Letitia Popa Schwartz (1936-2022)
Birthplace:
Romania
Born:
July 9, 1936
Died:
November 2, 2022
After making the TV film “The Dowry” in her native Romania, Letitia Popa directed a remake for the big screen and made another two films for theatrical release: “Who Calls Me?” and “On the Mainstream.” Letitia has directed and written over forty TV films and two mini-series. She also directed theatre at the prestigious National Theatre in Bucharest. Letitia immigrated to the United States with her son Toader (Ted) Micu. She married and relocated to Los Angeles where she worked under the name of Letitia Popa Schwartz directing documentaries, theatre and films. She directed “The American Dream” by Edward Albee and the “Ghetto Cabaret” written by Joshua Sobol. The show was the “Critic’s Pick” (Backstage West), “Pick of the Week” (LA Weekly) and Critic’s Choice - Garland 2002. She received a local Cable Ace nomination for the documentary “H.O.M.E.,” a Gold Medal for Best Director at the Sofia Film Festival, and twice a Special Award at the Monte Carlo Film Festival. She wrote a screenplay, “An Offering of Oranges,” inspired by a true story, and she worked with Judith Vogelsang on a documentary titled “HUMBLE BEAUTY: Skid Row Artists,” about homeless artists in Los Angeles. The film received rave reviews. FilmThreat.com called the film a "first-rate, profound documentary," with "seamless, unobtrusive filmmaking."