Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but incorporating engaging methods like watching movies can significantly enhance the learning experience. Movies provide context, cultural nuances, and colloquial expressions that textbooks often overlook. Here are the top 10 movies that can help improve your Romanian language skills.

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

Director: Cristian Mungiu

Genre: Drama

Overview: This critically acclaimed film is set in Communist Romania and follows the story of two university students who navigate the harrowing process of procuring an illegal abortion. The dialogue is rich in colloquial Romanian, offering learners an excellent opportunity to understand everyday expressions and intonations.

Why It’s Useful: The film provides authentic conversational Romanian, with a focus on emotional and dramatic dialogue. It also gives learners a glimpse into Romanian history and cultural context, enriching the language learning experience.

2. Graduation (2016)

Director: Cristian Mungiu

Genre: Drama

Overview: This film revolves around a doctor in a small Romanian town who is trying to secure a better future for his daughter by ensuring she gets a scholarship to study abroad. The movie explores themes of corruption, morality, and familial obligations.

Why It’s Useful: “Graduation” features formal and informal language, making it a useful tool for understanding different registers of Romanian. The film’s realistic dialogue will help learners pick up on nuanced expressions and everyday vocabulary.

3. Child’s Pose (2013)

Director: Călin Peter Netzer

Genre: Drama

Overview: This gripping drama tells the story of a wealthy Romanian mother who uses her influence to protect her son after he is involved in a car accident that kills a child. The film delves into themes of power, corruption, and maternal love.

Why It’s Useful: “Child’s Pose” offers a mix of formal and colloquial Romanian, along with a wide range of vocabulary related to legal and familial matters. The film’s intense emotional scenes provide context for understanding how language is used to convey deep feelings and complex situations.

4. Police, Adjective (2009)

Director: Corneliu Porumboiu

Genre: Drama, Crime

Overview: This film follows a young police officer in a small Romanian town who grapples with his conscience and the ethical implications of his job while investigating a minor drug offense. The film is known for its slow pace and focus on the nuances of language and communication.

Why It’s Useful: “Police, Adjective” is a fantastic resource for learners interested in legal and bureaucratic Romanian. The film’s emphasis on language and its role in society makes it particularly valuable for understanding different registers and the subtleties of Romanian dialogue.

5. Beyond the Hills (2012)

Director: Cristian Mungiu

Genre: Drama

Overview: This film is based on the true story of a young woman who returns to a Romanian Orthodox convent to reconnect with her childhood friend, only to become involved in a tragic exorcism. The movie explores themes of faith, friendship, and authority.

Why It’s Useful: “Beyond the Hills” offers a unique opportunity to hear Romanian in a religious and rural context. The film’s dialogue includes religious terminology and expressions, making it a valuable resource for learners interested in understanding different facets of Romanian culture and language.

6. If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle (2010)

Director: Florin Șerban

Genre: Drama

Overview: This film tells the story of a young man in a juvenile detention center who is about to be released, but his plans are disrupted when he learns that his mother has returned to take his younger brother away. The film explores themes of freedom, family, and rebellion.

Why It’s Useful: “If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle” provides a look into the Romanian juvenile justice system and the language associated with it. The film’s dialogue is a mix of formal and informal language, making it a useful tool for understanding different social contexts and registers.

7. The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)

Director: Cristi Puiu

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Overview: This dark comedy follows an elderly man who is taken on a nightmarish journey through the Romanian healthcare system after falling ill. The film provides a satirical look at the inefficiencies and challenges of the medical system.

Why It’s Useful: “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu” offers a wealth of medical and colloquial vocabulary, making it an excellent resource for learners interested in healthcare and everyday language. The film’s realistic dialogue and satirical tone provide context for understanding how language is used in different social and professional settings.

8. Aferim! (2015)

Director: Radu Jude

Genre: Historical Drama

Overview: Set in 19th century Wallachia, this film follows a local policeman who is tasked with capturing a runaway gypsy slave. The film explores themes of power, prejudice, and justice in a historical context.

Why It’s Useful: “Aferim!” provides a unique opportunity to hear historical Romanian, including archaic terms and expressions. The film’s dialogue is rich in cultural and historical references, making it a valuable resource for learners interested in understanding the evolution of the Romanian language and its cultural context.

9. Tuesday, After Christmas (2010)

Director: Radu Muntean

Genre: Drama

Overview: This film tells the story of a man who is torn between his wife and his lover during the Christmas holiday season. The movie explores themes of love, fidelity, and personal conflict.

Why It’s Useful: “Tuesday, After Christmas” offers a mix of formal and informal language, making it a useful tool for understanding different registers of Romanian. The film’s realistic dialogue and emotional scenes provide context for understanding how language is used to convey deep feelings and complex situations.

10. Sieranevada (2016)

Director: Cristi Puiu

Genre: Drama

Overview: This film takes place almost entirely within a family apartment where relatives have gathered to commemorate the death of a loved one. The movie explores themes of family dynamics, memory, and tradition.

Why It’s Useful: “Sieranevada” offers a wealth of conversational Romanian, making it an excellent resource for understanding everyday language and familial interactions. The film’s realistic dialogue and intimate setting provide context for understanding how language is used in different social and familial situations.

Tips for Using Movies to Learn Romanian

Watching movies is a fantastic way to improve your Romanian language skills, but to get the most out of this method, consider the following tips:

1. Use Subtitles Wisely: Start with subtitles in your native language to understand the plot, then switch to Romanian subtitles to match spoken and written words. Eventually, try watching without subtitles to challenge your comprehension.

2. Repeat and Rewind: Don’t hesitate to pause, rewind, and rewatch scenes. This helps reinforce vocabulary and improve your listening skills.

3. Take Notes: Keep a notebook handy to jot down new words, phrases, and expressions. Look them up later and practice using them in sentences.

4. Focus on Pronunciation: Pay attention to how words are pronounced. Mimic the actors to improve your own pronunciation and intonation.

5. Watch with a Friend: If possible, watch movies with a friend who speaks Romanian. Discussing the film in Romanian can enhance your understanding and make learning more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Incorporating movies into your Romanian language learning routine can make the process more enjoyable and effective. The films listed above offer a range of dialogues, contexts, and cultural insights that can significantly enhance your language skills. By actively engaging with the content, taking notes, and practicing regularly, you can improve your comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and immerse yourself in the world of Romanian cinema for a fun and educational experience.