Music and culture are beautifully intertwined in “Gypsy Caravan,” a documentary that should have irresistible appeal to fans of world music.
It would be easy to point out that this movie travels in the well-worn footsteps of other music docs, such as “Buena Vista Social Club.” But who cares? All music cultures should be so lucky.
Filmmaker Jasmine Dellal, working with famed documentary cameraman Albert Maysles, had the bright idea to highlight Gypsy music by following the U.S. tour of five well-regarded exponents of the form. The performance and on-the-road material is supplemented with footage shot in the home countries of the musicians.
The results are not only tuneful but surprisingly moving at times. One thing that links the performers’ stories is that being Roma (the proper term for Gypsy) has made them the target of prejudice and suspicion in their lives.
The queen bee of the five acts is Esma Redzepova, an amazing singer and activist for the rights of the Roma people in her native Macedonia. A big star at home, she talks about her life married to a non-Gypsy and their project of adopting 47 children over the years (many of whom became musicians).
From Spain comes flamenco performer Antonio El Pipa, a dashing fellow and talented dancer, although his spotlight is stolen by his aunt, Juana la del Pipa. A stout, Picasso-faced woman, she sings with a full-throated fury that, as her nephew observes, is the real, raw soul of flamenco.
Taraf de Haidouks is a 12-piece group from Romania, whose busy splendor is testified to by none other than Johnny Depp (who worked with the band on his little-seen film “The Man Who Cried”). When we see glimpses of their lives back home, we realize that these people are living the real deal, not pampered stars out of touch with their material.
Maharaja is a folk group from Northern India, thought to be the original homeland of Gypsies. The most colorful member is Harish, whose specialty is performing a female dance in full drag -a job that came about, as he explains, because his parents died early and he had to find a way to support the rest of this family.
The final band is from Romania, Fanfare Ciocarlia, one of those raucous brass ensembles that seemingly flourish in every kind of folk tradition.
The film (which appears to have a few different titles, including “When the Road Bends”) is a straightforward blast of music and storytelling. Some of the styles heard here sound like they’re a thousand years old … which they might very well be.
A scene from “Gypsy Caravan.”
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