BASED ON TRUE EVENTS, Baltag’s film deals with a time between 1949 and 1951 when, following the establishment of the Communist regime, all students were imprisoned and “re-educated”. The students were tortured or killed if they did not obey. The subject of the Pitesti Experiment was seldom discussed. Baltag’s film is the first feature film on this matter.

The arts were sort of present in my life for as long as I can remember. My mom and dad had been part of the Oakland Art scene for as long as I can remember. Some of their best friends were the original founders of Burning Man and I remember going to burner parties in warehouses when I was a little kid. My current passion as a filmmaker, however, began when I started doing plays in high school. I remember being interested not only in acting, but also in costume and scenic design. My interest only broadened in college.