A projector above a table emits a beam of light
February 28, 2025 11:00 am

Collective

About the event

Collective (Romanian: Colectiv, also known as Collective: Unravelling a Scandal) is a 2019 documentary film directed, written, produced, and edited by Alexander Nanau. The film centers on the 2016 public health scandal following the Colectiv nightclub fire.

On October 2015, in Bucharest, the metal band Goodbye to Gravity performed a concert at a club called Colectiv. Pyrotechnics caused a fire to break out, quickly engulfing the club, resulting in the immediate deaths of 27 people and injuring 180. Over the following months, an additional 37 victims died, partially due to the lack of proper healthcare at public hospitals. Journalists began investigating the mismanagement of healthcare by public hospitals after sources informed them that the disinfectants used were diluted.

The film follows dual stories of investigative journalists at the Romanian newspaper Gazeta Sporturilor uncovering public healthcare corruption and maladministration, and the government’s response to the crisis at the Ministry of Health.

The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on 4 September 2019, and was released in Romania on 28 February 2020, and on 20 November 2020 in other countries, including the UK and USA.

The film received LUX Audience Award in 2021, organised by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in collaboration with Creative Europe MEDIA and Europa Cinemas. This award highlights the European Parliament’s commitment to culture and education, by providing support to European cinema and promoting cultural diversity.

2.4_Voices Cinema