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The man who many considered Moldova's premier director, Soviet-era filmmaker Emil Loteanu charmed audiences with his passionately romantic films, moved them with thoughtful dramas, and educated them with insightful documentaries. Born in Clocusna (which eventually become Moldova) in the former Soviet Union, Loteanu lived a nomadic existence in his early years, frequently sleeping in warehouses and hostels after his father was killed in war and his mother lost track of him following a move to Romania. The future director later studied acting at the Mkhat studio school before graduating from VGIK in 1962. Subsequently finding work at the Moldova Film Studio and making his directorial debut with the revolutionary Wait for Us at Dawn (1963), it wasn't long before Loteanu transferred to Mosfilm, where he continued to gain a reputation as a notable filmmaker. Frequently casting beautiful women in his films -- and often falling in love with them -- even his detractors couldn't deny Loteanu's effective use of the frame. And with such elegant films as Gypsy Camp Vanishes Into the Blue (1975) and My Tender and Affectionate Beast (1977), he began to garner international accolades. Working through the early '90s, Loteanu's final film was 1993's The Shell (aka Skorlupa). He died April 18, 2003, in Moscow at the age of 66.