Clouds of Chernobyl

“Clouds of Chernobyl” is a film dedicated to the generation of our parents. Set in 1986, it portrays the harrowing experiences of women in northern Bukovina, Iasi, Vrancea, and Tulcea, who were compelled to undergo abortions under brutal conditions despite its illegality. This period also coincided with the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which led to heightened radiation exposure in northeastern Romania, resulting in an increase in birth deformities. The Romanian Communist Party vehemently criticized women who underwent abortions and vilified children born with deformities, relegating them to centers where they were neglected and left to perish, away from their parents’ care.

The film’s central character, Irina, portrayed by Isabela Neamțu, reflects the intense moral quandary faced by these women. Irina’s story revolves around the agonizing choice of risking imprisonment through abortion, enduring a pregnancy with the possibility of giving birth to a deformed child, or safeguarding her child at the cost of her mother-in-law’s freedom. While the real-life counterpart succumbed to these pressures, Irina’s narrative in the film diverges, showcasing her as a resilient heroine who, despite significant sacrifices and hurdles, opts for freedom.

Ligia Ciornei