Customer Reviews

Latcho Drom

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an astonishing film. It traces the Rom people from India to Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, France and Spain, through their music and dance. There is very little dialogue, and little explanation, except at the film's beginning, which briefly states that the Rom left India hundreds of years ago and made their way north, for reasons now unclear.

Further explanation is not really needed, however, as one can see for oneself the poverty, misery, and oppression that the Rom suffer worldwide, to this day. In one particularly poignant cut, an elderly Rom woman sings about Auschwitz. "In Auschwitz we had no bread," she sings. "The kapos were so cruel." She holds a small photograph, perhaps of her father or husband who perished, and one sees the number tattooed on her arm. Other songs remark upon the Roma's constant flight from hatred and oppression. One sees, here, in this film, as they are chased from camp sites, forced to move their caravans.

In the closing segment, a family is chased from abandoned buildings in which they had been squatting. They sing as the doors and windows are bricked up, and the police arrive. "Why does your evil mouth spit on me?" a chanteuse wails, in the same style and strain of music one had heard from her Roma compatriots at the film's beginning, in India. "Why do you treat me like a dog?"

Most remarkably, however, this film juxtaposes the Roma's dignity with their suffering. We see, firsthand, their poverty, the social ostracism they face ubiquitously. Yet we also see their ingrained joy of living, their indomitable spirit. The film provides a magnificent, delightful musical display of multi-lingual Rom genius, recounting in song and dance their history and the extent of their travels.

It is a gift to--and from--the Rom, to all humanity.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

Others have amply described this film. I just want to note that it would be great on DVD, because unlike most documentaries, the production values are on a par with Hollywood feature films. It's shot in 35MM wide screen, beautifully staged and lit, with a high quality digital audio track. Seen on the big screen it has immense impact because it transcends the documentary genre.

When I first saw this video I could not belive it. It is truly beautiful, the music captivating and soulful. Although I was stoned out of my mind (high as a kite) I really new this was greatness and went out to pursue the soundtrack. It is one of my favorites to this day. I'm patiently waitng for the DVD release because let's face it video cassettes blow....cassette... wow, is that how youreally spell cassette.... weird man..... wierd.

Latcho Drom ("safe journey") is a visually stunning video, with nice camera-work, and the sound quality is excellent. My only complaint is that the translations/subtitles are not very thorough.

This is a fabulous journey with groups of Gypsies throughout the Middle East and Europe. A truly outstanding documentary that I highly recommend -- but it's more about visuals than about words. Writer/director Tony Gatlif, who is descended from the Rom himself, has created a memorable and poignant film in Latcho Drom. It won at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993 (the Prix Gervais, specifically). In this film, you travel with various groups of Gypsies through Rajasthan, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, France and Spain.

There's no dialog, and the songs these Gypsies sing are only partially translated. It's a "fly on the wall" experience, where the images speak for themselves. You will watch the joy, the pain, and the hardship of these people, all under the unblinking eye of the camera.

I think it will stay with you long after the movie ends, and as many times as I have watched this, it never fails to move me. It's a marvelous film, that probably could never have been made if Gatlif was not of the Romany people himself.

This is one of my all time favorite movies. The cinematography is amazing. You feel as though you are actually traveling along side the Roma People. The music is incredible. This movie is absolutely breath taking in every way! I highly recommend it. I recommend Mondo and The Traveling Stranger as well.

This is a most beautifully portrayed history of sacred dance that I have ever seen. It is a must see. Once you have seen this film, you will never be the same. You'll want to own the video.

This movie is an amazing journey, in many ways. Made in France, Latcho Drom uses only music and images with some English subtitles. The spirit of the gypsies is captured in this movie, as you glimpse at lives of many families in different countries. Latcho Drom means "safe journey." The absence of narration leaves you to enjoy the beauty of this documentary by using your imagination. You soon realize that lack of money means nothing to these passionate people, they are rich with music and adventure. This is a great foreign film, Latcho Drom was just recently released for purchase at an affordable price on VHS. Do yourself a favor and buy the CD soundtrack at the same time.

This film is a favorite of mine, but frustrating. The director, who is of Rom descent, apparently travels around the world filming different Rom communities, inviting us to compare and contrast the similarities of the communities from culture to culture and the ways in which they are affected by the cultures in which they live.

At least, that's what I think it's about. There's no dialogue. None. The film contains music (the lyrics of the songs are subtitled in English in this copy) and dance, but no explanation whatsoever. It is sometimes possible to guess the country of filming from song language or visual cues, but sometimes this information can only be discerned from the credits.

But oh, the music and dance! They are spectacular. If you can set aside a need for plot or hard information, and lose yourself in the theater of this film, you will be richly rewarded.

Latcho Drom is truly a jewel of the alternative cinema circuit. I have never seen a more powerful and in depth portrail of the Rroma and their diverse musical tradition. I only hope that the film will inspire Europeans and others around the world to treat the Rroma with equal respect and shed the stereotypes which have plagued this culturally rich and beautiful people of the Hindustan homeland. Way to go Gatlif!!!

If you want to know culture at its most raw, this is perfect. I felt the pain, the hunger, and the passion of these people. I'm a dancer. I love Flamenco, Middle Eastern, and Egyptian dances. My only frustration in the film is there wasn't MORE dancing. The music was wonderful. The dancing was fabulous. The message was deep.