Biography for
Sergiu Nicolaescu More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

13 April 1930, Târgu-Jiu, Gorj, Romania

Date of Death

3 January 2013, Bucharest, Romania (cardiopulmonary complications following surgery)

Birth Name

Sergiu Florin Nicolaescu

Nickname

Neamtul
Supravietuitorul
Nemuritorul

Height

6' 0¾" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

Sergiu Nicolaescu was born on the 13th of April 1930, in Targu-Jiu, Romania. In his childhood, he spent a lot of time at the cinema. He was inspired by the films he saw 2 or 3 times, and he played "war" or "mystery" games with 30 fellow kids in the suburbs of his native town. After finishing high school, Nicolaescu was accepted by three colleges. He finally attended the Romanian Marine Corps. His father was an engineer, he worked for King Michael. Therefore, after the King's abdication in 1947, his father was arrested. Nicolaescu entered the realm of cinematography by chance. A friend offered him a job in the Bucharest Studios of that time. He didn't expect a career in directing, but his short poetic movie called Memoria trandafirului earned some attention at the 1962 Cannes Film Festival. In 1967,Dacii (1967) became the first Romanian hit-movie in Western Europe. Subsequently, Nicolaescu was internationally appreciated as a worthwhile historical films director. He had the privilege to work in France, Germany and other countries on several projects in the seventies and eighties. He directed Michael the Brave (1971) and Then I Sentenced Them All to Death (1972), two of the best Romanian movies ever. He also was responsible for such indigenous blockbusters as Nemuritorii (1974),Cu mâinile curate (1972),Noi, cei din linia întîi (1985) and Mircea (1989). Uncle Marin, the Billionaire (1979) is his only comedy to date. After the Romanian Revolution (1989), Nicolaescu became a political figure, but he continued to direct movies. Without the assistance of the military, he couldn't complete as many epics as he did back in the Communist era. Oglinda (1993) and The Death Triangle (1999) were well-received at the box-office. A "Steven Spielberg of the Romanian cinema", Nicolaescu is a self-taught technician and, sometimes, an artist who approached various genres and themes. Indeed, most of his films have an evident commercial tinge, but despite new voices that question his talent, ethics or even his professionalism, Sergiu is still appreciated by most of the Romanian moviegoers.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Cinemaniac

Trivia

Bachelor in Engineering, 1962.

Sergiu Nicolaescu is, probably, the most popular Romanian film director. Anyway, "Mihai Viteazul" (1970) represents the best sold abroad Romanian movie. He was involved in the production of many commercial movies, that's why I would compare him to what is Luc Besson for the French people or Rolland Emmerich for the Germans. However, his technical knowledge was much inspired by the American B-movies and his approach to art films wasn't each time successful. An all-action director, Nicolaescu preffers using real explosives during battle-scenes instead of special effects. Fresher than never, Sergiu Nicolaescu presently works to a TV-series for a local television.

Is rated as the best battle-scenes director in the world: statistics show he uses 70-80 meters of useful shots when the average (for other directors) is 12-15 meters...

Was to do a war movie with California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, but the project was abandoned.

Senator in the Romanian Parliament since 1992.