Een volk zonder eigen land

Director Bob Entrop has been fascinated for years with the life of Roma and Sinti gypsies, their peculiar practices, codes and taboos. He tries to gain a better understanding of this vexed community - traditionally associated with campfires, abundant eating and drinking and music. He poses some imaginative questions in his film. More than once, however, he is told that something is none of his business or that 'those matters' are not discussed, especially not in front of a camera. Still, he manages to lift a corner of the veil. Religion apparently plays a key role. Matters like life, death and sexuality are quite touchy, father's word is law and the family is sacred. Handicapped and elderly people are never left to fend for themselves. Of old, there is a strict division between Roma and Sinti and civilian society. They always lived on an island, because people looked down on them. Meanwhile, some people of the younger generation are not isolating themselves from civilians as much as before. This means they will have to steer a middle course between two different worlds.