Those birds appear thruout the movie, almost like an extra character, leaving an American viewer to wonder if maybe there's a particular local understanding about what they stand for thereabouts. A little help?? Thanks in advance.
Wonderful flick, by the way. Thanks also are due the Independent Film Channel for making it available to house-bound homebodys.
Turkeys are birds entrenched in Eastern European gypsy mythology. To them, they are as much as divine, as they are disposable.
Also, if you look at the director's (Emir Kusturica) past movies you will see references to Turkeys in almost every one, but nowhere more so than in his brilliant "Time of the Gypsies" http://us.imdb.com/Title?0097223 , which is availabe on VHS on "Foreign" shelf of certain "Blockbusters" or "Hollywood" video rentals in your town.
Emir Kusturica is sort of an Eastern European "Fellini" who won 2 "Palme D'Orr" in Cannes ("When Father Was Away on Business" 1985 & "Underground" 1995 http://us.imdb.com/Title?0114787 - also available at your local video rental store)
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Some of "Time of the Gypsies" user reviews @ http://us.imdb.com/CommentsShow?0097223
John Foster (jrfosterny)
Brooklyn, New York
Date: 6 June 2003
Summary: Among the best films ever made.
"Time of the Gypsies" is like a Fellini film, but it's freer and more wildly poetic. Anything goes with Kustirica, and although the culture depicted looks like anarchy, the film itself is masterfully directed, well-acted, and absolutely gorgeous. Immersing oneself into this film is to dive into a whirlpool of music, flashing lights, fire, lightning, rain, and even snow, where we and the characters are seduced together. One of the best films ever made.
...
Sami Lehtinen ([email protected])
Tampere, Finland
Date: 4 April 2003
Summary: Life of Gypsies in Early 90's Yugoslavia. With a Feeling.
This film rewards it's viewer. The more you see the more you enjoy the film. Everything is revealed in little delicate bits to the viewer and you start to know the characters and feel for them in little bits...
This is a movie that makes you feel and forces you to think.
If you don't like real-to-life characters, seeing poverty, life on Earth, emotions, then this movie is not for you.
...
tonic ([email protected])
Date: 23 November 2001
Summary: Amazing movie
Surreal, amazing and absorbing, there are not enough words to explain how great this movie is. I watched it late night on ITV in London from 2am to 4am only to catch a train the next day to Kent, but i don't regreat one moment of it. Am not even going to bother telling you what the film is about, because it really is one of those stories thats best kept to oneslf. Its like a good memory you keep to yourself. I have not seen any of the other Emir Kusturica films, but i will highly recommend this movie for all those that love fantasy, film and a good story.
...
Sarah ([email protected])
USA
Date: 29 April 2001
Summary: Beautiful
I'm glad I was bored on a Friday night and decided to browse the foreign film section. I randomly picked Time of the Gypsies, and now it is my favorite. The soundtrack, as well as the movie, is amazing. This film is unique in almost every aspect. It was moving without being too gushy or fake--I highly recommend seeing it. The other commentees have said pretty much everything else about this film in an nicely eloquent way, so I feel I need not elaborate. :)
....
Alice Liddel (-[email protected])
dublin, ireland
Date: 9 April 2001
Summary: Satiated.
'Time of the Gypsies' is a big, full movie.
It is full in the way a magic realism novel is full, with its intergenerational cast of characters; its vivid sense of place, the weather and community life, where private is always public, where joy and tragedy are inextricable; where magic, dream and delusion are indistinguishable.
It is full in the Fellini sense, with its grand, often hallucinatory, set pieces; its profusion of grotesques; its bursting compression of many plots; its general noisiness.
It is one film containing many simultaneous films (a gangster film; a surreal road movie; a romantic comedy; a rites-of-passage; a Christian allegory).
....
blados
Date: 16 June 2000
Summary: One of the best movies ever made!!!
And believe me, I've seen a whole lot of them! This movie is genuinely sincere and direct. It is also a very emotional; in the best meaning of the word; and vacuum-packed with unforgettable scenes. What about the river-scene on St. Giorgisday, Perhan's travel to Rome, Azra's dying, Perhan's finding his sister, his revenge and so on. The list could go on and on. Kusturica has never made a bad movie but this one is truly the best one for me although "Underground" is a masterpiece as well.
...
mopedsmurfen
Sweden
Date: 29 April 2000
Summary: The most beautiful film I have ever seen!
Well, after I saw this, I didn't know what to say. I have not seen another movie that has touched me as deeply as has this masterpiece by Emir Kusturica.
