here I will be extremely subjective, and the heroes in my life are, first and foremost, my grandparents, my parents and my sister, as well as my husband and children. I also have two Queens very dear to my heart. Two major historical figures have profoundly influenced me, one of whom I had the blessing to be contemporary with, and that is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, to whom I am deeply emotionally attached. Queen Marie, who left her mark on the history of the Romanians and, despite coming from two royal houses unrelated to my country, she loved this land as it actually became her own, and Romanians loved her in return.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? I don’t believe in this idea, that one book or one movie can define you. I can’t take a single work as a universal panacea. So, I’ll only provide these names as indicative titles, because there are so many important films to watch, that one lifetime isn’t enough: Steven Spielberg’s ‘Artificial Intelligence’, Jeannot Szwarc’s ‘Somewhere in Time’, Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’, Vincent Ward’s ‘What Dreams May Come’, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rebecca’, Andrei Tarkovsky’s ‘The Sacrifice’, Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’, Sergiu Nicolaescu’s ‘The Doom’, Victor Iliu’s ‘At the Mill’, Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and Martin Scorsese’s version of the same story, ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’. Currently, I’m watching the series ‘Ozark,’ which impresses me enough to recommend it as a must-watch in one’s lifetime.

What role play stories in my life and work? Stories play a central role in all of our lives. We are simultaneously the protagonists, antagonists, victims, and victors of our own stories. In terms of my career, the narrative is pivotal because it serves as the starting point for everything I undertake, and the outcome is clearly linked to how well I stick to the story I set out with. So, without a doubt, storytelling plays a crucial role both in my life and in my career.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? This phrase ambivalently creates in me a sense of uniqueness and individuality, but on the other hand, it shows that I am actually a part of a whole that often shares the same story. Yes, there exists a paradigm in this story, called the story of a human being. In fact, our stories are often quite similar, with differentiation occurring only in chapters, and this differentiation is rooted in circumstances of the moment.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

The first ones were my mother, who introduced me to universal culture because she had an incredible intellectual background, and my father, who was a performer in sports and instilled in me the idea of invincibility through his personal example.

But now, without a doubt, it’s about my husband.

With whom I share the same story for over thirty years.

We also work together on film projects, so we are connected both romantically and professionally.

Also, I collaborate on film projects with my daughter, who works as an editor and assistant, so in many ways, we are partners as well; and, my son, who is incredibly intelligent and with whom I can discuss anything in the world.

Which people or companies would I like to work with ? I would love to work together with Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. I would also be interested in working for any major film company in the United States, or a company from my own country that collaborates with the United States because, in my field, America represents the epitome of the film industry. We must acknowledge that in the realm of cinematography, especially in the ‘production’ department, they are the best. Of course, I adore Italian cinema during its golden period when Federico Fellini and Antonioni created European cinematic masterpieces. Currently, I greatly admire Paolo Sorrentino, especially for his film ‘La Grande Belezza’, for which I even took an exam during college, and, of course, I have watched it multiple times, and of course I earned a perfect score. :)) There are also other European countries where cinema thrives, such as England, Spain, France, the Nordic countries and the list could go on, and any co-production in the film industry with any of these countries would be incredibly appealing to me. I recognize that I don’t have time to waste, and I would enthusiastically welcome any offer in this regard.

What project am I looking forward to work on? We are in the post-production process, and I am about to finalize a film project that I am eagerly looking forward to releasing. I also have many projects in the pipeline, including several scripts I’ve worked on, waiting to go into production. Additionally, I have some ideas that I believe are worth turning into scripts. Otherwise, I want to better explore my passion for painting and eventually launch myself through an event in this
aspect of my activities. Currently, painting is just a studio domain for me.

Where can you see me or my work? You can find me on all social media platforms where I casually showcase my work at all stages, even when it’s in the work-in-progress phase. But, of course, you can see me at movie premieres, book launches, and also on YouTube.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? You can never really retire from an activity you pursue with all your passion, so there’s no way to retire when you’re an artist. Because this form of energy never dies.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Yvonne Stavarache
Lara Roxana Popa
Roxana Condurache
Mariana Liurca
Dragos Onisei
Mihail Alexandru Stavarache

How can you contact me?

You can contact me on:
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olimpia-stavarache-81a574190/?trk=people_directory&originalSubdomai
n=ro
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olimpia.stavarache.31
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olimpiastavarachemustata/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFFCU1fiAFjRMsWgAC9jfqQ
https://www.youtube.com/@olimpiastavarache9875/videos
Gmail: olimpiastavarache18@gmail.com