I certainly already said it here, explicitly or not: there is only one main character in Tony Gatlif's films, and it's Music. In the case of 'Swing', it's so true that you feel like you're learning it, that your ear is developing, after only 5 minutes. 'Swing' is also about an initiatory summer. Where learning can happen out of school, out of books, out of your usual social/cultural group. Where life is a learning experience, from every moment, every person you meet, because everybody has something to transmit. Where we are reminded that Gypsies were persecuted by Nazis too. Where Gypsy culture is not the close one stereotypes often depict and where Gypsy rhythms meet North-African ones, giving birth to absolutely amazing musical scenes (especially the female choir one). It's definitely the best Tony Gatlif I saw so far, and it would deserve a 6 out of 5 in fact.
Review of Swing
