Learning a new language can be an exciting journey, and one of the most enjoyable ways to do so is by watching movies. Romanian is a beautiful Romance language with a rich cultural heritage, and Romanian cinema offers a fantastic avenue for language learners to immerse themselves in the language. This article will explore some of the best movies to learn Romanian, providing you with a comprehensive guide to enhance your language skills while enjoying compelling storytelling.

Why Learn Romanian through Movies?

Before diving into the list of movies, it’s essential to understand why learning Romanian through films can be highly effective.

1. Immersive Experience: Watching movies in Romanian exposes you to native speakers’ natural pace, pronunciation, and intonation.

2. Cultural Insight: Films offer a window into Romanian culture, traditions, and societal norms.

3. Contextual Learning: Movies provide contextual usage of vocabulary and grammar, making it easier to remember and apply what you learn.

4. Visual and Auditory Learning: The combination of visual cues and auditory input helps reinforce language learning.

Now, let’s delve into the best movies to learn Romanian.

1. “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” (2007)

Directed by Cristian Mungiu, “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” is a critically acclaimed Romanian drama that won the Palme d’Or at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot: The film is set in the late 1980s, during the final years of Communist Romania. It follows two university students, Otilia and Gabita, as they navigate the harrowing experience of arranging an illegal abortion.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Realistic Dialogue: The film features natural, everyday conversations, making it an excellent resource for learning colloquial Romanian.
– Emotional Depth: The intense emotions portrayed in the film help you understand the nuances of the language.
– Cultural Context: The movie provides a glimpse into Romania’s past, offering historical and cultural insights.

2. “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu” (2005)

Directed by Cristi Puiu, “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu” is a dark comedy-drama that is often credited with kickstarting the Romanian New Wave cinema movement.

Plot: The film follows the journey of Mr. Lazarescu, a 63-year-old man who falls seriously ill and is shuffled from one hospital to another in search of medical care.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Medical Terminology: The film introduces viewers to medical vocabulary and phrases.
– Everyday Interactions: The interactions between Mr. Lazarescu and healthcare professionals offer practical language learning opportunities.
– Social Commentary: The film provides insight into the Romanian healthcare system and societal attitudes.

3. “Graduation” (2016)

Directed by Cristian Mungiu, “Graduation” is a gripping drama that explores moral dilemmas and the complexities of modern Romanian society.

Plot: The film revolves around a father who is willing to go to great lengths to ensure his daughter passes her final exams and secures a scholarship to study abroad.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Academic Vocabulary: The film features language related to education and exams.
– Family Dynamics: The interactions within the family provide valuable conversational phrases and expressions.
– Ethical Discussions: The movie’s exploration of moral issues offers advanced language learners opportunities to understand and discuss complex topics.

4. “Police, Adjective” (2009)

Directed by Corneliu Porumboiu, “Police, Adjective” is a thought-provoking crime drama that delves into the intricacies of language and law enforcement.

Plot: The film follows Cristi, a young police officer, as he wrestles with his conscience while conducting a surveillance operation on a teenager suspected of drug dealing.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Legal Terminology: The film introduces viewers to legal vocabulary and concepts.
– Philosophical Discussions: The movie’s focus on language and semantics offers advanced learners an opportunity to explore linguistic nuances.
– Slow Pacing: The deliberate pacing allows learners to catch and understand every word and sentence.

5. “Beyond the Hills” (2012)

Directed by Cristian Mungiu, “Beyond the Hills” is a powerful drama based on real events that occurred in a Romanian monastery.

Plot: The film tells the story of two young women, Voichita and Alina, who grew up together in an orphanage. Alina returns from Germany to persuade Voichita to leave the monastery where she now lives, leading to a series of tragic events.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Religious Vocabulary: The film provides exposure to religious terms and phrases.
– Emotional Conversations: The intense emotional exchanges offer insights into expressing feelings in Romanian.
– Cultural Context: The movie sheds light on Romanian religious practices and rural life.

6. “Child’s Pose” (2013)

Directed by Calin Peter Netzer, “Child’s Pose” is a compelling drama that won the Golden Bear at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival.

Plot: The film centers on Cornelia, a wealthy and controlling mother, who goes to great lengths to protect her son, Barbu, after he is involved in a car accident that kills a young boy.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Family Vocabulary: The film offers a rich source of language related to family relationships and dynamics.
– Legal and Medical Terms: The plot introduces viewers to legal and medical terminology.
– Emotional Nuances: The intense emotional scenes help learners grasp the subtleties of the Romanian language.

