Ecaterina Teodoroiu

This movie is inspired from real events, which unfolded in Romania during World War I. Countless casualties triggered additional drafts and among men, there was now a woman who wanted to join the war effort as a soldier, rather than a nurse. Her name is Ecaterina Teodoroiu, the first Romanian female soldier who persuaded the Ministry of War's officials to be allowed to volunteer, a quite striking proposition at the dawn of 20th century. She eventually joins the front and is wounded by a grenade during one of her first battle experiences. She is hospitalized and though not fully recovered, she convinces an Army doctor (starring Ion Caramitru) to sign her hospital discharge so she can return to the front. She succeeds and eventually gets promoted to corporal to lead her own platoon. The subordinates overcome the idea of having a female leader and later appreciate her ethics and military skills. Ecaterina Teodoroiu dies in combat, thus becoming the first Romanian female soldier killed in action.

It is a movie of fine acting performances, definitely worth watching.