Moldova - Lost in Transition
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- If you need translation, please turn on SUBTITLES in the player (next to the settings button) or the TRANSCRIPT (button below the player).
This is the story of a country struggling to overcome the steepest economic decline any society ever experienced in peacetime.
The filmmakers meet musicians and activists, communists and secessionist, Europhiles, young urbanites and desperate pensioners, in a society caught between the EU in the West and an increasingly authoritarian East.
As Moldova develops a clearer sense of where it wants to go as a country it deserves to be taken into account elsewhere in Europe, now more than ever.
I was born and raised in Chisinau, but my family relocated to United States when I was 13. It kills me watching what has happened to the beautiful country of Moldova in the last 20 years. Having to spend many summers in the one of the southern villages of Moldova, my heart is aching for the residents left behind in those areas, who are left suffering during the deterioration of their past way of life.
While the collective narrative is that Moldova, as a country, cannot decide who it really is, we must take into account all facts leading to the present mess in that region. Moldova, since it was ever recognized as such, was always deeply rooted in the Romanian culture. You can see it in its folklore and you can see it when you study its history. However, after World War 2, Moldova unwillingly has been set on a path to its collapse. While under the Soviet Union in mid 20th century, Moldova was able to grow substantially. There was stability in the economy and people truly lived lavishly in those times. Although short-lived, it was a really good time being under the support of Soviet Union. However, the progression was abruptly interrupted when the Soviet Union fell apart and Moldova declared its independence in '91. I remember that day, I was 5 when that happened. In the next 9 years, before I moved to United States, I witness the most painful transformation of my country's condition, culture and status quo. Moldova, was no longer able to operate and sustain itself without the communistic mechanism, setting the entire country into a downward spin, unable to catch its fall.
While independent, Moldova is simply too small to sustain itself. I keep hearing people from Moldova comparing their current way of life to the Soviet Union times, but there is no denying that there is no going back to how it was. Those times were nothing but a short-lived dream and we/they must look into the future in order to restore the country. Many people there still cling to the idea that joining Russia will restore the country to how it used to be, but that is simply not possible. Having Ukraine in the East, will never allow a direct access to Russia and we know that Ukraine will never become Russian, at least not in the foreseeable future. However, when we look to the West, we see our big sister, Romania.
I don't agree with Voronin's ultimatum of always moving forward. If you walk and hit a wall, why keeping banging your head against it and not just turn around and go a different direction? It is this way of thinking that keeps Moldova a prisoner of its own jail.
The moment Moldova eliminates the idea of joining the Russian Federation from its very short list of solutions, it will be the moment it will be able to make necessary steps into solving its ever-growing problem of identity. The faith in Russian Federation coming in and acting as the savior is quickly fading. I am happy that the direction of looking collectively West is rapidly growing and I may be optimistic but the recent pain endured by the people there will be the price paid for the people of the future living better.
In conclusion, I don't know what is the best way of going about while thinking West. Joining Romania imposes its own set of problems because it's not like Romania prospers per-say. Staying independent and joining the European Union can only benefit a country if it is somewhat stable, but I believe Moldova is too small to gain stability on its own terms, even while part of the EU. But I do know one thing, Moldova will always have wine in its blood, not vodka. Joining Romania may appear at first as not an immediate solution, but on the long run, it is a companionship that will bring water to the old roots and a new tree of life will break the ground. In the future, Moldova will have a hell of a story to tell of how it got abducted, dumped, lost and finally brought back to life.
My heart will always be with Moldova. Thanks for reading.
I've met may immigrants from this country , and they are such lovely gentle people .
I am from Italy, and we always had a big moldavian, bulgarian, romanian and ucrainian immigration here. As far I can tell, you are nice people. And if you guys are searching for a better life working abroad, you are welcome here in Italy. Grazie ed arrivederci.
This documentary answered so many questions I had about Moldova. Thanks for putting it up here. I wish there were English subtitles but other than that it was very good.
We are lucky to be visiting Moldova right now, we find the place to be beautiful, the people are gracious, positive and wonderful and we wish this country a great future of peace and harmony. Great innovation can come from a source of vulnerability, I hope Moldova imitates the message of the band that ended this program and prospers into the future.
My parents were born in Moldova I was born in the USA but know my dad is businessmen and I think people, in that country learn a lot just for living there they learn how to survive in hard conditions
Great documentary! How I wish people, especially the elderly ones, didn't have to face such a hard life!
I think everyone in Europe tends to see Belarus and Moldova as the saddest places in Europe. From this video, the contrast between the dissatisfaction of the old people and the will to change of the young is clear. I believe that the new generations will make Moldova a better place!
the problem is youngsters don't see any potential in staying in Moldova, and Moldova is facing a lot of brain drain issues, most talented youth leave this contry for better opportunities abroad. So I don't this is only posibile if there will be created opportunities first.
I am from Moldova and all you said in this short movie is true
Not too bad of a documentary..considering this is the only one available!
I honestly don't see why the orthodox churches are treated like the most important thing in the world in Moldova. Why, in a country where parents are struggling to buy their children enough food, is the churches decorated with gold? Why do the parents, struggling to pay rent, are donating money to churches to buy more gold? I believe in God. I understand people donate to make God happy and to hope that he will bring wealth to this corrupt country but God wouldn't want this. Anyway, I hope Moldova will once again be a better country soon
Gentlemen, when you make a documentary, start with Moldova was a Romanian principality for 450 years, founded by Romanian leaders Dragos Vodă and Bogdan of Cuhea, rulers from Maramureş Voivodeship.
Then, in 1812, east part of Moldova was annexed by Russia and was colonized with Bulgarians, Gagauz and Russians for over 100 years, Romanian books wore burn by Russian church, Romanian churches closed, Romanian language forbidden.
