Museum
Buftea Studios
Buftea Studios is a museum.
About Buftea Studios
Overview
Studiourile Buftea, located on the outskirts of Bucharest in the town of Buftea, Ilfov County, stands as one of the most significant film production complexes in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe. Originally established as a state-run institution to serve as the primary center for Romanian cinema, the facility has evolved through various political and economic regimes, from its communist-era inception to its current status as a privatized service provider. The complex is renowned for its extensive history spanning over six decades, having hosted more than 500 feature films and numerous international co-productions. It remains a vital hub for both domestic and foreign audiovisual projects, including major television series and feature films.
History & Founding
The project to construct the Buftea Studios was launched around 1950, initiated by communist leader Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej with the ambition of creating a film production center comparable to those in France or Italy. The initiative was significantly influenced by Gheorghiu-Dej's daughter, Lica, who advocated for modern sets and international-standard technology. Construction began in 1950 on the site of the former Știrbei family estate, an area chosen for its natural scenery including lakes and forests suitable for outdoor sets. The complex was officially inaugurated and became fully functional by 1959, representing a massive state investment designed to provide Romanian cinema with complete production independence from script to projection.
Building & Architecture
Upon completion in 1959, the Buftea complex was considered among the most modern in Eastern Europe, featuring a comprehensive infrastructure designed for full-cycle film production. The facility originally included multiple large sound stages, dedicated sound studios, film development laboratories, workshops for set design, and costume departments. The architecture also incorporated accommodation for film crews and extensive outdoor areas for backlot filming. Over the decades, the physical plant has undergone significant modernization; today, the complex boasts nearly twenty sound stages, indoor filming studios, storage spaces, and state-of-the-art digital post-production equipment, maintaining its status as a fully integrated production city.
Notable Works & Holdings
The studios' 'collection' is defined by its extensive backlot sets and the vast library of productions filmed on its grounds. During its golden age in the 1960s and 1970s, the studios produced iconic Romanian films such as 'The Forest of the Hanged' (1964), 'Dacii' (1966), 'Columna' (1968), and 'Michael the Brave' (1970). In the post-1989 era, the facility hosted major international productions including 'Cold Mountain', 'Amen.' by Costa-Gavras, 'Callas Forever' by Franco Zeffirelli, and the first season of the Netflix series 'Wednesday' directed by Tim Burton. The site also houses specific sets for long-running television productions, such as the house used for the reality show 'Mireasa'.
Significance & Legacy
Buftea Studios holds a pivotal place in the cultural history of Romania, serving as the birthplace of the nation's cinematic identity and a training ground for generations of directors, actors, and technicians. It was instrumental in launching the careers of legendary figures such as Liviu Ciulei, Lucian Pintilie, Mircea Drăgan, and actors like Amza Pellea and Florin Piersic. Despite periods of decline and economic hardship following the 1989 Revolution, the studios have demonstrated resilience, undergoing privatization and modernization to become a key player in the global film industry. Today, it stands as a symbol of cultural continuity, bridging the propaganda-driven cinema of the communist era with the diverse, market-driven productions of the modern age.