“I Matter”, interview with director Alina Şerban and producer Carla Fotea

I Matter by director Alina Şerban, presented in Venice Spotlight at the Venice Film Festival, explores the life of Rebecca, a Roma girl growing up within Romania’s child protection system, drawing on Şerban’s own experiences. Alina Şerban and Carla Fotea, the film’s producer, discuss the complex process of transforming lived realities into compelling cinema that aims to foster understanding and challenge stereotypes.

The personal journey behind “I Matter”

Şerban explains that her childhood was initially privileged before she experienced life within a Roma community and a children’s home, which profoundly shaped her perspective. She emphasizes that her goal was not to tell only her story but to incorporate the voices of others she worked with, including young people from orphanages. Her research involved creating short documentaries and theatre pieces to better understand what her younger self needed to hear, ultimately weaving these insights into the film’s fabric. Şerban highlights that I Matter is a multi-layered narrative, built from diverse perspectives, to enrich its emotional depth and authenticity.

Navigating cultural representation and unlearning discrimination

Şerban discusses the importance of self-awareness in storytelling, especially when it involves marginalized communities. She reflects on her own process of unlearning stereotypes and shame associated with her Roma identity, which she previously internalized due to harmful portrayals in media. Her wants to present a humanized image of Romani people, moving away from exoticized stereotypes and instead offering a nuanced portrayal that allows for multiple identities within Roma culture.

The collaborative and ethical approach to production

Fotea shares that the production process spanned over four years, during which the team closely collaborated with young people from Romania’s child protection system. The team grappled with questions of cultural appropriation and the ethics of storytelling, ultimately supporting Şerban‘s vision while respecting the community’s voice.

 

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