Roma Director's Venice Debut Redefines Narratives

Roma filmmaker Alina Șerban is making waves at the Venice Film Festival with the world premiere of her directorial debut, "I Matter." This significant achievement is notable as it is potentially the first feature directed by a female Roma filmmaker to screen at an A-list festival. The film itself is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from Șerban's own life experiences.

"I Matter" tells the story of a young Roma woman facing the threat of expulsion from an orphanage and the daunting task of embracing her identity to survive. The film, an expansion of Șerban's 2021 short of the same name, seeks to challenge and reframe existing narratives surrounding the Roma community.

Raised in poverty in Bucharest and having spent time in a state orphanage, Șerban defied considerable odds to pursue her passion for the arts. Her educational journey includes attending Bucharest's Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography, NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Upon returning to Romania, she developed acclaimed stage plays that championed a feminist Roma perspective, aiming to showcase the full humanity of her people.

For Șerban, the premiere at Venice represents a deeply personal and historic moment, not just for her but for the entire Roma community. She expressed gratitude and relief, acknowledging the immense pressure of being a "first" while celebrating the opportunity to share a message of dignity, celebration, and undeniable pain that deserves to be seen.