Igor Cobileanski, Daniel Mitulescu

Miracles

Extraordinary stories in Southeast Europe raise questions about what a miracle is, how it can influence our ordinary life, and, ultimately, who we are as humans today.

SYNOPSIS

MIRACLES features eight episodes that depict various extraordinary events: a madman building a flying saucer to escape a mental institution, a woman attempting to save her daughter by stealing the miraculous tears of an icon, a priest who self-mutilates to seek redemption, a convict playing the role of Judas and facing consequences, a priest misguidedly satisfying his community's desires by resorting to illicit means, a pregnant woman undergoing a mystical experience, a small humanoid creature invading an older woman's home, and a priest uncovering the secrets of confession. Inspired by true events.

CREATORS
Igor Cobileanski
Daniel Mitulescu

DIRECTOR/WRITER
Igor Cobileanski

PRODUCER
Daniel Mitulescu

PRODUCTION COMPANY
Metropolis Film

COUNTRIES
Romania
Moldova

FORMAT
40' x 8

GENRE
Comedy
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Mystery

Igor Cobileanski

IGOR COBILEANSKI (1974) was born in the Republic of Moldova. In 1995 he graduated from The Academy of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, Romania (UNATC). He is known for his viral shorts, including WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT (2006), SASA, GRISA SI ION (2006), INSPIRATION (2007), and THE FLAVOURS COLLECTION (2013). His first feature film, THE UNSAVED (2013), co-written with the accomplished Romanian director Corneliu Porumboiu, garnered significant recognition at festivals and received the FIPRESCI Award at the Cottbus International Film Festival 2013, as well as the Gopo Award for Best First Feature Film in 2014. His second feature film, EASTERN BUSINESS (2016), earned Best Script and Best Actor accolades at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Since 2014, he has collaborated with HBO Europe, directing the series UMBRE (2014-2016) and HACKERVILLE (2018), which received the Grimme Awards for Best Director, Best Main Actors, Best Producers, and Best Music.

I have always been intrigued by the spiritual dimension and the subtle mysteries accompanying daily life, the inexplicable situations, and the blurred line between scientific reasoning and mystical thought. My interest lies not in religious dogma or the conflicts between atheism, faith, and fanaticism but rather in understanding the mechanisms that lead individuals to different interpretations and relationships with the events they encounter, shaped by the patterns they have internalised. Living in the Balkan region, where traditions, superstitions, and myths have permeated the collective consciousness, I find it fascinating to observe people's behaviours and beliefs, ranging from seemingly mundane gestures like avoiding entering a house due to superstitions to the development of literature and the passage of legends to future generations, particularly in rural areas. In Moldova, people queue for days to touch the relics of a saint, while Transylvania is known for its stories about Dracula, and various myths explain natural phenomena. In certain villages, rituals are still performed to ward off creatures like ghouls (strigoi), and opinions on such matters are always divided. This controversy is intriguing to follow, as it sheds light on how a mystical dimension is either preserved or gradually diminished over time. If I were to summarise the essence of this project, I would refer to Albert Einstein's profound statement, which greatly resonates with my artistic and existential quest: There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Interestingly, a recent study titled Religion Among the Millennials reveals that 80% of Americans and 59% of Britons believe in miracles, irrespective of their religious affiliations.

CREATOR’S STATEMENT

Daniel Mitulescu

DANIEL MITULESCU, after completing studies in Madrid, initially worked for the Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 before becoming a production assistant on his brother Catalin's short film TRAFFIC, awarded with Palme d’Or in Cannes. Catalin’s feature debut, THE WAY I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD (2006), which premiered at the official selection in Cannes, was his first feature film as a producer. He followed this with Florin Serban’s IF I WANT TO WHISTLE, I WHISTLE (2010), awarded with the Silver Bear and Alfred Bauer Award in Berlinale and his brother’s second feature LOVERBOY (2011), which screened at the official selection in Cannes. He has been involved as a producer in more than nine feature films, three short films, and four documentaries, many of which are international co-productions that have received prestigious awards in renowned film festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, Karlovy Vary, and others. Also, he is focused on developing projects for the international market with non-Romanian directors and scriptwriters. Besides his activity as a producer, he has done film distribution and released Romanian and independent arthouse films. He is organising the Metropolis Open-Air Cinema caravan (eleven editions) in Romania’s largest cities. He is the director of the first International Children Film Festival in Romania, Kinodiseea (fourteen editions) and Balkanik Bucharest World Music Festival (nine editions). He teaches at the University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest and is a member of the ACE (Ateliers du Cinéma Européen) and European Film Academy.

Production company profile

METROPOLIS FILM, founded by Daniel Mitulescu, originally as a distribution company, aims to produce arthouse films with commercial potential, documentaries, and TV series with international potential.

Where are we at?

ESTIMATED PRODUCTION BUDGET FOR THE FIRST SEASON
2.400.000 EUR

FINANCING IN PLACE
180.000 EUR

Production timeline

AUTUMN 2023
Shooting the pilot

2024-2025
Shooting rest of the episodes

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The Amazons of Istanbul