Queen of the Gypsies

I love this movie. It reminds me of my colorful childhood. The director was an amazing person and he is the pride of our country. The soundtrack composed by Eugen Doga are simply perfect. I have just one issue here. In the summary, there is a mistake that really bothers and

I would like to be fixed because it will confuse people that don't know anything about the history of Moldova. Bessarabia is not a part of Moldova. It is MOLDOVA. My country has two names - Moldova or Bessarabia. I know it's pretty messy and confusing, but that's how it is. I want proper information, regarding the movie.

Overall, I love to see the movies made in Eastern Europe are listed here.

Moldovan director Emil Loteanu's tenth feature film is probably his most famous one. "Gypsies Are Found Near Heaven" (1976) was a huge hit in the USSR, the most watched film in cinemas that year and also something that the critics fancied. The film, based on two stories by Maxim Gorki, is a depiction of wandering Gypsies in the turn-of-the-century Austria-Hungary. These people travel from one place to the next without staying long. They dance, they sing, and they fall in love.

Loteanu's film is very colorful and kind of other-worldly in its depiction of history. Though it is supposed to be taking place in 1900 or something, the gypsies at times look like 1970's hippies, and the look of the film is a tad anachronistic. It is not a narrative-driven film, but instead focuses on the atmosphere. There is a lot of gypsy music in it, which was historically interesting, and many of the songs were a joy to listen to. As a depiction of a disappearing way of life, this film works well. As a well-thought-out artistic experience, it's pretty messy. Some will like it more than others.

beautiful songs, beautiful story. inspired performances. wise manner to present/remember old traditions and a page of gypsy's past who could be seeds for the present problems. sweet, romantic, remembering pages from Russian classic literature, it is a beautiful film, mixture of magic, love, faith and rules who seduce and impress, first form of Bregovic's universe and soap opera. it reflects the circle 's pieces of a community and have a cut couple as lead characters. and not the story remains after its end in memory but the music. old songs, fascinating dances, strange forms of courage, freedom in different definition, the dangerous games, the high price of honor, the love in its large forms. a film who could have many sides. because it is an ethnographic trip, a dark fairy tale, a romantic story, a film with a generous message, an aesthetic delight.

A movie that could only have been made in the 70s. Very free and very lyrical. Poetic but still very earnest with a touch of nudity. While nudity nowadays is not a big deal, I suppose it was back then (even through all the Flower Power movement). And therefor it got special mention before the screening (this year, 2010).

This shouldn't be the reason for you to watch the movie though. There is other movies out there ready to be explored, if you are looking for that kind of thing. This movie on the other hand, just lives the free spirit and does not take a particular road. Or tells a great story for that matter. It's all about humans and gypsies in general (though that might not be the political correct term to call them). And a promise the movie makes, that is kept in the end ... not that you did not see that coming ... just saying

it is simply the best gypsy movie, translating so well their thirst of

freedom, for 'the road'...i saw it on tv as 'Les Tziganes s'en vont

vers les cieux, in a children-family program, but i think it surpasses

all the Kusturica-Gatlif spoofs depicting Gypsies. This one here depicts all the tragedy of the gypsy people, torn

between materialism and freedom. The opening is a piece of anthology as the old sage predicts

Zabor his near future and warns him : Dont trust any woman...and

remember that freedom is the most important value...' And ahhh....Svetlana!!! so marvelous dancing and saying to Zabor

: 'Dont look at me this way, it's forbidden...' To see for the proudness, the height of the feelings, the friendship,

the love, so pure....but leading to tragic endings in a gadjo world... a must for gypsy-movies lovers as much as : Autrefois, nous étions des oiseaux, from Garri

Bardine