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April 2, 2008
"The most terrible act of barbarism in the modern world." (Alexander Solzhenitsyn)
"The delirious imagination of Turcanu (the chief torturer - our note) was unleashed above all when he was dealing with students who believed in God and who strove not to renounce their belief. Thus, some were baptised each morning: their heads plunged into a bucket of urine and faecal matter, while the others around chanted the ritual of baptism. This would last until the contents of the bucket started to bubble. When the recalcitrant prisoner was on the point of drowning, he would be pulled up, given a short respite in which to breathe, then submerged once more." Virgil Ierunca, The Pitesti Phenomenon, Paris, 1981, p.37.
"In the so-called act of depersonalisation, the students were forced, under torture, permanent and unimaginable torture, to betray all they held dear: God, their own parents, brothers, sisters and friends. They were constrained to drink urine and to eat faeces! The human being was thereby annihilated. Disgusted at his weakness, he would never be able to recover himself before his own conscience. The pain was beyond the power of human endurance." Eugen Magirescu, The Devil's Mill: Memories of Pitesti Prison, Editura Fronde, Alba-Iulia, Paris, 1994, p.6
"Then they undressed me (...) What followed is indescribable... beatings on the head to induce stupefaction; beatings in the face, for disfigurement; thousands of blows to the back, below the ribs, in the plexus, on the soles of the feet. Dozens of faints and then all over again, for hours on end, and the eye at the peep hole always watching, always watching. They shattered my ribs, lungs, liver, kicking my bones, my kidneys with shod feet." Eugen Magirescu, The Devil's Mill, in Memoria no. 13, p.38
"When the victim was a theology student or a person with a certain religious feeling, he was made to genuflect to the bare bottom of one of the 're-educated', to call that bottom an icon and to kiss it. He would have to label the Holy Virgin 'the great whore' and Jesus Christ 'the great idiot crucified on the cross'. If it was known that the victim loved his parents, Turcanu would provoke him thus: Tell me, X, how did you sleep with your mother? or, Tell me how you caught your father raping your sister? The victim, after enduring the purgatory of 're-education', was never abandoned, but was also drawn into the caste of executioners." Ion Balan, The Prison Camp Regime in Romania, 1945-1964, Fundatia Academia Civica, 2000, p. 225
"Performances on religious subjects, black masses staged at Easter or Christmas, horrified the detainees. On such occasions, it was the theology students who were to suffer the most, dressed up as 'Christs', clothed in cassocks smeared with excrement. They were made to take 'communion' with urine and faeces, and instead of the Cross, a phallus was fashioned of soap, which all the others were made to kiss. Alongside them hymns were sung with scabrous words, in which the commonplaces were insults against Christ and the Virgin Mary. Sometimes the detainees would be stripped naked." Alin Muresan, Pitesti. The Chronicle of an Assisted Suicide, Polirom, Bucharest, 2008.
"Sexual plays also performed at the orders of Turcanu, naturally. On Good Friday, he shared out the roles: the 'ass' is fellated by 'Mary Magdalene', 'Joseph' sodomises the 'ass', which in its turn stands with its muzzle in the lap of the 'Virgin Mary whore', concomitantly sodomised by 'Jesus'. The re-educated, headed by Turcanu, displayed a diabolical pleasure in mocking the faithful, nicknamed 'mystics'. Such scenes had a terrible effect on the victims, who as a rule found their only solace in faith. However, after participating in the black masses, their entire faith was shaken to its foundations... (...) " Alin Muresan, Pitesti. The Chronicle of an Assisted Suicide, Polirom, Bucharest, 2008.
"...you were made to tug each other's genitals or one of them would put his penis in your mouth; if you soiled yourself during beatings you were made to eat your own faeces and to lick the dirtied long-johns or to eat another's faeces from your own mess tin, without being allowed to wash it after that; you were made to kiss each other's bottoms; you were made to urinate in each other's mouths; when you begged for water, you would be given urine from the bucket or they would urinate in your mouth, or others would spit in your mouth; you were made to spit in each other's bottoms and then lick it up; they would wipe a stick smeared in faeces from the WC on your mouth and in your mouth; you were made to stick your finger up your bottom and then suck it." Costin Merisca, The Pitesti Tragedy. Jassy, 1997, p. 70-71
"With indescribable fury they began to hit him, with fists, cudgels and feet. And to toss him from one to another, until the bloodied wretch fell almost senseless and could no longer rise. After they had given him a few more kicks to the head, two of them picked him up and threw him on the bunk, making him sit with his hands in his pockets and his head bowed, according to the order. Then another followed, then another, as though in a devilish ring dance intended to annihilate the last speck of physical and moral resistance of those who entered into their rabid game." Justin Stefan Paven, The Hell of Pitesti, in Memoria, no. 22, p. 66