7. “Aferim!” (2015)

Directed by Radu Jude, “Aferim!” is a historical drama set in 19th-century Wallachia. The film won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival.

Plot: The story follows a local policeman, Costandin, and his son as they search for a runaway gypsy slave in the Romanian countryside.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Historical Vocabulary: The film provides exposure to archaic Romanian terms and phrases.
– Regional Dialects: The dialogue features various regional accents and dialects, offering a broader understanding of the language.
– Cultural Insight: The movie offers a glimpse into 19th-century Romanian society and customs.

8. “California Dreamin’ (Endless)” (2007)

Directed by Cristian Nemescu, “California Dreamin’ (Endless)” is a tragicomedy that was awarded the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot: The film is based on a true story and follows a NATO train transporting military equipment through Romania during the Kosovo War. The train is held up in a small village by the local stationmaster, leading to a series of comedic and dramatic events.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Military and Political Terminology: The film introduces viewers to language related to military and political contexts.
– Regional Dialogue: The interactions between villagers and NATO personnel provide diverse language exposure.
– Humor and Satire: The comedic elements help learners understand colloquial and humorous expressions.

9. “The Treasure” (2015)

Directed by Corneliu Porumboiu, “The Treasure” is a comedy-drama that explores themes of greed and human nature.

Plot: The film follows Costi, a family man who teams up with his neighbor, Adrian, to search for a hidden treasure supposedly buried in Adrian’s grandparents’ garden.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Everyday Vocabulary: The film features practical, everyday conversations.
– Humorous Dialogue: The comedic elements help learners understand and use humor in Romanian.
– Simple Plot: The straightforward storyline makes it easier for beginners to follow the dialogue.

10. “Occident” (2002)

Directed by Cristian Mungiu, “Occident” is a dark comedy that explores the lives of several interconnected characters in post-communist Romania.

Plot: The film weaves together three stories, each highlighting different aspects of life in Romania and the desire of many Romanians to emigrate to the West.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Conversational Romanian: The film features natural, everyday conversations.
– Cultural Context: The movie provides insight into the social and economic challenges faced by Romanians after the fall of communism.
– Humor and Satire: The dark comedic elements offer an understanding of Romanian humor and satire.

11. “Sieranevada” (2016)

Directed by Cristi Puiu, “Sieranevada” is a family drama that takes place almost entirely within the confines of a small apartment.

Plot: The film follows a family gathering to commemorate the death of their patriarch, leading to a series of revelations and conflicts.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Family and Social Vocabulary: The film provides a wealth of language related to family dynamics and social interactions.
– Intense Conversations: The emotional and intense dialogues offer valuable language learning opportunities.
– Cultural Insight: The movie sheds light on Romanian customs and traditions related to mourning.

12. “If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle” (2010)

Directed by Florin Serban, “If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle” is a gripping drama that won the Silver Bear at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival.

Plot: The film follows Silviu, a young inmate in a juvenile detention center, as he prepares for his release and faces a series of personal challenges.

Language Learning Benefits:
– Prison Vocabulary: The film introduces viewers to language related to the prison system.
– Emotional Intensity: The intense emotional scenes help learners understand and express complex emotions in Romanian.
– Social Commentary: The movie provides insight into the Romanian justice system and societal issues.

Tips for Learning Romanian through Movies

To maximize your language learning experience, consider the following tips:

1. Use Subtitles: Start with subtitles in your native language and gradually switch to Romanian subtitles as you become more comfortable.

2. Repeat and Rewind: Don’t hesitate to pause, rewind, and repeat scenes to catch difficult words and phrases.

3. Take Notes: Keep a notebook handy to jot down new vocabulary and expressions.

4. Practice Speaking: Try to mimic the actors’ pronunciation and intonation to improve your speaking skills.

5. Watch with Native Speakers: If possible, watch the movies with native Romanian speakers who can help explain difficult parts and provide additional context.

Conclusion

Learning Romanian through movies is not only an effective method but also an enjoyable one. The films listed in this article offer a diverse range of genres, themes, and language learning opportunities. By immersing yourself in Romanian cinema, you can enhance your language skills, gain cultural insights, and enjoy compelling storytelling. So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and let these movies transport you into the world of Romanian language and culture.