Imaginary Youth, Gen Z Film Premieres at Anonimul International Independent Film Fest

Director Ruxandra Gubernat’s feature documentary debut, VIS.VIATA (Imaginary Youth), will have another preview at the “Anonimul” International Independent Film Festival in the town of Sfantu Gheorghe in the Danube Delta, on August 15, at 12 o’clock: 15.

Conceived and produced as an exercise in understanding the realities of teenage girls, the film is an observational documentary that follows for 4 years three protagonists from different social backgrounds, at the age of their first important decisions: Una – an actress, Habet – a trapper and Stefania – a environmental activist. Between dilemmas related to the future and plans, dramas and seemingly infinite possibilities, the three teenagers open a door to a world of people big enough to be responsible for their decisions but not always big enough to be taken seriously.

“There are a lot of new things, we are a generation with needs and needs as different as possible, in a society that constantly tells us that we will understand things when we grow up. But why is my opinion not valid and as important as that of an older person like me? Why do we live in a system that invests too few funds in us (from education, to extracurricular activities, culture and so on), but still expects us to be the generation that saves the country? Why are we burdened with such a big debt when there are so many other people around who can help us and we can do this together?”, says Stefania in an interview.

The film’s topics include social pressure to succeed, own expectations and fears of failure, from the desire to emigrate, to mental health/anxiety faced by teenagers, to family problems, drug use or the impact and consequences of Covid on young people.

“I think that many young people put themselves in second place in order to align themselves with external demands and they are left with the impression that time is passing them by, that they do not have enough time for themselves. It would seem ideal if we all give up the idea that “succeeding” in life is equivalent to performing at an academic or professional level. Many young people go from one academic stage to another, enter the workforce and still feel unfulfilled. So I encourage everyone to question their beliefs about what it means to be successful in life and to ask themselves more often what they and the people around them need on an individual level. And let’s remember that wherever we are and whatever we do, we all feel lost in one way or another”, says Una.

The first documentary film about Gen Z produced in Romania is the result of a 5-year work process, the observational character imprinting a very personal imprint on the story. The footage made by the team is close to the protagonists and combined with phone footage made by the three teenagers themselves in Insta story/TikTok style, with dynamic editing and a soundtrack that is a character in itself.