Then was a part of Romania for 24 years, until was annexed by Communist Russia and colonized again .
So please don't start with "Moldova was a part of Russian Empire", is a idiot sentence, when Moldova existed, Russian Empire was under Mongol rule :))
What's said is that the young Moldovans are placing all their hopes in the EU, but with the exception of Germany (also perhaps the Czech Republic, Poland), EU countries as a whole are not thriving. Look at Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and France.
@xekul: the band's name is Zdob si Zdub
As an American living in a small town in CZ for ten years off and on I've set my sights on Moldova next fall to see how it works out for a few months at least. Any ideas on a small town (20-30,000 people) within a couple of hours of Chisneau that you would suggest? I drive a taxi in San Francisco six months of the year, save and come back here for six months every year but I consider CZ my home base, and
so I wouldn't work but would be happy to volunteer for anything related to ESL. Let me know, it looks like a nation that's slowly on the up.
I guess Orhei would be the closest town to Chişinău. In any case, don't go to Transnistria 'cause it's technically another country that nobody agrees is another country, so you might not be treated nicely over there. I know of one guy that went there and border patrol refused to give him back his passport. So, don't go there.
Iruth27 thanks mate, will look into it! F
Freddy Marcel-Marcum I would actually go to Transnistria. Its a very unique place and as long as you abide by the rules of entering their "country" and report to the police station and whatever else you're supposed to do, you'll be fine and get to experience a culture far, far from home. I was in Moldova last year but never got that far east. Next time I get the opportunity to go back to eastern europe, I'll be going there. Also if I may add, Romania is one of my favourite travel destinations. Beautiful scenery, distinct culture and the nicest people I have ever met. Anywhere. Period.
Ze kterého města jseš?
Looks like more was filmed in Prednistrovie than Moldova.
I from moldova
They forgot to mention zdob si zdub represented Moldova twice at eurovision and one made the top 5??
why no subtitles when someone is talking in Moldovan language?
activate the closed captions (it's the CC button on the right)
Is there an English subtitled version of this video?
Just reunite with Romania!
thanks for this documentary.. i am very interested in these lesser known countries in the world. it's a shame that these countries have to still live under the yoke of russia..even though they are indepenent
They should of called this Film Lost in translation.
subtitles for moldovan language speakers ?
Y'know, we could use some subtitles
I think in the future Moldova will unite with Romania. Trans Dinyester, Russian dominated part also include this unification. At that time most of the local Russian migrate to Russian territory or Ukraine..
I don't think so. Romania is in the EU and NATO. Russia's economy is way to weak to go against them.
and not one mention of human trafficking!
doamna rodica ^^
before you make a documentary, dear foreigners, please try to document a little that there is no "Moldovan language" it's just like saying that germans from Munich don't speak german, they speak Bavarian.... and know what? between pure German and Bavarian there are bigger differences than between the accent of Romanian in Moldova and the rest part of Romania...
Moldova's official language, as written in the Constitution since 2013, is Romanian... it has been changed... And historically it is a Romanian Land!! And There is massive propaganda for unification. The land has been russificated during the Soviet Union after the russians occupied it!! That's the reason that in Basarabia (Republic of Moldova) there are many russian speakers, but there are still 70% Romanians... It used to be a part of medieval Moldova ruled by Stephan the Great... today only the eastern part remained in its mother land... Romanians untill 1918 used to live in 3 different provinces which unified in 1918 to form today's Romania (with the exceptions of this land Basarabia and other lands from former Moldavia taken by the russians)...
transnistria to russia, moldova to romania. obvious solution. however i can't imagine eu will be keen on millions of moldovans coming to work in european capitals, undercutting local labour. unless they are stupid they should've learned their lessons from poland. nobody benefited from poland's inclusion into the eu apart from the polish who got rich at everybody elses expense.
Russian economy is 3 times bigger than Netherlands economy. Its the size of Italian or Indian economy and little less than UK, but has better growing rates.
Whoever did the subtitles either clearly doesn't speak any Russian, or has no idea of currency exchange rates. What a massive exaggeration on their part. It really pisses me off to see obvious lies, which are so unnecessary, given that the situation is so tragic anyway.
In regards to when the old ladies in the village are talking about how expensive life is;
Medication - 70 rubles; £0.70
Electricity - 100 rubles; £1 'to turn on the lights' (as she actually says)
Gas - 600 rubles; £6
After having recognized the errors in this 'translation', I really doubt the reliability of the subtitles, in any scene in which Romanian was spoken. Ridiculous.
this story about moldova is similar to what Ukraine is going through right now
This information is very laconic, the proportion of romanians(moldovans) is way bigger than 2/3rds portrayed here.
I want a msldovan friendddf
im from moldova c: but im on my dads acount im gabi :D
Are they talk Ukrainian in the villages ?
No Russian
russian, the ukrainians in moldova are russian speaking
they talk russian and romanian with an moldavian accent
Moldova won't survive against Russia even if it joins Romania.
Wouldn't it be offensive for many moldovians to be associated with roamanians?
he he..smart..who associate them with roamanians?
Russia is no much for EU and NATO. Russia's economy is the size of Holland and population less than Pakistan. Russia needs serious reforms now and not loosing money on its military, Chechnia etc.
thin skinned?
Interesting documentary. But there is a bit propaganda. For example, if their parliament was burned, it was during anti russian movement. They had the motive to do it. But in doc they say, both sides blame each other. Now that is a lot of shit. Those young wanted to be moore western, but they actually destroyed their democracy. It reminds me of those arab spring countries, where roters thought, that democracy is brought by kalashnikov.