The Crazy Stranger

I was truly captivated by this seductive journey into the well-insulated lives of the gypsies. It takes a non-judgmental view and refrains from clichés. The film takes on a somewhat cinema variete approach and uses many non-professional actors for the supporting roles. This approach was successful and didn't distract from film's story. The film follows a young Frenchman on a quest to find a gypsy singer on an audio tape he has. I was able to catch it late one night on cable and have not been able to find it in any video store for rent. This movie really needs a DVD release so we can get it from Netflix. Someone should pick this one up for release.

Gadjo Dilo stroked me in a most unconventional way. I saw it at a friend without knowing or expecting what it will be about. Very realistic and sincere, with raw images and beautiful shots, it simply shook me up. The way gypsies are presented is a true insight of their culture and way of living. The acting, done by amateurs at most, is flawless, especially by Izidor who delivers perfectly. Even if the story is hardly present, the movie doesn't need one as it slowly goesdeep with drama, comedy, ethnicity and music. Overall Gadjo Dilo (free translation Crazy Dude) is an unexpected gem from Tony Gatlif that is different from everything I've seen. Misto!

Great movie, i don't have enough words to say more. Those guys are my neighbours. The movie was shot in the small village of Cretulesti, two km away from my house. I know them, i lived among them, and yes , many of them are like in the movie. They live. The majority of the "white" population is discriminating them , considering that they are a inferior race. They have their guilt, but the government is doing nothing to change this situation. Comparing to this, Kusturica's movies are like little kittens. Tony Gatlif is a great story teller, with clean directing skills. This movie "hunted" me for a several days, i can't get enough of it. Despite their lack of mood for working, the gypsies are the greatest singers in the world. 10/10

I would just like to say a few words about the comment of bplesa, which is more or less correct, but, in my opinion, needs some explaining regarding the title of the movie. I doubt that "crazy romanian" would be a correct translation since the title most probably refers to the french guy which, obviously, is not romanian. It could be "extended" to "crazy stranger" since he is a stranger, but i think the only translation that can be considered correct is "Crazy Guy". Gadjo and Dilo, the two words from the title, are used in romanian slang, as "gagiu", respectively "diliu", and of course were adopted from Romani (the language of the gypsies). There meaning is: gagiu=guy, diliu=crazy, so... I think that says it all.

This film tells of one man's search for a singer amidst the chaotically beautiful gypsies of Roumania. It is a delicious, funny, crazy and richly erotic celebration of the wildness in the human spirit. Yet there is a shadowy undercurrent that surfaces at times in the film. This is honestly faced and thus the story avoids romanticising of a culture that the director evidently knows well (he was of gypsy birth himself). Despite the destructive power of this shadow what remains is a sense of the power of survival, joy, and a memory of music that is compelling beautiful.