Time of the Gypsies

Plot

In this luminous tale set in the area around Sarajevo and in Italy, Perhan, an engaging young Romany (gypsy) with telekinetic powers, is seduced by the quick-cash world of petty crime, which threatens to destroy him and those he loves.

Release Year: 1988

Rating: 8.1/10 (9,386 voted)

Director:
Emir Kusturica

Stars: Davor Dujmovic, Bora Todorovic, Ljubica Adzovic

Storyline
In this luminous tale set in the former Yugoslavia, Perhan, an engaging young Romany with telekinetic powers, is seduced by the quick-cash world of petty crime that threatens to destroy him and those he loves.

Writers: Emir Kusturica, Gordan Mihic

Cast:

Davor Dujmovic
–

Perhan

Bora Todorovic
–

Ahmed

Ljubica Adzovic
–

Khaditza (Grandmother)

Husnija Hasimovic
–

Merdzan (Uncle)

Sinolicka Trpkova
–

Azra (girlfriend)

Zabit Memedov
–

Zabit (neighbor)

Elvira Sali
–

Danira (sister)

Suada Karisik
–

Dzamila

Predrag Lakovic
–

Mirsad Zulic
–

Ajnur Redzepi
–

Perhan's son

Sedrije Halim
–

Ruza, Azra's mother

Saban Rojan
–

Branko Djuric
–

Edin Rizvanovic
–

Taglines:
"When God came down to earth he could not deal with the gypsies . . . and he took the next flight back"

Release Date: 9 February 1990

Filming Locations: Milan, Lombardia, Italy

Gross: $280,015
(USA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Yugoslavia: 270 min
(extended version)
 |
France: 136 min
(DVD version)

User Review

Powerful and moving

Rating: 10/10

This movie shines as an example of pure art in cinema. So powerful with
symbolism and story telling, "Time of Gypsies" delivers amazing
performances on acting, settings, musical scores, and overall
directing.

In year 1988, this movie was one of the most awaited films in the
Istanbul International Film Festival. I was one of the lucky ones who
had a ticket for the film. When the show time arrived, it was obvious
that there was a problem since the film did not started. A lady from
the festival committee came to the stage announcing their appology and
explaining what the problem was; they were expecting the copy of the
film from the its distributor in USA. Unfortunately there was a
logistics problem, so they had to get it directly from Yugoslavia. When
the festival organisation put their Yugoslavian translators at work
they did not understand which language it was! And a cleaning lady, who
was an actual gypsy figured out that the movie was in Gypsy language.
So it was not possible to translate it for the festival.

So they offered an apology and refund in case anybody did not want to
watch it without subtitles.

Nobody left the theatre. We watched the movie without understanding a
word. But, at the end there was a standing ovation at the theatre went
on for a couple of minutes.