Cinema profiles: Cristea Avram and the early work of Holland and Bernthal

The career of Romanian actor Cristea Avram, known internationally as Chris Avram, is highlighted for his significant contributions to European and Italian cinema. Born in Bucharest in 1931, Avram transitioned from Romanian theater to international film, a move influenced by his relationship with French actress Marina Vlady. During the 1960s and 1970s, he became a familiar face in Italy, appearing in various genres including thrillers, westerns, and comedies. His notable filmography includes titles such as ‘Reazione a catena’, ‘W Django!’, and ‘Il commissario Verrazzano’.

In a separate look at film history, the 2017 movie ‘Pilgrimage’, directed by Brendan Muldowney, is noted for featuring early performances by Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal. Set in medieval Ireland, the film follows a group of religious figures transporting a relic to Rome amidst political and religious conflict. The film serves as a retrospective of the actors' origins before they achieved major international stardom.