After last year’s events dedicated to the anniversary of Constantin Brâncuși, Jidvei returns to Paris, this time on the occasion of a Radu Jude retrospective hosted by the prestigious Centre Pompidou. The filmmaker’s 28 films will be presented to the Parisian public, accompanied by the limited edition of only 5,000 bottles of Vinars Jidvei XO.
Below, the producer’s press release (note: vinars is the Romanian term for wine distillate):
Jidvei launches Vinars XO in Paris, in a world premiere, on the occasion of the Radu Jude retrospective hosted by the Centre Pompidou and mk2 Bibliothèque
For the first time in the history of the prestigious Centre Pompidou, one of Europe’s most important landmarks for contemporary art and auteur cinema, the complete works of a Romanian director are being presented in a full retrospective. Under the title Radu Jude, “cinéaste intranquille”, the program brings together 28 films created over two decades, offering a comprehensive panorama of the style and themes that have established him as one of the major voices of contemporary European cinema.
At the same time, it brings back into focus the deep cultural relationship between Romania and France – a thread woven over time by figures such as Brâncuși, Eliade, Cioran, or Ionesco, and which today is expressed through a vibrant, restless, and ethical cinematic language.
The Centre Pompidou strengthens its cultural dialogue with Romania through this celebration that places Radu Jude among the great international creators. The Pompidou retrospective confirms the maturity of an artistic phenomenon: Romanian cinema, now one of the most fertile and innovative cultural expressions in Eastern Europe.
For nearly three weeks, the Parisian public will be able to watch, in full and in chronological order, the entire body of work of Radu Jude: from bold debuts to visual essays, metacinema, and documentaries.
Vinars Jidvei XO: a tribute to values that stand the test of time
In honor of this historic moment, Jidvei brings a symbolic tribute: the international, premiere launch of Vinars XO – a collector’s item that speaks of values that resonate on the world stage: tradition, excellence, and continuity.
Vinars Jidvei XO is a noble double-distilled spirit, made exclusively from the native variety Fetească Regală. Crafted according to a refined recipe that blends the elegance of French wine distillates with authentic Romanian spirit, this vinars is aged for nearly a decade in handcrafted Transylvanian oak barrels. The result: a unique expression of local craftsmanship, patience, and identity.
Produced in a limited edition of only 5,000 bottles, each individually numbered, Vinars Jidvei XO has already been awarded the Gold Medal at the 2024 Berlin International Spirits Awards, debuting in Paris not only as a product, but as a cultural statement.
“We chose Paris for this launch because our connection with the Centre Pompidou is no coincidence – last year we celebrated another Romanian personality together, Constantin Brâncuși, and now we are honoring the work of Radu Jude. Together, we move forward.
If France has Armagnac, we have Vinars: a distillate with Transylvanian roots, elevated to the level of art by Mariana Mărginean, the calm voice who learned to listen to wine and one of the few women in Romania specialized in distillates. The international launch of Vinars XO in Paris marks a double recognition – of Romanian culture.” — Ana Necșulescu, Communications Director, Jidvei.
An Author. A Phenomenon. Inspiration for a New Generation.
“We are what we do over time and what we accept as part of ourselves.” — Radu Jude
The Radu Jude retrospective is both a source of inspiration and an invitation toward the future: for the coming generations, for film schools, for an infrastructure that needs investment and support in order for this journey to continue. If Jude defines the present, it is because there is a broader foundation that allows Romanian cinema not only to win awards but also to remain relevant on a global scale.
In this context, Radu Jude remains the most visible figure. Winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlinale (Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, 2021) and the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay (Kontinental ’25, 2025), Jude has established himself as a singular voice of European cinema, recognized for his artistic courage and for turning film into a critical instrument of society.
His films capture the tension between memory and the present, deconstruct official history, and dissect individual responsibility. Beyond the artistic dimension, Jude often speaks about the role of education as a cultural foundation: “the purpose of education should be to achieve the most complex possible understanding of the world.” In this sense, his creations become a form of visual pedagogy addressed to both the audience and society — an invitation to think with greater clarity and empathy about the reality in which we live.
Wine in Paris. A Journal of Romanian Culture — from Constantin Brâncuși to Radu Jude
Beyond the film frames and the vinars notes, this moment will be lived, narrated, and documented in real time by journalists Amalia Enache and Florin Negruțiu, in a mini-editorial series exploring Romanian culture in Paris. The tasting of Jidvei XO Vinars at the mk2 Library, public reactions, guest dialogues, and exclusive interviews will weave together a story of atmosphere that captures the spirit and emotion of a historic moment.
Between September 22–24, Jidvei signs a personal and cultural chronicle about how Romania rediscovers its echo in Paris — from Brâncuși and Ionesco to Radu Jude.
The retrospective takes place between September 23 – October 11, 2025, at the Centre Pompidou and mk2 Bibliothèque, Paris. It is organized in collaboration with Météore Films and The Film Gallery, in partnership with Les Éditions de l’Œil, FIDMarseille, and Festival La Rochelle Cinéma, with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute and the Embassy of Romania in Paris.
About Jidvei
With over 1,000 international medals and a position among the Top 100 global producers of premium wines and spirits, Jidvei confirms that Romania is and will remain the Land of Wine — both at home and on the European stage.
The brand unites a winemaking tradition of over 75 years with technological innovation and expertise passed down through generations, being present at major European cultural and diplomatic events — from the Centre Pompidou in Paris and La Fenice Theatre in Venice to the Cannes Film Festival.
Jidvei is the largest producer of wines with Protected Designation of Origin (D.O.C. Jidvei) in Romania and owns the most extensive single-owner vineyard estate in Europe — 2,500 hectares in the heart of Transylvania.
