Paul Barbă Neagră

Paul Barbă Neagră (or Barbăneagră) (11 February 1929 – 13 October 2009) was a Romanian film director and writer who, starting in 1957, has directed short and medium-length documentaries on topics related to culture and the arts.

Born in Isaccea, he studied medicine and cinematography in Bucharest, graduating from the I. L. Caragiale Institute for Theater and Film Arts.

Between 1957 and 1964, he worked for the film studios of Communist Romania, and, during a visit to Tours (where he was attending the local film festival), sought political asylum.

He was awarded a first prize for the scenario of his film Versailles Palais-Temple du Roi Soleil ("Palace of Versailles, Temple of the Sun King") at the Festival International du Film d'Art (International Festival for Art Films).

In 1990, he was awarded The French Grand Prix for Audiovisual Arts for his entire activity.