In 2024, Marcel Iures brings back Romania’s Enigmas for a second season. Being short, with only three episodes, it’s even better made and with interesting topics of discussion. Once again, featuring interviews with good people from their specific fields, it brings into the spotlight subjects that are usually left in the shadows. Four popcorns.
Episode 1: Barbu Catargiu: Who Is The Killer?
The first political assassination in the history of modern Romania. The first Prime Minister of Unified Romania, Barbu Catargiu, is shot in broad daylight under mysterious circumstances that have never been fully clarified.
A mysterious story about the first political assassination, the prime-minister Barbu Catargiu, in 1862.
My take:
Episode 2: UFOs in Romania
Numerous UFO sightings have been reported in Romania — even aerial enigmas observed in flight. Most appear to be exaggerations, but not all of them! One such incident occurred in 1989 at Kogălniceanu Airport — today a NATO base on the Black Sea — witnessed by supersonic jet pilots. Another case involved nine military helicopter pilots and technicians during a night flight in 1992.
The first UFO sighting photographed in Romania, above the Baciu Forest, was acknowledged by experts and later mentioned at an international symposium on the subject. Dumitru Prunariu, Romania’s famous astronaut, was himself a witness to a strange aerial event during his Soyuz space mission in 1981.
Military and government officials have always remained silent. What really happened in Romania’s skies — and why was it all kept so secret?
A great modern enigma regarding unidentified flying objects. I was surprised to see one of the actors in one of the re-enactments to be a former workmate. Neat!
My take:
Episode 3: Maria Tănase: A Forbidden Love
Known as the “Divine Bird,” Maria Tănase was the Edith Piaf of Romania. Her songs, voice, and beauty captivated both Romanians (including today’s youth and celebrities) and international audiences. But there was also a darker side to her fairy-tale life, largely due to her passionate loves — sometimes for the wrong people.
The fantastic tale of one of Romania’s greatest musician of all time, and the unbelievable story of the person behind the artist.
My take:
