Teodora Ana Mihui Breaks New Ground with Heysel 85 at Tokyo Film Festival

Heysel 85 makes its Asian debut at the Tokyo Film Festival

The long‑awaited Asian premiere of Heysel 85 took place this week at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The screening attracted critics, industry buyers and a growing fan base eager to see how the Romanian‑Belgian filmmaker translates her Berlin buzz to an Asian audience.

From Berlin buzz to Tokyo spotlight

Eight months ago, Heysel 85 premiered at the Berlinale, where it earned a reputation for its raw portrayal of post‑communist youth culture. The film’s reputation grew through word‑of‑mouth and strong reviews in outlets such as Variety. The Tokyo showing marks the next step in an ambitious international rollout that includes upcoming stops in Seoul and Los Angeles.

Story and style of Heysel 85

Set in the industrial outskirts of Brussels, Heysel 85 follows a group of friends navigating love, work and the lingering shadows of the 1980s. Mihui co‑wrote the script with Lode, blending documentary‑like realism with lyrical moments that echo the aesthetic of the 1980s punk scene. Critics have highlighted the film’s kinetic camerawork and its soundtrack, which features tracks from underground Belgian bands.

Runtime: 112 minutes
Language: French, Dutch, English subtitles
Genre: Drama / Coming‑of‑age

Teodora Ana Mihui’s creative journey

Early career and Berlin breakthrough

Mihui, born in Bucharest and raised in Brussels, began her career directing short films that explored migration and identity. Her short Crossing Lines won a prize at the Berlinale official site in 2022, catching the attention of European producers.

Heysel 85 was her first feature length work. The film’s selection for the Berlinale’s Panorama section gave Mihui a platform to showcase her distinct voice. The festival’s programming director praised the film for “capturing a generation in transition with honesty and visual flair.”

Collaborations and co‑writing process

The partnership with screenwriter Lode began during a writers’ residency in Brussels. Together they crafted a narrative that weaves personal stories with broader social commentary. Mihui has said that the collaborative process allowed her to “push beyond personal memory and tap into a collective consciousness of the 80s era.”

What’s next for the director

New project set in Tokyo

While Heysel 85 enjoys its festival circuit, Mihui is already developing her next feature, tentatively titled Tokyo. The project will be shot on location in Japan and will explore themes of displacement and cultural hybridity through the eyes of a Romanian expatriate living in Shibuya.

According to a recent interview with the Romanian Film Center, the film will be a co‑production between Romanian, Belgian and Japanese companies. Funding has been secured through the European Creative Europe program and a partnership with a Tokyo‑based independent studio.

Anticipated themes and production timeline

In a press briefing at the Tokyo Film Festival, Mihui outlined the core ideas of the upcoming film:

Identity negotiation in a hyper‑connected city.
The contrast between traditional Japanese aesthetics and contemporary digital culture.
A soundtrack that blends Romanian folk motifs with J‑pop influences.

Pre‑production is slated to begin early next year, with principal photography planned for the summer of 2025. The director hopes to premiere the film at the Cannes Film Festival, aiming for a spring 2026 release.

Critical reception and industry impact

Heysel 85 has already garnered a 92% approval rating on IMDb, reflecting strong audience appreciation. Reviewers have praised Mihui’s ability to blend personal narrative with broader historical context, noting that the film “offers a fresh perspective on post‑communist Europe while remaining universally resonant.”

The film’s success has opened doors for emerging Eastern European directors seeking visibility on the global stage. Industry analysts point to Mihui’s strategic festival circuit as a model for independent filmmakers aiming to maximize exposure without relying on major studio backing.

As the Tokyo audience responded with a standing ovation, it became clear that Heysel 85’s themes of belonging and transformation strike a chord far beyond its European roots. Mihui’s next venture promises to extend that dialogue, this time through the lens of a city that epitomizes both tradition and rapid change.