I Matter first look review
When you look at a story about a teenage girl navigating the brutal landscape of institutional life, you might expect tragedy. But what unfolds in Alina Șerban’s film I Matter is something far more explosive: a vivid, sometimes hilarious, and deeply frustrating look at the systemic hurdles faced by marginalized communities.
This is a socio-realist coming-of-age drama that throws the audience directly into a constant conveyor belt of cramped institutions. The journey begins in a Bucharest prison, where the story of Rebeca, a Roma teenager, is set against the backdrop of poverty and injustice. From there, the narrative rockets through a cut-throat homeless shelter before settling into the seemingly innocent, yet intensely complex, world of an orphanage—the place Rebeca ultimately calls home.
Șerban uses these stark settings to ask the central, agonizing question: is it even possible to break free from this vicious cycle, especially when the welfare system is stacked against those who need it most? The film masterfully juxtaposes the chaos of childhood life within the orphanage—full of food fights, birthday cakes, and bunk-bed feuds—with the grim reality of their bleak backstories. Cinematographer Nona Cătușanu and editor Letiția Ștefănescu brilliantly capture this tension, contrasting the childish glimmers of hope with the inherent brutality of their existence.
The film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of life; rather, it forces the viewer to confront them. As Rebeca approaches adulthood and faces the daunting task of passing exams to avoid being dismissed by government inspectors, the narrative shifts focus onto the brick wall of bureaucracy. This exploration aligns with the concerns of many contemporary Romanian filmmakers, highlighting how complex administrative hurdles make life unlivable for those already dealing with adversity.
However, the film is not merely a bleak depiction of struggle. It possesses an undeniable spark of dynamism. The editing is brisk, the pacing is snappy, and the sequence of break-neck cuts opens up a world of jarring juxtapositions. But the true dramatic tension escalates when Rebeca is confronted by the privileges of her drama school peers. In this phase, surrounded by overprivileged actors, the film’s sharp, quippy humour begins to soften, revealing the insidious nature of anti-Roma discrimination and street-level microaggressions that haunt Rebeca’s journey.
Șerban uses this contrast to heighten the stakes. The breeziness of Rebeca’s rise as a poster girl success story suddenly sits uneasily with the film’s murkier thematic terrain. Rather than offering easy answers to the fates of the orphans, the story skillfully shifts focus, allowing the weight of the narrative to settle on Rebeca’s internal struggle. While the story teeters on the edge of sentimentality as it nears its conclusion, I Matter remains a potent and emotionally resonant showcase for its young lead, demonstrating real potential in its raw, rough-hewn vision.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
