cybernalf Reviews

Swing (I) (2002)

Catching

[10/10 · 5 April 2002]

Tony Gatlif himself has gypsie-blood flowing through his veins. He uses the medium film to bring a spark of the life that there is in all people who are or feel connected with gypsies. Their music is the essence of their life and tells more than words ever could. After staying in Andulacia in the world of flamenco (Vengo), Gatlif now pictures the 'manouche' in France. A little french boy (Max), staying with his grandmother during the summerholidays, is fascinated by the way 'manouche' guitar is played. He finds himself a music teacher and learns much more about the people he's suddenly surrounded by, than only how to play guitar... The 'actors' often just show their own life and tell their own history... and when they make music, it is spontaneously and real. This doesn't give the effect of a 'dull' documentary style, but makes the 'plot' look like an extra. Through the eyes and the heart and the openess of Max, you get to know these people who remind you of the fact that you are really 'alive' !

Thanks again Tony Gatlif !

Odmazda (2001)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 25 June 2001]

Though the subject didn't appeal to me at first, I loved this movie. A young man has to choose between love and hate. He carries with him two generations of revenge. The outcome of what started out as a seemingly 'impossible' friendship between the Christian Mittre and the Muslim Karahasan. It is not the hate that is shown, but the love and the way misunderstandings and interpretation of facts can unleash a series of situations which none is able to stop at a certain point. It is not a movie about evil against good, it shows the good side in each. And the strength of family ties, but also the weight of them. Very moving, very beautiful, a pearl.

Vengo (2000)

straight to the heart

[10/10 · 5 March 2001]

I am not a musician myself, in fact I am a student in art history, but I really enjoyed this picture. I was amazed that such a great passion for music can be combined with the medium of movie, without weakening nor the subject, nor the medium. The music that Tony Gatlif pursues is the kind of music that really means something to me, it goes straight into the body, the mind and the soul. This is not entertainment, this is 'life' in the purest sense of the word. Thank you Tony Gatlif, for bringing this message to us.