Romina

Romina is living her youth in Bologna: she is following her passion in boxing, helps out her mother who works as a cleaner, and at night, she hangs out with her friends at the edges of town. Coaches encourage the gifted young woman and she excels in competitions. Everything seems to be going well until Romina’s mother, **Berta**, is imprisoned, shocking the whole family. Romina is suddenly responsible for the care of her little brother and burdened with the family’s financial troubles. There are no easy solutions on a waiter’s job that pays three euros an hour. The coaches wonder where Romina has disappeared to, as the harsh realities of life force the young woman to leave the boxing rings.

Boxing films have long traditions in cinematic history, and this debut by director duo **Valerio Lo Muzio** and **Michael Petrolini** is an interesting addition to this tradition. _Romina_ brings the tropes of boxing movies to today’s urban Bologna, where the battles are fought in the midst of a precarious work life and the post-pandemic uncertainty. In the sport, there is a strong sense of community and mutual support amongst its members. But what to do when even the future of the boxing gym is threatened?

Martta Tuppurainen (translated by Mira Sairanen)