S.C. Video Dialog S.R.L.

  • Executive Director:
    Sorin ILIESIU (asociat unic)
  • Headquarter:
    Str. Ruschita nr. 60, Sector 2, cod 021949 Bucharest, Romania
  • Offices:
    Calea Victoriei nr.120, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania
  • Telephone/Fax:
    +40-021-315.63.58
  • Telephone:
    +40-0723-640.270
  • E-mail:
    soriniliesiu@yahoo.com

VideoMedia Foundation - general information

  • code CAEN 9211 - production of cinematographic films and videos
  • Sole Founder / President / Executive Director: Sorin ILIESIU
  • Permit number: 262 / 6 XII 1996
  • Headquarter address: Str. Ruschita nr. 60, Sector 2, Bucharest 021949, Romania
  • Secondary headquarter address: Calea Victoriei 120, sect.1, Bucuresti, Tel/Fax: +4021.315.6358 soriniliesiu@yahoo.com vmvd@ong.ro Cellular Tel.:+40-0723-640.270
  • Bank accounts at RAIFFEISEN BANK - Bucharest Agency
    IBAN Code: RO97RZBR0000060000667753 (RON / LEI)
    IBAN Code: RO58RZBR0000060010172224 (EURO)
    IBAN Code: RO90RZBR0000060010172230 (USD)
    SWIFT Code: RZBRROBU
  • Bank address: RAIFFEISEN BANK - Bucharest Agency, Calea Victoriei nr.155, sect.1, Bucuresti, Romania

Abstract of the VideoMedia Foundation Statute

  • Article 5. The goals for the establishment of the foundation, and for whose's realization its activities will be carried on, are the following:
    1. The recovery and promotion of the authentic Romanian spirituality values;
    2. The affirmation of the Romanian culture as integrated in the European culture;
    3. The affirmation of the Judeo-Christian values;
    4. The promotion of the national historical truth in the collective memory;
    5. The promotion of the values of democracy;
    6. The promotion of human rights and freedoms;
    7. The promotion and defense of the rights of children, the handicapped people's and ethnic minorities' rights.
  • Article 6. The goals will be realized through the foundation's activities, that will consist of the following:
    1. The conception of programs for the realization of documentary and feature films and the implementation of such projects, whose subjects will conform with the Foundation's goals;
    2. The conception and implementation of programs and their respective films for the public consumption at national and international levels.

The VideoMedia Foundation was established in 1996 and has been active in partnership with Video-Dialog, a film production studio

