Review by Vinoo
Language : Romany / Gypsy
Director : Tony Gatlif
‘Latcho Drom’ or ‘Safe journey’ is a wonderful trip with the gypsies. Tony Gatlif traces the origins of the Gypsies, or the Rromany (I like the rring to that word) singers, to Rajasthan. The romance of journey, or the fact that they are forever condemned to be wanderers is captured in all its rawness. Through song and dance they teach us about life, family, love, pain, journey, suffering and just about everything. The film begins in Rajasthan, which is believed to be the place of origin of the gypsies, with some singing and dancing that is nothing short of infectious. Taking the easy way out on this. Just watch this
[ftii]eboRWxw2FBY[/ftii]
Even someone like me with two left feet (reminds me of a friend who countered with ‘I have two right feet’) did dance and sing along in the solitude of my room. Tony Gatlif takes us to Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, France and Spain, and through all their singing and dancing. There is so much similarity in the food habits, dressing, music, dance and the wanderer lifestyle. Also in the use of basic elements and voice for music, with the dance that seems to transport them to a state of bliss no matter how bad the state of affairs. Just watch this link to get what I mean. What a beautiful way to show you the entire gypsy way of life, all in one simple, but amazing, sequence. Here goes:
[ftii]TCOM_5cC63w[/ftii]
Absolutely no dialogues through the entire length of the film but the songs, partly translated, and the dance just hold your attention right through. Sure hope to watch ‘Les Princes’ and ‘The Crazy Stranger’, the other two films in the trilogy. Thanks to a good ol buddy for sharing Tony Gatlif films with me. Added Tony Gatlif to my list of favourite Director’s. Also hope to watch his ‘Exiles’, ‘Transylvania’, ‘Vengo’, etc soon.
The first 5 minutes will get you hooked and from there on it is one amazing ride. Watch this link and I assure you, you’ll want to get your hands on the movie.
[ftii]-B4aom3IaBQ[/ftii]
This calls for a month-long trip to Rajasthan. There is a little ‘gypsy’ in all of us. I need to make the time for it, and soon. Any takers?
Watched ‘Scenes from a mall’, ‘Alice’, ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘Deconstructing Harry’. I recommend one Woody Allen film a day to just pep up your day.
Useless trivia : Tony Gatlif is an Algerian who moved to France. He is of Rromany, or Gypsy, origin. The passion and the fact that he has his roots there shows in every frame of the film.
The English term, Gypsy, apparently has its origin in Egypt and refers to people who were exiled for harbouring infant Jesus. However gypsy origins have been traced back to medieval India.
NB : ‘Floating Weeds’ second project, and my Directorial debut ‘Where the gods give up caste’, a 26 minute documentary produced jointly with Films Division, will be screened at B 11, Gurukripa, Off Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai at 18:30 hours on Saturday, 14 August, 2010. This screening for people who couldn’t make it last weekend. More useless trivia when there.
And nice to add this DVD to my collection.
Leave a Reply