Graduation

Graduation is a Romanian drama directed by Cristian Mungiu, which tells the story of a father’s efforts to ensure that his daughter, Eliza, can leave Romania and pursue a better life abroad. As Eliza faces a traumatic event that jeopardizes her future, her father becomes embroiled in a morally complex situation, pressured to make difficult choices to protect his daughter's future. Graduation explores themes of corruption, ethics, and the lengths to which individuals will go for the sake of family. The film is praised for its grounded, realistic portrayal of contemporary Romanian society, as well as its intricate character development. Graduation won the Best Director award at Cannes, further cementing Mungiu’s reputation as a filmmaker known for his hard-hitting social dramas.