Forbidden
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?
The L Studio Film