I believe further comments are superfluous, except for a note on the soundtrack in the film: AWESOME! If you are at all interested in movies and/or the Gypsy culture, you just *HAVE* to see this film. It's that good. (10+/10)
...
braindead
Date: 20 December 1999
Summary: a milestone in cinema history
This unbelievably beautiful movie is Kustirica's masterpiece without a doubt.Everything in this film is over the top,so there is no need to name them one by one here.All I can say is, go find a way to see this unique masterpiece.The soundtrack is also great,it is one of the best music written for a film in the movie history.This is really one the best movies ever,and it's a milestone in movie history;because "Time of the Gypsies" is a movie shot in a Gypsy language called Romany and although this language is spoken by a very tiny amount of people,everyone will be touched by this great movie.
...
daniel moore ([email protected])
Bratislava, Slovakia
Date: 21 September 1999
Summary: a picturesque image of what the gypsies are like ...
Emir Kusturica - it is just impossible to describe this man's ability to work with symbols ... HE IS THE GREATEST! Add Goran Bregovic and you can be sure this is not going to be a one-of-thousands movie.
The movie is a sad story of how the doom of the roma - a vicious circle - contributes to their reputation, how inescapable it is, how terrible ... entertainers as they are ... and thieves, burglars ... murders.
The main idea behind the movie's screen could probably be best expressed by a motto of the main hero: "Since i caught myself lying, i don't believe in anyone."
Shocking: depressive, impressive and expressive at the same time. Bravo to Emir, bravo to Goran!!!
...
Mitch McCabe ([email protected])
New York, NY
Date: 15 August 1999
Summary: One of the most beautiful films I've seen
A friend recommended this film to me when I asked her for films dealing with death and spirituality. After seeing the film, the connections are loose, especially when compared to how sentimentally American films deal with themes of death and hardship. The landscape, the characters and just about every visual moment in the film was like nothing I'd ever seen before. What an imaginitive, gutsy guy the director is. Officially one of my favorites!
...
Michael
Boston
Date: 6 March 1999
Summary: A Kusturica Masterpiece
This was the first Kusturica film I've seen and I was greatly impressed with it. It shows the transformation of a young, honest Gypsy boy from Yugoslavia into a thief and robber. He goes into crime because he needs money for his girlfriend's dowry. It is the first film completely in the Gypsy language, Romany. I think for all the people who are interested in Gypsy culture should see this film. It portrays them in a very positive and factual manner. The acting by Dujmovic who was also in Kusturica's Underground and when father was away on business was great.
...
Some of "Time of the Gypsies" user reviews @ http://us.imdb.com/CommentsShow?0097223
John Foster (jrfosterny)
Brooklyn, New York
Date: 6 June 2003
Summary: Among the best films ever made.
"Time of the Gypsies" is like a Fellini film, but it's freer and more wildly poetic. Anything goes with Kustirica, and although the culture depicted looks like anarchy, the film itself is masterfully directed, well-acted, and absolutely gorgeous. Immersing oneself into this film is to dive into a whirlpool of music, flashing lights, fire, lightning, rain, and even snow, where we and the characters are seduced together. One of the best films ever made.
...
Sami Lehtinen ([email protected])
Tampere, Finland
Date: 4 April 2003
Summary: Life of Gypsies in Early 90's Yugoslavia. With a Feeling.
This film rewards it's viewer. The more you see the more you enjoy the film. Everything is revealed in little delicate bits to the viewer and you start to know the characters and feel for them in little bits...
This is a movie that makes you feel and forces you to think.
If you don't like real-to-life characters, seeing poverty, life on Earth, emotions, then this movie is not for you.
...
tonic ([email protected])
Date: 23 November 2001
Summary: Amazing movie
Surreal, amazing and absorbing, there are not enough words to explain how great this movie is. I watched it late night on ITV in London from 2am to 4am only to catch a train the next day to Kent, but i don't regreat one moment of it. Am not even going to bother telling you what the film is about, because it really is one of those stories thats best kept to oneslf. Its like a good memory you keep to yourself. I have not seen any of the other Emir Kusturica films, but i will highly recommend this movie for all those that love fantasy, film and a good story.
...
Sarah ([email protected])
USA
Date: 29 April 2001
Summary: Beautiful
I'm glad I was bored on a Friday night and decided to browse the foreign film section. I randomly picked Time of the Gypsies, and now it is my favorite. The soundtrack, as well as the movie, is amazing. This film is unique in almost every aspect. It was moving without being too gushy or fake--I highly recommend seeing it. The other commentees have said pretty much everything else about this film in an nicely eloquent way, so I feel I need not elaborate. :)
....
Alice Liddel (-[email protected])
dublin, ireland
Date: 9 April 2001
Summary: Satiated.
'Time of the Gypsies' is a big, full movie.
It is full in the way a magic realism novel is full, with its intergenerational cast of characters; its vivid sense of place, the weather and community life, where private is always public, where joy and tragedy are inextricable; where magic, dream and delusion are indistinguishable.
It is full in the Fellini sense, with its grand, often hallucinatory, set pieces; its profusion of grotesques; its bursting compression of many plots; its general noisiness.
It is one film containing many simultaneous films (a gangster film; a surreal road movie; a romantic comedy; a rites-of-passage; a Christian allegory).
