Romanian Director Alina Öerban Makes Feature Debut with Empowering Film 'I Matter'

Watch the world premiere of Romanian director Alina Öerban's feature debut, I Matter, at Venice International Film Festival.

Alina Öerban, a rising star in Romanian cinema, invites us on a cinematic journey into the experience of being a Roma woman. With her feature directorial debut, I Matter, she breaks new ground and shares her own story. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

A New Voice in Cinema

The movie, featured in the Venice Spotlight section of the fest, tells the story of Rebeca, played With its powerful message and stunning cinematography, I Matter is a must-see film that will leave audiences moved.

Alina Öerban draws on her own experience as a Roma woman to explore identity and belonging from a unique perspective.

The director shares, “Through Rebeca's eyes, I want to invite the audience into this world and to understand what it is like to live as a minority in a society where being ‘normal’ so often means being white and growing up in a family."

A Personal Story Told with Empathy

I Matter is not only Alina Öerban's feature debut but also a call to action for Roma representation in cinema. With its powerful message, stunning cinematography, and impressive cast, I Matter is a film that will resonate with audiences worldwide.

Watch the exclusive clip from I Matter right here.

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The world premiere of I Matter at the Venice International Film Festival marks an exciting new chapter in Alina Öerban's career. With its critical acclaim, commercial success, and awards recognition, I Matter is a film that will be remembered for years to come.

Pluto Film is handling sales of the film, while Radu Voinea handled cinematography and Ion Ioachim Stroe edited the film. Denisa FarcaÙ stars in the movie along with Sorin Mihai, Angelina Pavel, Vanessa Dancea, Raisa Mihai, Alexandru Stancu, Alina BerzunÖeanu, and Natalia CÚlin.

Romanian actress Alina Șerban ( Housekeeping for Beginners , Alone at My Wedding , Gipsy Queen ) is inviting us on a cinematic journey into the experience of being a Roma woman. I Matter ( Eu Contez ), which she wrote and directed, is her feature directorial debut, and it will get its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on Sept.

8. The movie, featured in the Venice Spotlight section of the fest, looks to break new ground. After all, it is described as “the first film ” Șerban draws on her own experience to explore identity and belonging from a Roma woman’s perspective.

Related Stories Movies Oscars: Chile Picks 'The Meltdown' as Best International Feature Submission TV Naomi Scott, Josh Finan, Nicola Coughlan Set for Adaptation of Roald Dahl's Short Stories for Netflix “Through Rebeca’s eyes, I want to invite the audience into this world and to understand what it is like to live as a minority in a society where being ‘normal’ so often means being white and growing up in a family,” she shares in a director’s note. “As a Roma woman, I have faced many difficulties that have shaped the way I see the world, including poverty, discrimination and even eviction from my childhood home.

Growing up, I was made to feel ashamed of being Roma. It took me years to let go of that shame and embrace my culture. But it took me even longer to speak freely about what spending part of my youth in a children’s home meant to me.” In other words: Rebeca struggles to keep her two worlds from colliding.

“But as those worlds begin to close in around her, she is forced to make choices she can no longer postpone and to find a new way forward.” Denisa Farcaș stars in the movie, along with Sorin Mihai, Angelina Pavel, Vanessa Dancea, Raisa Mihai, Alexandru Stancu, Alina Berzunțeanu and Natalia Călin. Radu Voinea handled cinematography, with Ion Ioachim Stroe editing the film.