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The main characters being gypsies is never outright said but the fact Kaye's is familiar with several of their songs and the that he's part of a traveling team selling alternative homeopathic "medicine" while Yakov has a strong general dislike for authority suggest they are, them being scammers not withstanding. I figured them being gypsies would add more emotional depth and weight to the story, considering the discrimination those people face for being outsiders in the societies they live in.

Napoleon's France was geographically huge. I'm assuming most people would not question a person of high military stature in a time of war and expansion, especially if they could lose their life over such tension. I don't think the setting really mattered either. I've read somewhere that the gypsy drinking song Kaye sings originated somewhere in eastern Europe and could be heard in parts of Russia.

Times have changed. More realistic portrayals of corruption are much more common today. Still, I like to think that their depiction in this movie illustrates that they think they're smart but not really. I enjoy our discussions, can't wait for more.