Save the Romanian Gypsies

The documentary "Save the Romanian Gypsies" was presented by Mena Muria Foundation & Dutch Maluccan Group. The film focuses on a project by Gypsies in Romania. The group which is documented decided, with the help of Western donors, to buy a farm in order to become self sustaining since they no longer wanted to rely on food and cloth donations.

The aim of the project is the possibility for the Gypsies to support themselves and the possibility to create jobs for them. In a survey of the project, the film addresses different elements of the project, such as the school, the planned center for street children and home for the old and sick, and the building of a restaurant which will provide free meals during the tough winter season. Stores and shops have been set up by the Gypsies which further allowed for job creation.

The film does not describe the daily or cultural life of the Gypsies touched by the project but rather tries to illustrate their current situation and needs. The viewer is therefore also confronted with the hardship of their lives since the document shows poverty, hungry children and housing in very bad shape with several persons having to share the same small room.

This combination of showing the merits of the development project and at the same time reminding of the difficulties of the Gypsies in Romania ends with an attempt to mobilize the viewer not to forget about the Gypsies in Romania. The main purpose of the film seem to be the description of what has been done in the project and, regarding the fact that still much more has to be done, to raise donor support.

By: Sarah Furrer

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