Małgorzata Mirga-Tas’s work embodies a form of "minority feminism" that celebrates women's resilience while remaining deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. Through vivid, dynamic imagery, she offers an insider's perspective on the Roma community—portraying it as both contemporary and historically rich.
This work focuses on Alina Șerban (born 1987, Bucharest), a Romanian actress and pioneering figure in Roma feminist political theatre. Alina Șerban has played a vital role in bringing Roma stories and "herstories" into mainstream cultural discourse. Recognised as one of the most influential contemporary Roma artists, she is the first Roma woman to direct both theatre and film in Romania, and an internationally acclaimed performer. She is best known for her leading roles in "Alone at My Wedding" (Cannes, 2018) and "Gipsy Queen", the latter earning her the Best Actress Award from the German Actors Guild in 2020, along with several other distinctions.
Alina Șerban studied at the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, Tisch School of the Arts, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She is known for creating theatre and film works addressing social justice, Roma identity, and discrimination, including the acclaimed plays "I Declare at My Own Risk", "The Great Shame", and "The Best Child in the World". In 2020, she made her filmmaking debut with "Letter of Forgiveness", the first film about Roma slavery written and directed from a Roma perspective, which received multiple awards.
Her work has earned significant national and international recognition, including the Order of Cultural Merit (Romania, 2024), the Tajsa Roma Cultural Heritage Prize, numerous acting awards, festival honors, and invitations to prestigious programs such as Berlinale Talents and Young European Leaders.