Impact Days Catalogue
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By Anelise Salan and Anelise Salan

Forbidden

Interzis
IMPACT DAYS

Anelise, a 44-year-old gay woman in Romania, experiences the harsh limitations of her rights when her girlfriend gives her a ring. Realizing she cannot have a legally recognized family, she sues Romania at the European Court of Human Rights, joined by twenty other same-sex couples—making it the largest LGBT case in the Court’s history. To proceed, they must obtain written refusals from local authorities, a deeply humiliating process foreshadowing a painful battle.Her fight is intertwined with her relationship, as her girlfriend, the film’s cinematographer, captures their intimate domestic life. Yet, the strain of fighting a hostile system takes its toll. Tensions mount, leading to frequent arguments, and ultimately, the couple breaks up. Anelise spirals into anxiety but finds the courage to continue, documenting her journey as she awaits a life-changing verdict. When it arrives in their favor, she feels victorious but hollow. Now, she faces the question: after everything, will she have the strength to open herself to love again?

Sections : Impact Days, Impact Days
Country : Romania
Original language : Romanian
Directors
Anelise Salan
Anelise Salan (Romania)
Producers
Anelise Salan
Cristina Iordache
Anelise Salan (Romania)
The L Studio Film
Completion
October 2024
Impact Statement
We hope to reach a homophobic audience to help them understand that gay people are not that different, as well as get State authorities to understand why same-sex families need protection. We would also like our film to speak to LGBT teenagers who are afraid/ashamed of their sexual orientation, parents of gay people who can identify with the main character’s parents, and CEO’s of major international companies that are still uncomfortable with having LGBT employees. The film needs to be shown to different types of audiences: theatrical, schools, public human rights events, public television, corporate conferences.
The personal story of what it takes to fight for equal marriage rights might help authorities understand the need for a law that protects all type of families in Romania.
Impact Goals
  1. To pressure the Parliament to vote for a protective law for gay families.
  2. To raise public awareness about the challenges gay families face, among them insurance, medical and legal issues.
  3. To make Romanian society more empathic to the LGBT community. Gay couples are just like any other couples.
  4. To encourage other gay people to come out.
  5. To help parents with gay teenagers.
  6. To weaken the stereotipe aroung gay people.
  7. To show the similarities between a heterosexual couple and a same sex one.
  8. To show what the lack of protection can bring to a family.
Impact Strategy
  • Host private screenings for politicians and public institutions.
  • Get celebrities/vloggers/social media influencers to talk/write about the film.
  • Organize events and conferences on the issue wherever the film is presented.
  • Show the film in universities, public institutions and companies that have gay employees.
  • Host special screening to different type of audience: politicians, local authorities, local institutions, universities.
  • National caravan for screening the film in rural areas.
Contact
Primary contact
Anelise Salan (Romania): essilena@gmail.com
Participant present at the Impact Days
Anelise Salan (Romania)

NGOs / Organisations
Accept
Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce

NGOs / Organisations
Accept
Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce