How Sebastian Stan Finally Brought Hollywood to His Homeland With Romanian Festival Hopeful ‘A River’s Gaze’

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It’s hard to imagine Sebastian Stan fighting for any part in Hollywood.

The Academy Award nominee has demonstrated an ability to excel in both highbrow independent films, such as “The Apprentice” and “A Different Man”, and commercially successful blockbusters, like his ongoing role as Marvel’s Bucky Barnes (upcoming in “Thunderbolts”). In simpler terms, he can perform just as well in art-house movies as he does in big-budget productions.

Stan, born in Constanța, Romania, has longed for his professional life to return to his homeland and spotlight local talent. For nearly 15 years, he’s been searching for the perfect Romanian script for an acting role. Now, he’s found his opportunity as a producer on “A River’s Gaze,” a drama set in Romania directed by Andreea Bortun.

Stan shares that the story holds personal resonance, as it mirrors his own upbringing. His mother, Georgeta, nurtured him through various countries while carving out her unique artistic and academic journey. Bortun, whose creations interweave anthropology and visual art, has already garnered acclaim with short films that have graced festivals such as Cannes; this year, her collaboration with Stan is under consideration for the same festival.

The movie ‘A River’s Gaze’ follows Lavinia, a mother of a 14-year-old boy, who frequently prioritizes her dreams for a better future over his immediate emotional requirements. This heartfelt tale unfolds across four seasons in a rural Romanian setting. We had the chance to talk with EbMaster about their artistic journey back home.

Sebastian, how did you attach as a producer to this project?

Over time, I’ve had numerous discussions with her about my ambition to engage creatively with Romania. A common friend whom we both esteem highly recommended Andrea to me, after praising her work that was screened at Cannes. The moment I saw it, I was captivated. For a long while, I’ve yearned to act in a Romanian film, but opportunities have been scarce. However, I recognized that I could contribute behind the scenes as well. Andrea’s script resonated deeply with me, portraying a unique, intimate bond between a mother and son growing up in Romania under specific circumstances. These conditions aren’t often depicted globally. I have personal experiences related to this, having grown up there and leaving the country. The narrative struck a chord with me, as it mirrored aspects of my own journey, which motivated me even more to assist Andrea in shaping her vision for this project.

Andrea, what would you say is the cinematic language of Romania?

To be truthful, I’m unsure if we’re still in an era where there’s a single, unified national voice in Romanian cinema. What I believe it requires, much like any global cinema, is the representation of underrepresented narratives that show us unfamiliar faces. Characters that aren’t just obedient or sugarcoated, but complex and diverse.

Andrea offers a unique, female perspective from abroad that I find refreshingly different. At last, we have a woman with insightful comments on her experiences overseas.

The design seems quite timeless, but it’s striking how it doesn’t seem to move beyond its era. It was unexpected to notice the young man using a mobile phone in certain sequences.

Your observation is remarkably insightful, as if seen through foreign eyes. It’s almost as if the events depicted occurred within the last 20 to 30 years. Yet, there seems to be a fusion of influences that resonate with those who have ventured abroad and returned home. Present-day Romania, in its unique European context, carries a rich history of migration that adds layers of complexity to its identity.

Talk to me about the mother-son dynamic at the center of the film.

Our protagonist Lavinia serves as our tragic hero in every sense. She’s spontaneous and often emotional, with a touch of disregard for convention at moments. Despite everything, she deeply desires to be a loving mother for her 14-year-old boy. Unfortunately, her capacity for love is not well-developed due to her upbringing. Her dream is to build a brighter future for the two of them under skies that appear more serene. In this part of the world, those skies symbolize the West. Determined and resilient, she decides to transform a dilapidated house into something lasting and noteworthy.

At this stage in his life, her son relies on her more than ever before, just before he leaves home permanently. Yet, she seems unaware of this, as for her, showing love means filling their house with purpose. Regardless of her attempts to make the best use of their home, there’s a growing divide between her and her son.

The movie allows you to empathize with a woman’s struggle to maintain her identity while bonding with her son. She’s shouldering the responsibility alone, which makes us realize the comfort we have in our Western family structures. This individual seems to be displaying extraordinary strength and resilience amidst adversity, with little support or personal resources. In my view, this film delves deeply into the expansive nature of womanhood.

It seems like the community around her isn’t exactly uplifting.

This individual has an intriguing bond with her community, yet she strongly perceives herself as distinct from others. She’s tenacious and willing to climb mountains to achieve her goals, which sometimes irks those around her due to her tendency to stir up trouble. However, she grapples with a desire to disconnect herself from this community, unaware that she is deeply rooted in it. A movie served as a catalyst for me to reconcile with the world I hail from. Born and raised in rural Southern Romania, I later fled to broaden my horizons abroad. The concept for this film emerged while I was in New York, where I marveled at the lack of films portraying women like those from Romania – robust characters akin to the strong Italian women depicted by Antonioni. Upon returning home, I spent three weeks immersing myself in villages to better understand this world, overcoming my fear of it. The internal struggle embodied by Lavinia resonates deeply with me, as her journey mirrors my own.

Sebastian, did you involve your mom in this process?

Sure thing!

“No, she actually did watch the movie. It was quite meaningful to discuss it with her since only those who have faced similar challenges can truly appreciate its impact. My mom lived through many harsh realities post-revolution, and in a way, she empathized with the main character’s struggles. Unlike today, when people in the West often have more time to sort themselves out, my mom had me at a very young age – a situation that is less common nowadays. Many individuals still struggle with self-discovery, as they are yet to find their footing. Andreaa captured this authentic struggle for me beautifully.

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2025-04-05 01:47