Tag Archives: Movie

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

33 Steps

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33 Steps

The psychological drama “33 Steps” is inspired by the true story of Milan Daniel, a Rom who, following a brutal attack, lives in a state of constant fear and danger, haunted by nightmares and visions. This trauma also affects his family, particularly his son, Mili. Although the film is based on real events, the original directorial approach of the debutant husband-and-wife team, the Domčeks, masterfully blurs the line between documentary and fiction.

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Alina Şerban

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Alina Şerban

The Romanian film “Eu contez” [I matter] directed by Alina Șerban won the Audience Award at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, marking a historic achievement for Romanian cinema.

Alina Șerban, a Roma director, is the first Romanian to present a feature film at the Venice Festival, and her film addresses themes of social exclusion and identity through the story of a young Roma woman.

The film has received widespread acclaim for its emotional authenticity and is expected to be a strong contender for international distribution and possibly an Oscar nomination.

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I Matter

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I Matter

“I Matter,” the debut feature film by director Alina Șerban, premiered on September 8 at the Venice International Film Festival in the Venice Spotlight section, making her the first Roma female director in the festival’s official selection.

The film follows Rebeca, a young Roma woman preparing to leave her care center, hoping to find stability through her father’s release from prison, but faces challenges in her transition to independent life.

The film, a Romania-Germany-Belgium co-production, will be released in Romanian cinemas in February 2027 and is also competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award in the Venice Spotlight section.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Sacha Baron Cohen

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Sacha Baron Cohen

The village of Glod in Romania, known for its Roma community, was the setting for Sacha Baron Cohen’s satirical documentary about Kazakhstan in 2006, which received a Golden Globe.

Two decades later, the community still remembers the dubious production methods and betrayals associated with the film, sharing their experiences with a British journalist.

The article reflects on the historical context of the Romani people in Glod, their past as nomads and serfs, and the village’s name, which means ‘mud’ in Romanian.

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Alina Şerban

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Alina Şerban

Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘Eu contez (I Matter)’, premiering on September 8.

The film, a Romanian-German-Belgian co-production, tells the story of a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema.

‘Eu contez’ competes for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award, featuring a cast that includes Denisa Farcaș and Sorin Mihai.

France News Western Europe

Toni Gatlif

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Toni Gatlif

Filmmaker Tony Gatlif, a champion of Roma culture with some twenty films to his credit – including Gadjo Dilo – died on Wednesday at the age of 77, his family announced to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Friday, September 4. The director died in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône) from health problems while working on a historical film project.

Te avel i phuv lokhi!

News Eastern Europe Romania

Alina Șerban

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Alina Șerban

Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘I Matter’, premiering on September 8.

‘I Matter’, a co-production between Romania, Germany, and Belgium, is one of eight films selected for the Spotlight section at the festival, competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award.

The film tells the story of Rebeca, a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema about the complexities of Roma experiences and adolescence.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Milan Daniel

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Milan Daniel

The article discusses a film based on the true story of Milan Daniel, a Romani youth who was attacked by neo-Nazis in Břeclav in 2001, resulting in a coma and clinical death.

The film, titled “33 Steps,” is set to be released in Czech cinemas on September 3rd.

It received Special Jury Recognition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Skateboarding is not for Girls

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Skateboarding is not for Girls

Director Dina Duma aimed to avoid romanticizing poverty and to portray the Roma community authentically in her film “Skateboarding Is Not for Girls,” focusing on the characters’ humanity beyond stereotypes.

The film, inspired by a young girl’s maturity observed while skateboarding, explores themes of early marriage and sisterly love in the context of poverty in the Roma community.

Duma emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the filmmaking process and addresses the pervasive issue of patriarchy, highlighting the double standards faced by women in the film industry.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Rroma Film Festival

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Rroma Film Festival

The RROMA Film Festival will showcase short films inspired by Roma culture from September 4-6 in Brasov and Augustin, featuring a special screening of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin.’

The festival will honour Salvador Dali and include a celebration of Roma culture with traditional music and culinary experiences.

