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

2 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

According to Emir Kusturica, making the film was the biggest adventure of his life.

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Connections

Spoofed in Tall Tales: Cowboy Djemo (2012)

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Soundtracks

Ederlezi
Arranged by Goran Bregovic
Performed by Vaska Jankovska

User Reviews

Powerful and moving

This movie shines as an example of pure art in cinema. So powerful with symbolism and story telling, "Time of Gypsies" delivers amazing performances on acting, settings, musical scores, and overall directing.

In year 1988, this movie was one of the most awaited films in the Istanbul International Film Festival. I was one of the lucky ones who had a ticket for the film. When the show time arrived, it was obvious that there was a problem since the film did not started. A lady from the festival committee came to the stage announcing their appology and explaining what the problem was; they were expecting the copy of the film from the its distributor in USA. Unfortunately there was a logistics problem, so they had to get it directly from Yugoslavia. When the festival organisation put their Yugoslavian translators at work they did not understand which language it was! And a cleaning lady, who was an actual gypsy figured out that the movie was in Gypsy language. So it was not possible to translate it for the festival.

So they offered an apology and refund in case anybody did not want to watch it without subtitles.

Nobody left the theatre. We watched the movie without understanding a word. But, at the end there was a standing ovation at the theatre went on for a couple of minutes.

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