Synopsis

Life is full of irony. Blue birds are said to stay near you but they are nowhere to be found, and what you believe is often betrayed. For this reason, people always wish to leave for new lands and new chances, and in some cases, they actually do so. Transylvania, the final installment in Tony Gatlif's gypsy trilogy which includes Exiles and Swing, is a story about people who are destined to wander. With the music, cinematography, and narrative structure in perfect harmony, the film shows Gatlif's affection for the nomadic culture he himself actually sprang from. The film focuses on people who refuse to settle down because of the demands of desire, freedom, or survival. The unmanipulated images are stunning, and the gypsy music soars to match the passion, excitement, and sorrow of the tale. Superb performances by Asia Argento and Birol Ünel are unforgettable. The breathtaking score, arranged by Gatlif himself, will charm audiences; the gypsy dance music in the opening sequence captures hearts, as well as plays an integral role in the storytelling. Transylvania is a must-see film for serious music film lovers. (Lee Ji-seon)

Director

Tony Gatlif

Born in Algeria in 1948, Tony Gatlif left Algeria in the 1960s and moved to France, where he spent his youth on the streets. His works consistently focus on themes of the pain of his homeland, Algeria, and the life of the gypsies. Notable works include The Princes (1983), a heartfelt story about gypsies deciding to settle in Paris' suburbs, Safe Travels (1993), which shows his love for gypsy music, and Gadjo Dilo (1997), about a man searching for a lost singer in a gypsy village in Romania. His films consistently reflect his musical interests, as seen in works such as Vengo (2000), which deals with a flamenco singer, and Swing (2002), about a boy aspiring to become a guitarist and his friendship with a gypsy boy. He won the Best Director award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival for Exiled.