Full list of 2008 films and events...
Jasmine Dellah, Director/Writer/Co-Producer with Sarah Nolan
2006 110 min. Color
Shot by legendary cinematographer Albert Maysles, this dynamic musical documentary follows five Gypsy bands from four countries who unite for the Gypsy Caravan as they take their show around North America for a six-week tour, astounding every audience they meet. Their musical styles range from flamenco to brass band, Romanian violin to Indian folk. And with humor and soul in their voices, they celebrate the best in Gypsy culture and the diversity of the Romani people in an explosion of song and dance. The sounds of Roma (Gypsy), a culture interminably misunderstood, oppressed and stigmatized, are increasingly heard on the dance floor, and have attracted fans like Johnny Depp, who is in the film. TIME Magazine declares, "Gypsy music is escaping its 'ghetto' in Romania to become a worldwide sensation." Tribeca Film Festival's Steven Snyder writes, "Given extraordinary access to a world known by few outsiders, Dellah takes full advantage by reaching out to the community's key players, including a violin virtuoso who also must beg for change in order to keep his family afloat." This film is a celebration that will leave your toes tapping, your heart pumping and your soul uplifted by a glorious journey that is the Gypsy Caravan.
Gypsy Caravan
When the Road Bends . . . tales of a Gypsy CaravanJasmine Dellah, Director/Writer/Co-Producer with Sarah Nolan
2006 110 min. Color
Shot by legendary cinematographer Albert Maysles, this dynamic musical documentary follows five Gypsy bands from four countries who unite for the Gypsy Caravan as they take their show around North America for a six-week tour, astounding every audience they meet. Their musical styles range from flamenco to brass band, Romanian violin to Indian folk. And with humor and soul in their voices, they celebrate the best in Gypsy culture and the diversity of the Romani people in an explosion of song and dance. The sounds of Roma (Gypsy), a culture interminably misunderstood, oppressed and stigmatized, are increasingly heard on the dance floor, and have attracted fans like Johnny Depp, who is in the film. TIME Magazine declares, "Gypsy music is escaping its 'ghetto' in Romania to become a worldwide sensation." Tribeca Film Festival's Steven Snyder writes, "Given extraordinary access to a world known by few outsiders, Dellah takes full advantage by reaching out to the community's key players, including a violin virtuoso who also must beg for change in order to keep his family afloat." This film is a celebration that will leave your toes tapping, your heart pumping and your soul uplifted by a glorious journey that is the Gypsy Caravan.
As the film follows the amazing performances and behind-the-scenes action from the tour created by World Music Institute, we discover the real lives of these musicians. We visit Macedonia, Romania, India and Spain, meet their families and see what music brings to their lives. The tales of these characters are woven between their performances - allowing us to understand and celebrate Romani culture and the prejudice of their shared ancestry.
Click for filmmaker's web site
Audience Favorite Awards at San Francisco Indep. F.F. and Belgium Flanders Intern'l F.F.