The closing ceremony will feature the film ‘Malul Vanat’ and a tribute to a lost film about Roma communities, with free admission to all events.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Roma Film Festival IROFF

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Roma Film Festival IROFF

The IROFF International Romani Film Festival will return to Prague from September 10 to 13. After last year’s zero year, it will offer four days of film screenings, two Czech premieres, discussions with filmmakers, concerts and exhibitions. The program was presented today at a press conference by Petr Ščuka from the organizing organization Identity Prague. The festival will take place at several locations in the metropolis.

https://youtu.be/rJco6QraHf8

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You Don’t Belong Here

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You Don’t Belong Here

“You Don’t Belong Here” won the Golden Leopard for Best Film at the Locarno Film Festival, presenting a moral drama set in small-town Romania, exploring themes of family crisis and societal issues.

The film follows Marius, a surgeon, and his son Ioan, who becomes involved in a violent incident involving racist youths targeting Roma families, leading to a confrontation that impacts their lives.

The narrative examines the complexities of father-son relationships, masculinity, and social violence, using a restrained cinematic style to provoke reflection on personal and societal responsibilities.

News Eastern Europe Romania

The Borat Village

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The Borat Village

The village of Glod in Romania, known for its portrayal in Sacha Baron Cohen’s parody documentary about Kazakhstan, still remembers the dubious production methods and betrayals from that time.

The article describes the lives of Andrei and his grandfather Neamu, who live in this Roma community, reflecting on their history.

The village’s name, Glod, translates to ‘mud’, symbolizing its humble beginnings and the contrast with the nearby city.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Olivera Katalina

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Olivera Katalina

Olivera Katarina, a versatile performer known for her work in film and music, passed away on July 21, 2026, at the age of 86, after a career spanning over 60 years.

Born in Belgrade, she gained fame for her role in the film ‘I Even Met Happy Gypsies’ where she played the role of a Romani singer and had a successful singing career across multiple languages and genres. She also sang in Romanes.

Despite personal hardships, including the loss of her second husband, Katarina continued to work in the arts until her later years, leaving a lasting legacy in Yugoslav cinema.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Critique

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Critique

The film Pramen, depicting forced sterilization of Romani women in 1980s Czechoslovakia, faces criticism for centering on doctors’ perspectives rather than the victims. While intended to highlight a dark historical chapter, critics argue the portrayal risks relativizing racially motivated state policy by suggesting the perpetrators acted in good faith.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Sterilisation

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Sterilisation

Ivan Ostrochovský’s film “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” explores the historical sterilization of Romnja in 1980s Czechoslovakia through the lens of a white doctor and a Romani nurse.

The protagonist, Dr. Ingrid, initially views sterilization as optional but gradually recognizes the coercive nature of the medical practices involved, influenced by her friendship with nurse Agáta.

The film, which premiered at the Karlovy Vary festival, combines a dark visual style with a haunting score, highlighting the emotional journey of its characters amidst a backdrop of systemic eugenics

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Award

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Award

The GoShorts program selected six short films that open up space for questions of power and empowerment – of collectives and individuals. Among them was Kismet by Novo Mesto director Žiga Virc, who received the RheinMain Award. It is the sotory of a 11 years old Romni.

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Django Reinhardt Movie

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Django Reinhardt Movie

A movie from 2017 about Django Reinhardt. While other Sinti across Europe are persecuted, Django’s popularity allows him to feel safe – until the Nazis try to send him on tour to Germany. Django refuses. His Parisian lover helps him, his pregnant wife, and his mother go into hiding near the Swiss border. There he meets members of his extended family, who are also on the run. He plans to cross Lake Geneva into Switzerland, but the Nazis are hot on his heels.

Well, the Swiss denied him Entry …

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Movies and Roma

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Movies and Roma

An interview with Nick Ferenc, a Romano actor. On social media, he breaks down prejudices and humorously breaks down stereotypes that he himself struggles with. In the podcast Hlas Heroine, he describes how difficult it is for a Romani actor to break free from pre-given expectations and not just play flat caricatures. For example, he sees a positive change in his role in the upcoming series from the creators of the hit Most!, where he plays a prisoner. “It was important to me that I didn’t play ‘Roma’.

As he himself says, even top screenwriters can throw away their talent and write a flat caricature when writing Romani roles.

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