Irina Carmen Petrescu (19 June 1941 – 19 March 2013) was a Romanian film actress. She appeared in 29 films between 1959 and 2010. She won the award for Best Actress at the

6th Moscow International Film Festival The 6th Moscow International Film Festival was held from 7 to 22 July 1969. The Golden Prizes were awarded to the Cuban film ''Lucía'' directed by Humberto Solás, the Italian film '' Serafino'' directed by Pietro Germi and the Soviet film ''W ...

for her role in the 1969 film ''

A Woman for a Season ''A Woman for a Season'' ( ro, Răutăciosul adolescent) is a 1969 Romanian comedy film directed by Gheorghe Vitanidis. It was entered into the 6th Moscow International Film Festival where Irina Petrescu won the award for Best Actress. The film ...

''.

Early life and career

She was born in 1941 in

Bucharest Bucharest ( , ; ro, București ) is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country, on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, less than north of ...

, the daughter of Constantin and Elena Petrescu. She graduated from the Institute of Theatre and Film I.L. Caragiale, class of 1963, under the guidance of teachers and

David Esrig David Esrig (born September 23, 1935 in Haifa) is a Romanian theater director. Education He studied directing at the Bucharest Caragiale Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography. Career In 1995, he founded the Athanor Academy of Perf ...

. Irina Petrescu was noticed one day by director , who came to her table in the ''Continental'' restaurant and asked her to audition for his film. The film has not done, but the audition was shown to

Liviu Ciulei Liviu Ciulei (; 7 July 1923 – 24 October 2011) was a Romanian theater and film director, film writer, actor, architect, educator, costume and set designer. During a career spanning over 50 years, he was described by ''Newsweek'' as "one of the b ...

, who searched for – and found – an interpreter for Ana's role in "

Waves of the Danube "Waves of the Danube" ( ro, Valurile Dunării) is a waltz composed by Iosif Ivanovici in 1880, and is one of the most famous Romanian tunes in the world. The song has many variations throughout the piece, reminiscent of the music of Johann Strauss. ...

". At that time Petrescu was only 17 years old. For the Institute she also prepared with Știopul, who insisted to give the exam, and she had gotten in reciting lyrics of

Mihai Eminescu Mihai Eminescu (; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889) was a Romanian Romantic poet from Moldavia, novelist, and journalist, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Eminescu was an active membe ...

and a fable by . In 2000, Petrescu was awarded by

Romanian President The president of Romania ( ro, Președintele României) is the head of state of Romania. Following a modification to the Romanian Constitution in 2003, the president is directly elected by a two-round system and serves for five years. An indi ...

Emil Constantinescu Emil Constantinescu () (born 19 November 1939) is a Romanian professor and politician, who served as the President of Romania, from 1996 to 2000. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989, Constantinescu became a founding member and vice president ...

the

Order of the Star of Romania The Order of the Star of Romania (Romanian: ''Ordinul Steaua României'') is Romania's highest civil Order and second highest State decoration after the defunct Order of Michael the Brave. It is awarded by the President of Romania. It has five r ...

, Officer class. She died in 2013 at after a long battle with breast cancer, and was buried at the Reînvierea Cemetery in the Colentina neighborhood of Bucharest.

Selected filmography

* ' (1959) * ' (1961), as Rodica Barbu * ''Poveste sentimentală'' (1961) * ' (1963), as

Artemis In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Artemis (; grc-gre, Ἄρτεμις) is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. She was heavily identified wit ...

* ' (1964), as the student Sonia Mureșan * ''

The White Moor ''The White Moor'' ( ro, De-aș fi... Harap Alb) is a 1965 Romanian fantasy film directed by Ion Popescu-Gopo. It was entered into the 4th Moscow International Film Festival where Popescu-Gopo won the award for Best Director. Taken from an old ...

'' (1965) * ''

Story of My Foolishness Story of My Foolishness ( hu, Butaságom története) is a 1966 Hungarian comedy film directed by Márton Keleti. Cast * Éva Ruttkai - Kabók Kati * Lajos Básti - Mérey László * Irina Petrescu - Jacqueline * László Mensáros - Forbáth ...

'' (1966), as Jacqueline * '' Sunday at Six'' (1966) * ' (1967), as the librarian Mariana * ' (1967), as the chemist Magdalena * ''

'' (1969), as Ana Patriciu * ' (1971), as Eva * ' (1974), as the violinist Corina * ' (1976), as the nun Aegidia * '' Miss Christina'' (1992) * '' The Human Resources Manager'' (2010)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Petrescu, Irina 1941 births 2013 deaths Actresses from Bucharest Romanian film actresses Romanian television actresses Romanian stage actresses Caragiale Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography alumni Officers of the Order of the Star of Romania