Maidgethma Wonderfully offbeat film!

Executscan Expected more

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Roland E. Zwick A few years back, five groups of musicians and performers, from four different countries - India, Romania, Macedonia, Spain - yet all united by their common gypsy heritage, set off on a six-week tour through North America that came to be known as the Gypsy Caravan. Albert Maysles' "When the Road Bends: Tales of a Gypsy Caravan" is a documentary account of that tour.The movie makes it clear that gypsy music has its roots firmly planted in personal hardship and social protest, that it is an organic response to the bigotry and oppression gypsies have suffered under from time immemorial.The filmmakers spend much of their time interviewing the performers either behind-the-scenes at rehearsals or on the bus the group travels on from one location to the next. It is here that we see the camaraderie that develops among the members, as well as the personal conflicts and artistic disputes that are an inevitable part of any group activity. But it is when they are all on stage, performing to packed houses in cities like New York, Miami, San Francisco, etc., that we feel the sheer joy that comes from sharing one's passion with an enraptured audience.The movie makers also travel to some of the performers' native towns and villages to try and get a feel for who these people truly are and the lands and cultures from which they spring.The result is a moving, informative, and musically enriching glimpse into a people and an art form that few Westerners know much, if anything, about.

jdesando "Gypsy" has long been for gadjos synonymous with murder and theft. Not so after Gypsy Caravan, a documentary about musical Romani bands from four countries touring to sold out audiences, who react enthusiastically to the varied and energetic performances by a naturally charismatic people, whose fleshy elders personify the lusts of living apparent from their blistering violin playing to their indulgences in fried food and eccentric marriages.It is not possible to ignore the Gypsies' charisma: Unforgettable is Esma Redzepova, a heavy Macedonian diva who occupies the heart of the film's message about an often maligned culture being rehabbed in front of our eyes by charming music and dance. Her 47 adopted kids are testimony to the holding power of Gypsy family; she couldn't possibly be called anything but "Queen of the Gypsies." Part of the enchanting mood is due to the lensing of the famous documentarian Albert Maysles, along with Alain de Halleux, who captures the folds and creases of older faces along with the freshness of babies and energy of teenage performers. Legendary performer Taraf de Haidouks holds a wedding for his 13-year-old daughter that involves an entire Romanian village, as appropriate a symbol of the enduring love and charm of the Gypsy culture.

Rogermex Chris Knipp has it exactly right in his comment above. "Latcho Drom" is one of the best films I've ever seen, the ultimate presentation of Rom music, and it's a crime that it is still not released on DVD. This clunker is almost embarrassingly bad. The producers of the "Caravan" rounded up a motley assortment of "gypsy" acts, some good, some awful, and made a cheapo roadshow with them. The camera work is amateurish, and the disrespect of beginning any performance only to cut away to jolly tour bus or village scenes is infuriating. The director had no sense of how to film music, taking either a flat view from audience front center, or extreme close-ups full of sweat rivulets and nostril hair (not that there's anything wrong with that!). The Spanish flamenco act is particularly cringe-worthy. When you've seen great film scenes of major flamenco talent, such as in the classic works of Carlos Saura, "Antonio" and his aunt Juana appear grotesquely clownish. Antonio performs like someone out of a "Spinal Tap" sort of parody, and his inarguably ugly aunt is presented as some sort of flamenco earth-mother, though her singing is less authentic than awful. The only redeeming moment comes at the end of the film when the audience is shocked and saddened at the unexpected death of one of the performers, and it really is painful to watch the friends' grief. Even then, on second thought, there's something cheesily exploitative about it all.

Seamus2829 If you consider yourself a lover of World Music as I am, you owe yourself a major treat by seeking out 'When The Road Bends:Tales Of A Gypsy Caravan'. This is a glowing document of the Romani culture (or as it is known to most as the rather unfortunate label of Gypsy)in song and dance. It gives the viewer a brief overview of the Romani people, where they originally came from,and where they've ended up (and not without a great deal of prejudice & hatred by small minded people). Most of the film is a document of a tour that was organized by the independent record label, 'World Village',as an overview of Rom music from India,Spain,Romania,Macedonia,etc. Probably the best known personae representing Romani music is Esma Redzepova, who has been out there singing for well over 40 years, and is recognized by the United Nations for her humanitarian work with children,by adopting over 45 Rom children (pretty impressive so far, no?). The film also merits equal attention to Taraf de Haidouks,Fanfare Ciocarlia,to mention a few. The film besides being shot on tour in the U.S. & Canada, also features footage shot in the performers respective countries, and features interview footage with the musicians,as well. To sum it all up,this film is a celebration of a culture that has long been looked down upon with suspicion & prejudice. It reminded me a lot of another film in a similar vein (Tony Gatliff's 'Latcho Drom'--or,Safe Journey', from 1993,which also told the story of the Romani people,but in a wordless,almost cinema verite style that I admired big time). You may have to do a bit of searching for this one, as it is known by a few other titles,depending (it's also called Gypsy Caravan,or just 'When The Road Bends'). At the two screenings I attended, people were really getting their groove on with the music & dance in this film (especially the Flamenco segments). The soundtrack CD is also worth busting your wallet open for.