A dazzling display of the musical world of the
Roma, juxtaposed to the real world they live in. This rich feature
documentary celebrates the luscious music of top international Gypsy
performers and interweaves stirring real life tales of their home life
and social background. Shot by documentary icon Albert Maysles, the
film takes place on location in Spain, Macedonia, Romania and India, as
well as in Europe and in the USA during the Gypsy Caravan concert tour
. Starring musicians from
FANFARE CIOCARLIA, TARAF DE HAIDOUKS, MAHARAJA, ANTONIO EL PIPA & ESMA REDZEPOVA. Film directed and produced by
Jasmine Dellal whose recent feature,
AMERICAN GYPSY, won international acclaim for its portrait of an American Romani family battling a decade of drama.
Jasmine Dellal is a great ambassador for the Romani
people and for their music. I defy either your feet or your heart to
stand still while watching this movie."
- Andrei Codrescu, NPR commentator, writer
Five
years after Jasmine Dellal's amazing film Tales of a Gypsy Caravan
debuted, she returns to Romania to counter Roma prejudice with her
film. As the video above documents, it turns out her return was highly effective in building Roma pride,
also.
For every one thing of beauty that is created - two negative
things are destroyed. The following quotes are from young Romanian students, some of them Roma, who saw the film:
It was wonderful. Let’s tell them we are people too!
- Amina R, Roma pupil
I was very glad. I want to be the best Gypsy ever.
- Carlitos N, Roma pupil
I was stunned. I didn’t expect that a film would change my opinion
about Roma, but it did. The film should be screened more often, to show
the other side of Roma.
- Ana C, Romanian student
It was a wonderful experience (entertaining and all that) but foremost
educational. We could make people understand that the Roma are people
too, for God’s sake!
- Diana P, Romanian student
I would have been so proud if I were a Gypsy! ☺
- Mihaela K, Bulgarian visual artist
"It would be great if by experiencing the Romani
people and their music, people can learn more about them and understand
that - what you've believed about these people has been a lie your
entire life."
- Johnny Depp
