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In Bacau, Romania, Georgiana Halmac will be 15 this winter and at this precarious age she must become the carer for her six siblings. Her stoicism and humour is a lesson in survival.
Filmed over a number of months Waiting for August is an immensely personal story, offering an honest glimpse into the complicated everyday reality of an incredibly strong young girl. Directed by Romanian Teodora Ana Mihai, this award winning new documentary is a remarkable debut feature, highlighting the growing problem of economic migration in Romania.
Georgiana Halmac will be 15 this winter and at this most precarious of ages she has been thrust into the role of carer for her six siblings. Her mother, like many others in Romania, is forced to spend the winter working abroad to earn money. This leaves Georgiana to care for her brothers and sisters, they must survive the long winter in a tiny flat without a parent or guardian to help. With only occasional phone calls from her mother, Georgiana is forced to accept the responsibilities of adulthood whilst also coping with the travails of being a teenager.
Observationally shot with intimate access, Waiting for August reveals the humour and ingenuity of these children’s ability to cope, while also realizing the fragility of their situation. This profoundly moving documentary is not one to miss.