The Secret of Deva (2007)

The Romanian city of Deva is famous for its medieval castle, the legendary gymnast Nadia Comaneci, and for its poverty. Deva is also famous for its sport boarding school which for decades has been training world class gymnasts. Pitic and Malina might be two of their future stars, but their way to the podium is full of deprivation. They are 8 and 9 years old. Their parents sent them to live in Deva when they were six. They train for four hours every day and spend the rest of their time in school. The filmmaker followed the girls for two years until their first and most important competition. An intimate and moving film about innocent dreams and harsh reality and with lots of merciless and sometimes bitter moments that make the viewer aware of what physical exercise really means.