  • Video-Dialog is the first independent video studio in post-revolutionary Romania, established in April 1990 with the initial name as Video GSD. Executive Director: Sorin Iliesiu.
  • The principal activity of Video-Dialog: (code CAEN 9211) the production of cinematographic and video films.
  • Technical capabilities: professional DV filming equipment, DV and beta-SP cassette, digital editing equipment, sound recording equipment, speaker cabin, lighting equipment.
  • Video-Dialog produced documentary films on the following themes: arts (architecture, sculpture, painting), philosophy, history, social activities, rights of children, and other subjects of general interest. Some of these products were produced in partnership with the VideoMedia Foundation.
  • Films produced by Video-Dialog, some in partnership with the VideoMedia Foundation, have been presented at international and Romanian festivals, at the following locations: Montreal, Paris, Tokyo, Bruxelles, London, Leipzig, Amsterdam, Montbelliard, Hamburg, Locarno, Graz, New York, Oberhausen, Budapesta, Montecatini, Teplice, Chisinau, Bucuresti, Targu-Mures, Costinesti, Sfantu-Gheorghe (Covasna), Mamaia, Sibiu.

Films produced by Video Dialog, some in partnership with the VideoMedia Foundation (selective list):

  • 1991: PETRE TUTEA - EMIL CIORAN. A POSSIBLE ENCOUNTER. (PETRE TUTEA - EMIL CIORAN. O intalnire posibila) -25min. A film by Gabriel Liiceanu & Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by Video GDS(VideoDialog). Special Award - National Film Festival, Costinesti '93. Broadcaster TVR1. Eureka Screening '98.
  • 1991: OBJECT-BOOK. SPIRIT-BOOK (CARTE-OBIECT. CARTE-SPIRIT) -17min. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Commentary: Gabriel Liiceanu. Produced by Video GDS(VideoDialog). Prize for ArtFilm - Romanian Filmmakers' Union '92.
  • 1992: ROYAL PALACES IN ROMANIA (PALATE REGALE DIN ROMANIA) -26min. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Script: Augustin Ioan. Produced by Video GDS(VideoDialog).
  • 1992: ARCHITECTURE AND MODERNITY (ARHITECTURA SI MODERNITATE) -26min. D: Mariana Celac & Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by Video GDS(VideoDialog). Romanian Filmmakers' Union Prize - Architecture & Urbanism International Film Festival, Bucharest '94.
  • 1993: LIBERATION (ELIBERARE) -33min. A film by Sorin Iliesiu & Ioan Grosan. Produced by Video GDS(VideoDialog). Prize for VideoFilm - National Film Festival, Costinesti '93.
  • 1994: AUROLAC (AUROLAC) -20min. A film by Sorin Iliesiu & Ioan Grosan. Produced by VideoDialog. Prize for The Best Romanian Film, International Film Festival, Targu-Mures '94. VIDEO COMMUNICATION GOLD AWARD, JVC TOKYO VIDEO FESTIVAL, 1999. GRAND PRIZE Ex-Aequo, Romanian-Hungarian Documentary Festival Film.Dok, Sfantu-Gheorghe/Covasna, Romania 2004. Broadcaster National Hungarian Television. Eureka Screening '98.
  • 1995: THE APOCALYPSE ACCORDING TO CIORAN (APOCALIPSA DUPA CIORAN) -60min. A film by Gabriel Liiceanu & Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoDialog. Prize for Script, Romanian Filmmakers' Union. Special Prize, MediaFest, Costinesti '96.
  • 1995: BABU (GHEORGHE URSU) -48 min. Prize for VideoFilm - A film by Cornel Mihalache. Produced by VideoDialog. National Film Festival, Costinesti '93. Prize for documentary at the National Festival in Costinesti, 1996. Great Prize at the International Festival of Film, Sibiu, 1996, Prize for the best political film, MediaFest 1997.
  • 1995: HOPE...(SPERANTA...) 10min. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoDialog. Eureka Screening '98.
