On the outskirts of Bucharest, in the town of Buftea, stands one of the most important institutions in the history of Romanian cinema – the Buftea Film Studios. Conceived in the 1950s at the initiative of communist leader Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, the studios were meant to become a true “Romanian Hollywood.” However, it is said that the project was also driven by the wishes of his daughter, Lica Gheorghiu, an actress and film enthusiast who dreamed of a career under the spotlight. From the personal ambitions of a political leader to the rise and fall of an entire film industry, the story of the Buftea Studios is a fascinating one, full of ambition, contradictions, and transformation.

The birth of a cinematic giant

The Buftea Studios project was launched around 1950, during a time when cinema was considered an essential tool of propaganda. Gheorghiu-Dej wanted to prove that socialist Romania could build a film production center comparable to those in France or Italy. 

At the same time, his daughter Lica’s influence played a major role in speeding up the construction process. Lica dreamed of modern sets, cutting-edge technology, and filming conditions at international standards.

The chosen site was the former Știrbei family estate in Buftea, an area with spectacular natural scenery—lakes, forests, and plenty of open space for outdoor sets. Construction lasted nearly a decade and required massive state investment. 

By 1959, the complex was already functional, featuring several sound stages, sound studios, a film development laboratory, workshops for set design, costume departments, and even accommodation for film crews.

Everything was designed to give Romanian cinema complete independence. From the initial script idea to the final projection of the film, every stage of production could take place at Buftea. In the following years, the studios became a benchmark not only in Eastern Europe but across the continent, ranking among the most advanced of their time.

The golden age of Romanian film

The 1960s and 1970s were undoubtedly the golden age of the Buftea Studios. During this period, dozens of feature films, adventure movies, historical epics, and comedies were produced here. Romanian productions began to gain international recognition, and Buftea turned into a vibrant hub of cinematic creativity.

Masterpieces such as Forest of the Hanged, The Uprising, Michael the Brave, The Dacians, The Outlaws, and Columna were all filmed here. The impressive sets, painstakingly crafted by teams of Romanian designers and technicians, allowed historical productions from Buftea to compete with major European films.

Beyond fiction films, the studios also hosted documentaries, children’s movies, television productions, and even international co-productions. 

Romania, through Buftea, had become an important point on the global map of cinema. Renowned directors such as Liviu Ciulei, Mircea Drăgan, Sergiu Nicolaescu, Lucian Pintilie, Mircea Mureșan, Dan Pița, and Mircea Daneliuc all began or consolidated their careers here.

Buftea also launched a generation of actors who would become icons of Romanian film: Amza Pellea, Florin Piersic, Margareta Pogonat, Ion Besoiu, Olga Tudorache, Ilarion Ciobanu, Sebastian Papaiani, and many others.

Lica Gheorghiu and the ambition to be a star

A special chapter in the story of the Buftea Studios belongs to Lica Gheorghiu, the daughter of Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej. Passionate about acting, Lica was cast in several films made at Buftea, often in leading roles. Although her talent was questioned by critics, no one could deny her influence.

She benefited from special teams, scripts tailored to her needs, and special attention from studio management. Some films, such as Thirst (Setea) and Lupeni ’29, were designed specifically to showcase her. Lica became a symbolic figure of socialist cinema, representing the image of the “new Romanian woman.”

While many saw her as privileged, some argue that Lica Gheorghiu indirectly contributed to the modernization of the studios. She pushed for the purchase of Western equipment, color film, and complex sets, thereby raising the professional standards of Buftea’s productions.

Decline and transformation

After Gheorghiu-Dej’s death and Nicolae Ceaușescu’s rise to power, the Buftea Studios maintained their importance for a while. However, starting in the 1980s, economic hardship, ideological constraints, and reduced budgets led to a gradual decline.

Films continued to be produced, but the technology was becoming outdated, and investment was scarce. Additionally, ideological censorship increasingly restricted artistic freedom. After the 1989 Revolution, the studios entered a difficult period of transition. The market economy, lack of funding, and administrative confusion led to privatization, name changes, and stretches of inactivity.

For a time, parts of the studios were abandoned or repurposed for other uses. Yet, the spirit of Buftea never completely disappeared. In the 2000s, the studios began a slow but steady process of modernization.

The rebirth of Buftea in the modern era

Today, the Buftea Studios have largely regained their former glory. After significant investments in infrastructure, the sound stages, laboratories, and production facilities are once again operational. The complex now includes nearly twenty sound stages, indoor filming studios, storage spaces, costume and prop departments, and modern filming and post-production equipment.

Buftea has become home to several successful international productions, including foreign films and series that have discovered Romania’s potential as a filming location. The studios also host television shows, commercials, and various audiovisual projects.

Moreover, Buftea has reopened its doors to the public, offering guided tours for those who wish to discover the “behind the scenes” of Romanian cinema. Today, Buftea is not only a place of memories but a living space where a new chapter of Romanian filmmaking is being written.

The legacy of a communist dream

The Buftea Studios remain, at their core, the product of political ambition and a passion for film. Gheorghiu-Dej wanted to build a monument to the cultural power of the regime, while his daughter Lica provided the personal motivation that turned the dream into reality.

Over the decades, Buftea has witnessed history unfold: from the enthusiasm of the pioneers of Romanian cinema to the propaganda of the communist era, from the economic decay of the 1980s to the modern rebirth of the film industry.

Today, the studios stand as a symbol of cultural resilience and artistic revival. They are no longer just a filming location but a space of collective memory, passion, and creative continuity.

The history of Buftea is, ultimately, the history of Romanian cinema itself: a story of ambition, sacrifice, talent, and survival. Despite the many transformations, Buftea remains the “Romanian Hollywood” — the place where dreams were born, heroes were created, and the visual history of an entire nation was written.

We also recommend: Stirbei Palace - Romania's largest events domain with over 150 years of history