Housekeeping for Beginners

Goran Stolevski's film Housekeeping for Beginners could spawn multiple narratives, each exploring themes like patchwork families, LGBTQ+ challenges, ethnic tensions, racism, mourning, and the concept of family—both the one we are born into and the one where we find belonging. In this vibrant comedy-drama, Stolevski intertwines these diverse themes with energy and avoids cliché. The film stars Anamaria Marinca, known for her exceptional performance in Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. She plays Dita, who lives with her partner Suada (Alina Șerban) and her two daughters in a house that functions more like a commune than a traditional family home. They share their space with Toni and his changing partners, as well as two young lesbians seeking refuge. The film's lighthearted tone shifts when Suada passes away, leaving Dita—a pragmatic, independent woman who never envisioned motherhood—to care for her daughters. Amidst grief, Dita confronts societal norms to preserve her unconventional family.