Room in Rome

Inside a plain hotel room in central Rome, Alba and Natasha, two women who have only just met, share a night that quickly moves beyond mere attraction. As they talk, touch, and read each other’s silences, their encounter becomes a vehicle for self revelation rather than a simple fling. The room narrows the world to their voices, breath, and glances, turning ordinary gestures into moments of vulnerability and tension. The film unfolds in real time, inviting the audience to observe how longing can redraw boundaries and illuminate what each woman seeks from love, companionship, and acceptance. Shot with frames and light, the film prioritizes dialogue over spectacle, inviting viewers to listen as much as observe while the room becomes a witness.

Directed by Julio Medem, Room in Rome pairs a screenplay by Julio Rojas with an intimate production. Elena Anaya and Natasha Yarovenko lead the cast, supported by Enrico Lo Verso and Najwa Nimri. The film premiered in 2010 in Europe.

Box office numbers are not readily available; the film played in a limited release across European markets and at festivals, attracting a modest but dedicated arthouse audience, with the potential to attract new viewers through word of mouth worldwide today.

The film drew attention for its unflinching focus on female desire and a same sex encounter, crafted through intimate performances and a restrained, cinema verite style. It sparked discussion about representation and the gaze in European cinema. Viewers praised the restraint and how the camera listens to breath and skin.

Critics praised the film for its mood and the chemistry between the leads, emphasizing themes of longing, vulnerability, and the search for authentic connection within a single, confined setting. The dialogue and silences invite viewers to reflect on how intimacy can reshape a person’s sense of self.