LEMONADE (LUNA DE MIERE) New Auteurs

Based on a true story, this feature debut follows Mara, a young mother from Romania who is awaiting a green card. As she begins to navigate the labyrinth of modern U.S. immigration, she soon realizes that the American Dream is much darker than it seems. Corruption and abuse lie in wait for Mara and, as she fights to build a better life for her young son, we are left to wonder, at what cost? First-time feature filmmaker Ioana Uricaru studied under Romanian master (and the film’s producer) Cristian Mungiu to bring this haunting yet hopeful portrait to life. With a stellar lead performance and insight into the myriad issues affecting immigrants today, LEMONADE heralds a bold new voice in modern Romanian cinema. – Lane Kneedler