Cvartal – The Cultural Heritage of Bucharest’s Neighborhoods

The “Russian blocks,” as they are known, represent an important segment of Bucharest’s architectural and social history. Easily distinguishable from other residential complexes, most have a generous inner courtyard dominated by green spaces and playgrounds for children, while the façade has a solemn and monumental air, featuring arches and entrance portals.

The documentary film, directed by Dan Radu Mihai, takes an experimental approach to recounting the history of these blocks built between 1948 and 1958. The perspective of the residents on living in these blocks is complemented by the contributions of historians, architects, and anthropologists who have studied the history of housing in Bucharest: Andrei Răzvan Voinea, Mara Mărginean, Irina Tulbure, Bogdan Iancu, and Alexandru Axinte. Additionally, archival images and previously unseen materials are presented, adding to the story of these complexes and the people who inhabited them.