Diddikai

Created for a project exploring sound design for moving image, this short video briefly covers the perception of Anglo-Romanies in contemporary England and the balance between social integration and losing their cultural identity. Inspired by the ethno-musicology of "Latcho Drom" by Tony Gatlif, and the autobiographical nature of "Angelo My Love" directed by Robert Duvall, and following in the path of Laszlo Moholy-Nagy's "Großstadtzigeuner", I have made this short film to document my perspectives of Anglo-Romany culture growing up. My personal feeling is that against the strong historical connections portrayed by Romanies across America and the rest of Europe, and against the glamorous appeal of that other "gypsy" line, modern Irish Travellers, Anglo-Romanies are one of Britain's most misrepresented minorities. I started out seeking to do what Moholy-Nagy did in 1932; document every aspect of Romany life (but those specifically in England and Wales) including the customs, language, and music, and lack of all three. I also wanted to demonstrate the love for family, the violence, and persecution felt in common with Romanies in other countries. Following an interview among family, however, the film became a way of documenting the state and decline of Anglo-Romany lifestyles today. "Mandi Velled to Puv the Gry" - Performed by myself, is the extent of Romany music known to most in Britain today. "Don't Be Cruel" - Performed by Robert Stewart, demonstrates the long-term enthusiasm for mixing of cultures often missed in media portrayals of Romanies. "Jelem Jelem" - Performed by myself, is the national anthem of Romanies, and is set against the demise of cultural identity taking place in the country today. Poetry comes from "Hidy-Hole and the Inner Sanctum" by Andrew Kötting, which ponders the nature of "home", and whose film style had a big influence on some of my editing choices. Video references: “21 Moholy Großstadt Zigeuner”, dir. Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. Milán Márványkövi. 27 July 2013. YouTube. Web. 1 February 2018. “A Very Gypsy Christening ¦ My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”, TLC. 23 April 2012. YouTube. Web. 31 January 2018. “Gypsy Blood – Original Trailer (with some unseen footage)”, dir. Leo Maguire. MegaBlainy. 5 January 2013. YouTube. Web. 23 January 2018. “Gypsies Bury Queen (1960)”, British Pathé. 13 April 2014. YouTube. Web. 22 January 2018. “Gypsies (1952)”. British Pathé. 13 April 2014. YouTube. Web. 1 February 2018. “Gypsy Fight 2017 David Joyce and Michael Navin”, Latest News. 27 December 2017. YouTube. Web. 23 January 2018. “Gypsy Problem – Merton (1970-1979)”, British Pathé. 13 April 2014. YouTube. Web. 1 February 2018. “Now This Is What I Call Fly Tipping”, subterraneansecret. 15 Jan 2017. YouTube. Web. 23 January 2018. “Police Taser Protesters Dale Farm Eviction Turns Violent”, prod. BBC, NewsX Gallery. 23 September 2016. YouTube. Web. 23 January 2018. “Romany Gypsies in Canterbury Kent 1939”, Hinton Admiral. 29 September 2009. YouTube. Web. 1 February 2018. “Surrey Gypsy Day”, TravellerTimes. 22 June 2010. YouTube. Web. 31 January 2018.