In 1980 he emigrated as a student from Romania to France because of Nicolae Ceausescu's communist dictatorship.
Worked as an editor, later as an assistant director, notably to Marco Ferreri in the 1980s.
He was declared 'Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur' (13 July 2013) and 'Officier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres' (16 January 2014), two of the highest decorations in France.
Speaks French, English and Romanian fluently.
Graduated from the IDHEC.
President of the jury at the Angers First Film Festival in 2006.