Time of the Gypsies (1988)

In this luminous tale set in the area around Sarajevo and in Italy, Perhan, an engaging young Romany (gypsy) with telekinetic powers, is seduced by the quick-cash world of petty crime, which threatens to destroy him and those he loves.

Director:

Emir Kusturica

Writers:

Emir Kusturica, Gordan Mihic

Stars:

Davor Dujmovic, Bora Todorovic, Ljubica Adzovic

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Davor Dujmovic	...	Perhan
Bora Todorovic	...	Ahmed
Ljubica Adzovic	...	Khaditza - Grandmother
Husnija Hasimovic	...	Merdzan
Sinolicka Trpkova	...	Azra
Zabit Memedov	...	Zabit
Elvira Sali	...	Danira
Suada Karisik	...	Dzamila
Predrag Lakovic
Mirsad Zulic	...	Zef
Ajnur Redzepi	...	Perhan's son
Sedrije Halim	...	Ruza, Azra's mother
Saban Rojan
Branko Djuric	...	Sadam
Edin Rizvanovic

Storyline

In this luminous tale set in the former Yugoslavia, Perhan, an engaging young Romany with telekinetic powers, is seduced by the quick-cash world of petty crime that threatens to destroy him and those he loves.

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Plot Keywords:

yugoslavia | gypsy | killing an animal | supernatural power | paranormal phenomena | 

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Taglines:

"When God came down to earth he could not deal with the gypsies . . . and he took the next flight back"

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Received 5 minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.

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Connections

Features Breathless (1983)

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Soundtracks

Ederlezi
Arranged by Goran Bregovic
Performed by Vaska Jankovska

User Reviews

"Dom za vesanje" is not worse than "Karmelita"

In Russia we have a fine 300 minutes (without kidding) DVD release of the movie (the "director's cut"?). It has its moments. The first part is hilarious and witty. The second one is absurd and insane. The third is depressing and scary. The forth is enterprising and weird. The last one is violent and tragic. To crown it all, the only reason that this feature is an outsider (it is not in IMDb top 250) seems to be the following: not many people saw it.

It doesn't look like fiction. It feels quite gritty and has very adult topics. The Gypsies look and act like Gypsies (well, at least to my taste and knowledge). There was once a serial on Russian TV called "Karmelita", where the Gypsies were shown civilized, snobbish, stylish in their dressing, good-looking, etc. They were talking and talking (in pure Russian, of course, phonetically perfect), showing a little bit more emotion than lamas (sorry my exaggeration). Personally, very thankful to my relatives that they did not spend their precious watching that never ending fiction. The title song in that "Gypsy" serial was sung by Mr Nikolay Baskov (a real "Gypsy" with blond hair). It lasted as long as 200+ parts mixed with good portion of commercials. Instead of prolonged showing of the "epic" "Karmelita" our TV should have shown "Dom za vesanje". On the other hand, they would have spoiled the whole movie by pushing commercials into it. So, let the matter rest.

The only really bad thing about "Dom za vesanje" movie seems to be the way of its DVD presentation: after the end of each part there is a kind of sketch of the next one before the credits roll over. These spoilers are not enjoyable.

Still it also has some minor drawbacks. To me they are camera-work and the absence of powerful scenery shots, i.e. the lack of the contrast and the ability to see what happens in good detail.

An 8 for this poesy of human existence in hellish surroundings will do. Thank you for attention.

Details

Country:

UK Italy Yugoslavia

Language:

Romany Serbo-Croatian Italian English German

Release Date:

9 February 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tiempo de gitanos

Filming Locations:

Sutka, Macedonia

Box Office

Gross USA:

$280,015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Forum Sarajevo, Ljubavny Film, Lowndes Productions Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min 270 min (extended) 136 min (DVD) 270 min (alternate cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1