Gypsy Caravan is opening in Hartford, CT, this evening. The sound man for the film, CT resident George Eli, is doing a Q&A following the screening. He's the man for whose sons Johnny wrote that lovely letter telling them to be proud of their heritage. He now has the letter framed and hanging in his house. There's a good article in today's paper that mentions Johnny:
click here for full article - good read
I'm going to the show and will let you know if anything is said about the Johnny link. Eli sounds like an amazing man and I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say about flouting gypsy tradition while not forgetting who he is.

What a lovely article Maggy---yes, please report back with your impressions. I think GC will be playing in Santa Barbara on 8/3. I'd like to attend if the real world doesn't get in the way!
-Donna

WOW! Many thanks for the heads up for people in the CT area!!! I can't wait to hear what you think about it!

The film was marvelous. It takes you on the journey of the different bands and their 6 week concert tour. At the start they were strangers. By the end, they were family. The music was indeed marvelous but it was the people that grabbed and held you. One woman and her husband weren't able to have their own children so raised 47 orphans. All of them mentioned how the money they made from their music went to support their villages. It brought laughter and tears. Don't miss it if it comes near you.

The screening was totally sold out in a fairly large theater here. George Eli both introduced the film and followed up with a Q&A. He's a very attractive and charismatic man and both proud of and frustrated by the Romani culture. He mentioned several times how the Roms are their own worst enemy. They keep their culture closed, avoid intermarriage, have their own laws and justice system, don't believe in education outside their own culture, go to their own Christian churches, teach their young how to interpret and read spiritual messages, and on and on. They are also joyful, generous, musical, gregarious when with their own. While they may be polite to outsiders (gadjo), it's rare for them to accept one into their family like Johnny was. He shared a good deal about the Rom's history and the underlying reasons why they are what they are. He also said he could recognize a Rom any time any place in the world. The Romani language is nearly universal. There are only a few places - like Spain - where it was largely lost. Franco outlawed it. Otherwise, it's the same laguage everywhere with only such differences as you would find in, say, English (the Scots and the British and the Americans really do speak the same language). He talked a bit about the Holocaust in Europe and how the Nazi's started with the Roms. They annihilated 900,000 people out of a then-existing European population of 1 million. When they saw how successful that was, they turned to the Jewish population.

Eli is working on his own documentary about the Romani people and is, like so many independent film makers, looking for financing to finish and release it. Someone asked him why he didn't approach Johnny. He replied that he only had that one connection - the letter to his sons - with him and that Johnny is kept very well protected by his people. I'd love to see the two of them get together as both are so passionate and compelling and talented. Ah well. I highly recommend Eli's website: click here and be sure to WATCH THE VIDEO on this page

Thanks so much for the info and the links, Maggy. :thanks
I was always drawn to the mysterious Gypsies and other cultures so very different from my own.

Thank you so very much for writing such a detailed and thorough report for us! woohoo I can't wait to see it, I think it hits here next month.

Thanks Maggy for that great report--definitely sounds like a worthwhile film to see. Enjoyed the video as well. :)
-Donna

What a great report! Thank you, FAN!! :claphands
I was a little surprised to learn of George Eli's reluctance, or inability, to connect with Johnny for financing for his documentary...I'd have thought that would be a natural, easy call. Anyway, I look forward to seeing GC when it comes this way - it sounds great!

This is coming to Yellow Springs, OH next month and I would love to be able to attend especially after reading the review by FANtasticJD. But as usual life is getting in the way so unfortuantely I will probably not be able to attend. Glad to hear that you had a great time.

Nicci :captainjack

That was a great read!!

:thanks Maggy. I am so pleased you had a good time and enjoyed the movie.

I haven't seen any mention of it over here yet, but I will keep a sharp eye for it in the future.

Anne x

Thanks for the great read. I'm hoping it will come to my area. I'll keep a look out for it.
Joanie

FANtasticJD you gave us a very detailed account, I thank you. :bow I just hope that it will come to our area.

Here is the link the Gypsy Caravan's schedule.

http://www.gypsycaravanmovie.com/calendar_1.php

Hope you all find a location close to where you live.

Nicci :captainjack

:thanks

Thanks for the link to the schedule, FAN! I'll look forward to seeing it in September! :thumbsup

Thanks Nicci. The UK is under construction :angry:

And Bummer!! There was a Q&A like Maggy went to, in London on the 1st June, and I missed it. :(

I shall keep a sharp eye still with hopes that the movie does the rounds over here though. :D

Anne x

There I was yesterday, moaning (whats new? :D ) about there being no dates for the UK, and look what is in the Google alerts today!! woohoo

http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featur...2138391,00.html

Transylvania looks good too!!

Nice bit about Johnny too woohoo

:snoopy

Anne x

That was a really nice mention Anne!