Born on April 27, 1968, in Iași, Romania, he emerged as a leading figure in the Romanian New Wave cinema. After studying English literature, he pursued film directing at the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest. Gaining international acclaim, he won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2007 for "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," a harrowing tale set during Romania's communist era. His work often explores themes of morality and social issues, solidifying his place in contemporary cinema.