....
blados
Date: 16 June 2000
Summary: One of the best movies ever made!!!
And believe me, I've seen a whole lot of them! This movie is genuinely sincere and direct. It is also a very emotional; in the best meaning of the word; and vacuum-packed with unforgettable scenes. What about the river-scene on St. Giorgisday, Perhan's travel to Rome, Azra's dying, Perhan's finding his sister, his revenge and so on. The list could go on and on. Kusturica has never made a bad movie but this one is truly the best one for me although "Underground" is a masterpiece as well.
...
mopedsmurfen
Sweden
Date: 29 April 2000
Summary: The most beautiful film I have ever seen!
Well, after I saw this, I didn't know what to say. I have not seen another movie that has touched me as deeply as has this masterpiece by Emir Kusturica.
I believe further comments are superfluous, except for a note on the soundtrack in the film: AWESOME! If you are at all interested in movies and/or the Gypsy culture, you just *HAVE* to see this film. It's that good. (10+/10)
...
braindead
Date: 20 December 1999
Summary: a milestone in cinema history
This unbelievably beautiful movie is Kustirica's masterpiece without a doubt.Everything in this film is over the top,so there is no need to name them one by one here.All I can say is, go find a way to see this unique masterpiece.The soundtrack is also great,it is one of the best music written for a film in the movie history.This is really one the best movies ever,and it's a milestone in movie history;because "Time of the Gypsies" is a movie shot in a Gypsy language called Romany and although this language is spoken by a very tiny amount of people,everyone will be touched by this great movie.
...
daniel moore ([email protected])
Bratislava, Slovakia
Date: 21 September 1999
Summary: a picturesque image of what the gypsies are like ...
Emir Kusturica - it is just impossible to describe this man's ability to work with symbols ... HE IS THE GREATEST! Add Goran Bregovic and you can be sure this is not going to be a one-of-thousands movie.
The movie is a sad story of how the doom of the roma - a vicious circle - contributes to their reputation, how inescapable it is, how terrible ... entertainers as they are ... and thieves, burglars ... murders.
The main idea behind the movie's screen could probably be best expressed by a motto of the main hero: "Since i caught myself lying, i don't believe in anyone."
Shocking: depressive, impressive and expressive at the same time. Bravo to Emir, bravo to Goran!!!
...
Mitch McCabe ([email protected])
New York, NY
Date: 15 August 1999
Summary: One of the most beautiful films I've seen
A friend recommended this film to me when I asked her for films dealing with death and spirituality. After seeing the film, the connections are loose, especially when compared to how sentimentally American films deal with themes of death and hardship. The landscape, the characters and just about every visual moment in the film was like nothing I'd ever seen before. What an imaginitive, gutsy guy the director is. Officially one of my favorites!
...
Michael
Boston
Date: 6 March 1999
Summary: A Kusturica Masterpiece
This was the first Kusturica film I've seen and I was greatly impressed with it. It shows the transformation of a young, honest Gypsy boy from Yugoslavia into a thief and robber. He goes into crime because he needs money for his girlfriend's dowry. It is the first film completely in the Gypsy language, Romany. I think for all the people who are interested in Gypsy culture should see this film. It portrays them in a very positive and factual manner. The acting by Dujmovic who was also in Kusturica's Underground and when father was away on business was great.
...
From an interview with Kusturica.
GF: In Underground, you had a blaring brass band charging after the heroes, like a kind of crazy Greek chorus. In Black Cat, White Cat, it's a flock of geese. Why geese?
EK: In Gypsy mythology, geese are the animals who flew the Gypsies over the ocean and into Europe, which I think is beautiful. Geese are so elegant and somehow so intelligent that between one and many geese there is incredible harmony, plus they bring a great dynamic to a scene. It's also like a color you need to bring to a painting from time to time - my movies are not just based on the commercial need to tell a story. I like repeating those kinds of colors or motifs because they please me.
In 1967 late ex-Yugoslavian director Aleksandar Petrovic made a movie titled “Skupljaci perja“, which was distributed abroad as “I Even Met Happy Gypsies“, while the literal translation would be “The Feathers Collectors”. It’s because few among its main characters are Gypsies who make their living collecting and trading gees feathers (used in those times mostly for pillows – jackets came much later). Understandable, in the movie, there are several impressive scenes with gees running and flying around in gutter of Gypsy slams where most of the movie plot is set.
The movie was nominated for Oscar, won several prices on Cannes film festival, and some more prizes elsewhere. Until Kusturica, it was considered the best ex-Yugoslavian movie ever.
It’s very obvious that Kusturica having gees in both of his Gypsy movies (“Times of Gypsies” and ”Black Cat, White Cat”) has a lot to do with Petrovic’s movie. Those who like him may say it’s an homage to Petrovic and his movie, while those who do not like him probably see it as plain copycating.
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