  • 1996: CHILD DEVELOPMENT - 4 episodes x 15 min. UNICEF/CastelFilm. Directors: Sorin Iliesiu & Nicolae Margineanu. Script : Steliana Fumarel & Valeriu Dragusanu .Broadcaster TVR1 . Produced by CastelFilm. Editing off-line: VideoDialog.
  • 1996: CONSTRUCT (CONSTRUCT) -13min. Director: Sorin Iliesiu. Script: Mariana Celac. Produced by VideoDialog & Editura Video. Prize of The Television Professionals Association of Romania; Prize for Photography, National Film Festival, Costinesti '96. Broadcaster KunstKanaal-Amsterdam and TVRI. Eureka Screening '98.
  • 1997: AND WHAT AM I TO DO TOMORROW ? - 26 min a film about the training for the social and professional integration of the youngsters from the children's homes. Beneficiary: Unicef-Romania . Script : Yves Gilardi. Director Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoMedia Foundation & VideoDialog.
  • 1998: BEING A CHILD IN CHILDREN'S HOME - 10 min . Romanian Save the Children & VideoMedia Foundation.Support : UNICEF.Director : Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by : VideoDialog.
  • 1998: EQUAL CHANCES - 13 min. Romanian Save the Children & VideoDialog.Support : UNICEF. Director : Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoMedia Foundation & VideoDialog.
  • 1999: ALL THE CHILDREN HAVE RIGHTS - 63 min.UNCEF & Romanian Save the Children. Director: Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoMedia Foundation & VideoDialog.
  • 2000: ROMANIAN ART IN SINGAPORE (ARTA ROMANEASCA IN SINGAPORE) - 28 min. VideoDialog & Romanian Television. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Broadcaster TVR.
  • 2001: WISCONSIN TURNING SYSTEMS & WISCONSIN PRECISION COMPONENTS - 2 x 7 min. Wisconsin Machine Tool Systems - USA. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoDialog.Broadcaster WMTS.
  • 2001: A PAINTER OF CHURCHES (UN PICTOR DE BISERICI) - 15 min. Produced by VideoDialog & Aspera Foundation-USA. A film by Sorin Iliesiu.
  • 2002: THE RESTORER (RESTAURATORUL) - 15 min. Produced by VideoDialog & Aspera Foundation-USA. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Prize for Short Films - 2002, Romanian Union of Filmmakers, 2003. Top Prize for Documentary Films, National Film Festival "7 Arte", Romania, 2004.
  • 2002: CHILD PROTECTION REFORM IN ROMANIA , 8 video series x 15 min , 5 languages versions (Romanian, English, Russian, Bulgarian, Turkish), WORLD BANK , A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoDialog.
  • 2003: A PASSION FOR BEAUTY. THE DIARIES OF MARIE, QUEEN OF ROMANIA (PASIUNEA PENTRU FRUMOS. Jurnalul Reginei MARIA a Romaniei) - 15 min. Produced by VideoMedia Foundation & Aspera Foundation-USA. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Special Award for Documentary Films, DaKINO International Film Festival, Bucharest, Romania, 2003.
  • 2003: CENTRAL EXPRESS - 6 x 10 min., 2003. Director: Andrei Gorgan. Producer: Sorin Iliesiu. Subject matter: Romania , within the series of films produced by the TV RAI Educational channel about the countries that will be integrated in the UE. Beneficiary - Broadcaster: TV RAI Educational channel , Italy . Broadcast in 2004 : RAI Educational , RAI TRE , Italy . Produced by VideoDialog.
  • 2005: EUROMERICAN NIGHTLOSERS - 16 min. Produced by VideoDialog & Aspera Foundation-USA. A film by Sorin Iliesiu.
  • 2006: A FEW THINGS ABOUT QUEEN MARIE ( CÂTE CEVA DESPRE REGINA MARIA) - 23 min. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Queen Marie: MAIA MORGENSTERN. Produced by VideoMedia Foundation & VideoDialog. Coproducer: The National Centre of Cinematography. Romanian Cultural Institute Award, ASTRA FILM FESTIVAL, Sibiu / Hermannstadt, Transylvania, 2006.
  • 2007: A HOUSE IN TRANSYLVANIA (O CASA ÎN TRANSILVANIA) - 15 min.. A film by Sorin Iliesiu. Produced by VideoDialog