ACROSS THE TRACKS: THE VLACH GYPSIES OF HUNGARY

`Across the Tracks' is a gripping film for the general viewer ... It is beautifully filmed in observational style (lingering scenes of muddy courtyards) with enough subtitled interview material to provide context. A. Sutherland

51 minutes Colour 1988 
Film maker: John Blake
Anthropologist: Michael Stewart

Rom is the word that describes Vlach Gypsies, unassimilated descendents of Gypsy slaves in Wallachia in Romania in the 19th century. A larger group, the Romungro, are more obviously part of Hungarian society: they speak Hungarian, not Romany. Romungros are the people who play violins in restaurants; `true' Rom, the Vlach, wouldn't dream of it. The total Gypsy population in Hungary forms 3% of the population-the same proportion as people of Asian or Caribbean origin in Britain.

The film explores the Vlach Gypsies' position in socialist Hungary through the eyes of three related families. Maron and her husband Jozi are compelled by government policy to work in conventional jobs. The Rom consider this a step towards becoming more like the gazo-the contemptuous Romany term for all Hungarians, meaning `peasants'.

Jozi's first wife, Terez, and her husband Mokus try to realise their dreams in a different fashion. Terez scavenges in rubbish bins for bread to fatten pigs which she hopes to sell for Mokus to buy horses. Mokus reluctantly works in a factory but wants to be a horse dealer like his brother-in-law, Sera. Sera is disqualified from work by a `dubious' disability, and instead buys and sells horses, `turning money around, so that more comes to me.'

The market is central to the Gypsy economy, but it is not seen as a means of accumulating wealth. The market exists to circulate wealth, to ensure that money passes through as many hands as possible-so that all may benefit from it. If a Gypsy acquires money, he is expected to celebrate with his friends, his `brothers'. Horses are like temporary bank deposits, ready to be exchanged or cashed in when a `brother' needs money.

This film provides an interesting view of the tensions between the Hungarian state and the Gypsies, and of the complex contradictions of the Gypsies' lives. It was made for Granada Television's Disappearing World series and is recommended for classes in anthropology, sociology, European studies, ethnicity, ecology, and political studies. Catalogue number (VHS):RA/VHS185 £8. 

J. Okely, 1984. The Traveller-Gypsies. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

M. Stewart, 1989. `True Speech'. Man N.S., Vol. 24, pp. 79-101.

A. Sutherland, 1975. Gypsies: The Hidden Americans. Tavistock, London.

A. Sutherland, 1989. Review of the film. Anthropology Today, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 20-21.

If you are interested in hiring or purchasing this film please contact the Film Officer by or +44(0)20 7387 0455.

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