Romanian Women Abroad as Depicted in Cinematography
Romanian Women Abroad as Depicted in Cinematography

Summary/Abstract: This paper focusses on the image of Romanian women abroad in contemporary Romanian cinema, who have become a mirror for Aeneas, the mythic hero. Just as Aeneas set out on a journey to fulfil his destiny and find a better life, many Romanian women have been and are embarking on quests to find better paid jobs and a stable economic situation. More specifically, this paper analyses three movies which refer to these changes in Romanian society: Occident (2002) directed by Cristian Mungiu, Cealalta Irina [The Other Irene] directed by Andrei Gruzsniczki, and Francesca directed by Bobby Paunescu, both released in 2009. I shall deconstruct gender roles in these movies, demonstrating that women are not passive, but rather are among those trying to earn money. In other words, the part of the victim – in these films, in the “real life” they depict – is not always played by women. In carrying out this analysis, I will also discuss the impact of multiculturalism and how it affects relationships within the country as well as on the continent.

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