Daria about DARIA! and this issue’s features

Premiere Issue (P. 3)

I was born and raised in Romania for well over half of my life. A few years ago, I moved to North-America and it all started to take shape: the concept of the magazine, the right environment, the will and, most importantly and the most determinant factor, the support, trust and encouragement of one dear friend and business associate. The idea to do it? Oh, well, that came a few years earlier, while I was still in Romania. Daria! is not aiming at changing the world, but at influencing the opinion of those who have the power, possibility and will, to do just that by getting their attention on the topics, the people and the films featured in its pages. I am talking about international art and entertainment, fashion, music and the business of film.

One thing is for sure – most of what you will read in Daria!, you would not read anywhere else. Right now the purpose of DARIA! is to get the attention of the world’s film and TV executives on different subjects and to become a "liaison" between Hollywood and great talent and products that are not yet in full light.

This summer, Bruno Pischiutta and I have been Executive Producers of Punctured Hope. We shot the picture in Accra – Ghana under Bruno’s brilliant direction. He taught us all a lesson of great talent exercised with elegant style, the class of patience and thoughtfulness for others, the real meaning of "mentorship" and, throughout everything, the perseverance and fierce determination of completing the film. He conducted the film’s direction as a mission and we all understood and appreciated his artistic vision. The cast and crew of the production put it best when speaking of Director Pischiutta: "You really also taught us and made us believe that truly, the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenges and controversies..." (Elsie Kadiri).

Are the difficulties of making this film worth detailing today? No, as the result and accomplishment of a mission is all that matters. It is worth to say, however, that without this one man, the film industry would have missed a masterpiece – Punctured Hope– and the world might not have come to know the biggest form of slavery practiced today against women – Trokosi!

In West Africa I did my best to see, to try to understand and to help, whenever possible, as much as possible. But did anybody need my help? YES and NO, at the same time. "Yes" because with so very little, in our terms, so very much can be done. Also because when one understands the flaws of a governing system while not being directly involved in it, it is much easier to make an assessment and to discuss possible solutions. "No" because nobody needed my help to be happy, to laugh, to cry, to play, to enjoy life. Maybe, I needed their help to show me the essence of human kind, to remind me of the pure, simple but fulfilling existence. Maybe it was I who benefited most from the experience and from the privilege of being there.

I will never forget the joy of life! I intend to be back in Ghana soon and I am already working with Bruno on his next film to be directed and shot in Ghana. Our foundation will develop the village where the film Punctured Hope was shot and our Film Academy is growing every day! D

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