Gypsy Caravan: When the Road Bends [DVD]

Great documentary about Gypsy (Roma) musicians and their families.

This documentary movie is a wonderful representation of Gypsy culture and music, and of the fact that Gypsy culture IS music, from small childhood on to the literal grave. The filmmakers could not have predicted that one of the patriarchs would die during this amazing gathering of many nations' clans to produce music on tour, but that is what happens, and it is very moving to see and hear the grief in music. As impressive as the individual clans are in their varied national adaptations of Gypsy life, even more so is how they adapt to one another in the course of this production. Even the producers are awed. And it is no small bonus to see Johnny Depp acknowledging his own Gypsy history -- nor to hear that, like American Indians, Gypsies have been wronged for centuries. It's high time for reparation.

I think it was Tony Gatlif who said 'my native land is the road'. 'Gypsy' (maybe Roma is less offensive) music represents an incredibly vast arch of sound, stretching from Rajastan to the Gibraltar. So to speak of it is meaningless, not much different from the hapless term of 'black music'. It has more to do with someone's concern with the race of the musicians rather than the music they make.You will be treated to excellent product coming from Asia, the Balkans and finally the south of Spain. And to some bits of Roma life, which is not easy, given the poverty and prejudice that are still prevalent in many parts of Europe.

This film follows a tour in the U.S. of several Roma (gypsy) groups from Romania, India, Spain, and Macedonia. They all speak the same verbal language but not the same musical language. By the conclusion of the tour, they are able to come together in a musical extravaganza.Over the course of the film, I felt I had gotten an authentic taste of the cultures of the various groups - they are quite different - and some of the "stars" of the groups. When one of them dies before the end of the tour, his group returns to their native land for a wake which I needed, too, I had come to love him that much.Roma have been unjustly maligned all over the world and for a long time. They all live "some" place, but they have no homeland. Perhaps they have infused their music with the joy that is usually attached to a homeland because it is a joyous caravan, indeed.

If you are sad watch this movie and you will be sad no longer. If you love gypsies or Gypsy culture, you will learn much and truly understand. It's an epic film.

The Roma people are little known, like the wind ranging over the earth, transformative and invisible, but felt unless you never leave your domicile. Not surprising, Johnny Depp's glance with a Roma troupe resulted in lifelong changes, I think especially for him. The film follows many living threads of "gypsy" culture and music, which had been unaware of each other, having dispersed to distant lands, and naturally evolved musically with different ways. The phenomenal idea actualized and here documented: a colloborative concert bringing family together, who sing, play, and dance their way along time and continents all home to the roma. There is nothing simple about portraying any people, but these people and the filmmakers are undeniable in their authenticity. This film can contribute to anyone's experience and understanding of our humanity.

What a real treat for lovers of Gypsy music. Not only does it include perfromance of the tour, but a series of in-depth interviews with the musicians, tour organizers, etc. Add to this mix, footage of the musicians in their home towns and you have a documentary reminiscent of "Latcho Drom". A particularly poignant sequence includes the funeral of Taraf violinist Nicolae Neacsu, who apparently died during the tour. It was in his native village, Clejani in Romania. It tends to be a little long but I honestly wouldn't know where to cut it.It is definitely worth buying and watching it multiple times (as I have done with Latcho Drom). It is a pity that Latcho Drom has not been released on DVD.

I can't watch many movies repeatedly, but had to order this when Netflix streaming stopped offering it. The music is beautiful, and the people featured endearing. Well made, easy to watch, and delightful to listen to. A must for anybody with an eclectic taste in music. I bought it to watch with my dad and musician friends. The Rajasthan dancer from Maharajah is stunning. There is one tearjerking scene, but the rest of the movie is very uplifting.If you've got any Roma blood in you, it will make you proud. If you don't, it will make you wish you did...

I have had this DVD for ages and only watched it last night and was blown away by most of it. It is a documentary about four Rom bands from different countries who are put together for a 6 week tour of the USA and Canada.They are from Macedonia, India, Spain and Romania and whilst all have different sounds, they all have the same passion with intense emotions and explosions of musical depth of feeling.They follow the bands on tour and also tell their often intimate stories from their homeland. The crushing poverty for a lot of them seems to be totally alleviated by the sheer joy in the music.They all have a massive love of life which seems contagious and they all seem to smoke at every possible moment. There is a lovely interview with Jonny Depp who has worked with some of them in the past and just adores them.I thought I was going to find this dull and preachy, it is neither, so why the 4 stars, well that is because I would have liked more of the music. There is not one entire song, which I know is the way documentaries are done, but it is so spellbinding I found it quite distracting, when I am getting taken up in the music and: they cut to an interview.Still petty gripe aside I have been telling friends about this and now they are all asking to borrow it - I am of course advising them about the current great deals on Amazon! (That should stop unwanted emails.)Also if you enjoy this check out this fantastic film Black Cat - White Cat Black Cat, White Cat [1998] [DVD ]. Black Cat, White Cat [1998] [DVD

THIS IS VERY POWERFUL,IF YOU HAVE PASSION FOR LIFE/PEOPLE/MUSIC SEE HOW IT,S DONE BY REAL TALENTED SPIRITED PEOPLE,NO EGO,S HERE I AM AFRAID,NO MIMING NO WESTERN STUDIO RUBBISH THAT OUR YOUTH IS FED,I HAVE BEEN A FAN SINCE 1989 WHEN I FIRST SAW TARAF AT CHAPEL UNION WILD MUSIC FROM THE HEART I JUST MET ESME WHAT AN EXAMPLE TO US ALL,CRY LOUGH EEEENNNJJJJOOOOYYYYYYYYYYY,BET YOU EMERGE A BETTER PERSON,10.00000000000000 STARS

I really enjoyed this film ,the music was great and the insight into a gypsy way of life was fascinating ,a group of people from diverse origins whose history /culture has been much ignored and underappreciated ,amazing dancing and musical performances .would highly recommend for music lovers

The audio was a bit below par to give justice to the performances and interviews, but I had feared worse reading the other comments posted here. The DVD is a fascinating and stimulating insight into the lives of these talented musicians, and the relationships woven along their journey is a tribute to their art. Their performances are magnificent. Thank you to the other reviewers who helped me decide in choosing it.

If you appreciate the Roma - you will love this! I am not of gypsy origin, but the culture, tradition and music of the gypsy people fascinates me - always has. This is the ultimate Road trip with a delightful collection of stories, and wonderful blend of colourful people - I highly recommend you buy this to add to your collection. Beautifully filmed and tugs at the heartstrings x