Tony Gatlif

prompt: It's a sign

I'm shamelessly going to use weekend wordsmith to introduce one of my favorite film makers.
Tony Gatlif was born Michel Dahmani in Algiers, Algeria and is of Gypsy ethnicity, he is a writer, director, producer and actor. His movies are intense and obscure and he is brilliant in his ability to capture the genuine aspect of human life and culture of one of the most misunderstood peoples of this world, the Roma. He weaves music and sensuality into colorful tapestries and gives us glimpses into the lives of the ever moving European Gypsies. It’s a sign of a truly refreshing filmmaker, in this age of formulaic plots and endless sequels, to see such vivid images and hear such an abundance of raw authentic music. His movies are rare gems! I urge you to take a look at some of his films. I think you’ll be delighted. Here is a list:

* La Tête en ruine (1975)
* La Terre au ventre (1978)
* Corre gitano (1981)
* Canta gitano (1981)
* Les Princes (1982)
* Rue du départ (1985)
* Pleure pas my love (1989)
* Gaspard et Robinson (1990)
* Latcho Drom (1992)
* Mondo (1995)
* Gadjo dilo (1997)
* Je suis né d'une cigogne (1998)
* Vengo (2000)
* Swing (2001)
* Exils (2004)
* Transylvania (2006)

and now I'll leave you with a few teasers:


from Latcho Drom



from Vengo