When The Road Bends - Tales Of A Gypsy Caravan

Features performances by leading ethnic musicians and groups including Antonio El Pipa Flamenco Ensemble, Ezma Redzepova, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Maharaja and Taraf De Haïdouks. Gypsy Caravans is a celebration of life, culture and music, the film documents the customs, lifestyle and art of the traditionally reserved nomadic European gypsies in a ‘fly on the wall’ documentary.

While shooting, the filmmakers lived amongst the gypsies in their caravans and houses, which allowed for intimate and uninhibited access to every facet of their lives. Participants were encouraged to share their customs, beliefs, traditions and most of all, their music.

The film follows these mysterious performers on their travels throughout their respective countries, and the result is a beautiful and honest account of the gypsy lifestyle, not to mention some stunning performances of traditional gypsy music. Five Gypsy bands from four countries unite for the Gypsy Caravan as they take their music around North America for a six-week tour, astounding every audience they meet.

Their musical styles range from flamenco to brass band, Romanian violin to Indian folk. And with fire in their bellies and soul in their voices, they celebrate the best in Gypsy culture and the diversity of the Romani people in an explosion of song and dance. One of the most honest accounts of culture, tradition and relationships ever captured, Gypsy Caravans: When The Road Bends is guaranteed to warm you from head to toe, and the rousing performances of traditional gypsy songs will haunt you, get you dancing and instil in you the utmost respect for such an ancient and persistent culture.

With most contemporary music documentaries content with following the egoistic, self indulgent ‘rock-stars’ with delusions of almost deity like reputations, it is a refreshingly rare treat to see something so down-to-earth and devoid of everything that makes popular music so distasteful.