Don't Let Me Die (film)
| Don't Let Me Die | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Romanian | Nu mă lăsa să mor |
| Directed by | Andrei Epure |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Laurențiu Raducanu |
| Edited by | Dragoș Apetri |
| Music by | Dale Cooper Quartet & the Dictaphones |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Lights On |
Release date |
|
Running time | 108 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Language |
|
Don't Let Me Die (Romanian: Nu mă lăsa să mor) is a 2025 mystery drama film co–written and directed by Andrei Epure in his feature debut. The film starring Cosmina Stratan, follows Maria, who gets entangled in a maze of bureaucracy and affairs of dead neighbour, when the corpse of her neighbour is found in front of her apartment window.[1][2]
An international co-production among Romania, Bulgaria, and France, the film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 12 August 2025, in the Filmmakers of the Present Competition section, where it competef for Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present[3]
Cast
- Cosmina Stratan as Maria
- Elina Löwensohn as Isabela
- Silvia Debu
- Mihaela Sirbu
- Ozana Oancea
- Gabriel Albert Costea
- Elias Ferkin
- Lucian Pavel
- Isabela Neamtu as Irina
- Ana Dumitrascu
- Ioana Crăciunescu
- Cezar Grumăzescu
- Georgi Yordanov
Production
Development
In 2022, writer-director Andrei Epure conceived the idea for the film while riding a bus. He overheard a conversation between strangers about a Romanian journalist who had been found dead in her apartment, two weeks after her passing. Struck by the tragedy, he was inspired to create a film that would “explore the anguish of passing away in complete indifference.” The project developed at the 44th Cannes’ Résidence du Festival, held from 1 March to 15 July 2022, had production commitment from Bucharest-based Saga Film and co-production by Paris-based Tomsa Films. It was scheduled for filming in 2024.[4][5]
Release
Don't Let Me Die had its world premiere in the 'Filmmakers of the Present Competition' section of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 12 August 2025, vying for the Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present.[6]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locarno Film Festival | 16 August 2025 | Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present | Don't Let Me Die | Nominated | [7] |
References
- ^ "Don't Let Me Die". Locarno Film Festival. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ "Don't Let Me Die" (PDF). Festival de Cannes. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Mona Tabbara (8 July 2025). "Locarno unveils 2025 line-up including premieres of Radu Jude's 'Dracula', Kamal Aljafari's 'With Hasan In Gaza'". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ Marta Balaga (7 August 2022). "'Small Body' Producer Tomsa Films Boards Andrei Epure's First Feature 'Don't Let Me Die' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "The 44th session of the Résidence of the Festival de Cannes has been launched!". Festival de Cannes. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Balaga, Marta (8 July 2025). "Radu Jude, Abdellatif Kechiche Head to Locarno as Swiss Fest Announces Lineup: An 'Ambitious and Exciting Edition'". Variety. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ Del Don, Muriel (9 July 2025). "Locarno announces the films selected for its parallel sections". Cineuropa. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
