A R C H I V E1 9 9 2  
.10
  Marta Bergman, Frédéric Fichefet & Stéphane Karo
La ballade du serpent (The ballad of the serpent)
  Belgium 1991
Videotape, 60:30, colour, mono
In this documentary we see the ins and outs of a group of gypsies who live a stone's throw from Bucharest. We are given detailed information about the daily course of events by the gypsies themselves who appear in front of the camera with a natural suppleness and act out their story in such a way that it provides the documentary with extra tension. Music is an especially important factor in their existence and, at the same time, their only source of income. They often play at weddings in Bucharest. The finale contains the sad story of a man whose daughter died at the age of 18 years. The funeral is particularly moving because of the way in which emotions are given free expression.

Henny Kamphuizen

Sound mixing: Jean-Luc Fichefet, Voices: Elena, Rodica, Music: Les Musiciens de Clejani, Production assistant: Klaus Reimer, Kathleen de Béthume, With thanks to: W.I.P., Bob Vanderbob, Crammed Disc, - Eric Pauwels, Thierry Odeyn, Jacqueline Aubenas, Opération Villages Roumains, Production: Centre de l'Audio-Visuel, GSARA Disc i.s.m. RTBF


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