Educational Sales

American Gypsy

“A fascinating window… confronts the prejudice and misperception that the Roma face in this country.”

Jasmine Dellal

Purchasing Options

Subject Areas: Anthropology, Civil Rights, Ethnography, Social Studies, Human Rights, Law & Criminal Justice, Race, Holocaust Studies, Romani Studies, Film StudiesLength: 1 hour, 19 min

Synopsis

There are one million Gypsies, or Rom, in America, who most people know nothing about. Never before has a camera been allowed in to explore their world. Shot over the course of five years, this feature documentary tells the lyrical tale of one Romani family in the United States who have broken the wall of secrecy surrounding their people. AMERICAN GYPSY follows the story of Jimmy Marks, a flamboyant community leader who becomes passionately obsessed with fighting a civil rights battle to defend his family, his history and his honor. His journey carries us into the Romani culture with scenes of Gypsies from around the world celebrating New Year in Las Vegas; the arranged marriage of teenagers; and car salesmen in Stetson hats driving Cadillacs. AMERICAN GYPSY is a glimpse of an immigrant world that is either on the verge of extinction or at a critical turning point for survival. It is a world that most of us have never had the chance to visit because this is the first time it is being presented on screen.

Reviews

A sharp and sophisticated film that succeeds admirably in raising critical questions about representation and ethnographic research while elegantly unfolding an engrossing narrative. I intend to use this film in my courses on ethnographic research methods.”
– Hugh Raffles, Dept. of Anthropology, UC Santa Cruz

“Much more than the story of a Romani family’s fight for justice, this film presents an inter-generational portrait of Roma both preserving their traditions and creatively adapting to new situations in a new world. This is a must-have stimulus for discussion in anthropology or sociology courses dealing with ethnicity, cultural resistance and assimilation, and racism.
– Ken Lee, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Univ. of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

“Raises issues of diversity and cultural pride, illustrated with fascinating interviews and historical photographs. Prejudice, discrimination, and racial profiling face Roma all over Europe, but few Americans realize that American Roma confront similar problems. This film would be excellent in anthropology, ethnic studies, American studies, and sociology courses.”
– Carol Silverman, Dept. of Anthropology, Univ. of Oregon

“I do not remember any movie or documentary that ever came close to this one in insight, clarity, pathos, or sheer empathy toward the Gypsy cause. In addition to the beauty of the background music, the history, the editing, and the sheer transparency of the images, I am struck by the film’s sensitivity to a problematic situation. This is a must-see in any class dealing with cultural differences or the role of the family.
– Antonio T. de Nicolas, Dept. of Philosophy Emeritus, State Univ. of New York at Stony Brook

What are Public Performance Rights?
Public Performance Rights (PPR) allow screenings of DVDs for educational purposes for up to 100 individuals (for more individuals, please email us.). PPR permit screenings in a classroom or library, or for a group outside the home when no admission is charged. PPR are included with DVDs purchased from this site and through the official film sites of the titles we represent only. DVDs purchased from home video retailers or through anyone other than this web site do NOT carry Public Performance Rights, and screening those DVDs for an audience is illegal. DVDs from those locations may be screened for private home-only use, unless Public Performance Rights are purchased separately or an open showing is arranged.
Do I need an Educational/Institutional copy?
If you are inquiring on behalf of a school, university, library, gallery, or any community center (JCC, Girl Scout troops, etc.) and are not charging admission, you must purchase an Institutional copy or purchase Public Performance Rights. If you plan to charge admission to the screening, you do not qualify for an Institutional copy. If you are not charging admission, but you plan to use the screening as a fundraiser, you do not qualify either. In these cases, please contact us at info@littledust.com to book a non-theatrical screening of AMERICAN GYPSY.
How much do Educational/Institutional copies cost?
Institutional pricing is set by the rights holder. An Institutional copy of AMERICAN GYPSY costs $250.00, not including shipping and handling. Public Performance Rights are good for the life of the media, so by purchasing the PPR once your organization can have unlimited screenings of the film as long as no admission is charged. All DVDs are sent through the United States Postal Service.
Do you accept Purchase Orders (PO)?
We prefer to deal with orders via PayPal, though if there are exceptional circumstances we may handle them if absolutely necessary. Please contact us at info@littledust.com for more information.
How soon will I receive my Institutional copy?
Your order will ship the same or the next business day. We require payment before sending your order.
I'd like to invite someone associated with the film to speak at my screening
Great! Please contact us at info@littledust.com for more information.
Do you have a study guide I can share with my students and/or group?
Yes, you can find the free study guide here.
I live outside the United States. Can I still order an Educational/Institutional DVD?
Yes, we also ship overseas!
I still have questions, how do I contact you?
Send an email to info@littledust.com.
Terms of Sale
By ordering an Institutional DVD from this site, you are agreeing to the following: I hereby certify that I will screen this film in the manner specified above. I will not reproduce in any manner, broadcast, or televise the film. I will be responsible for any damages incurred to the DVD. If a DVD is received in damaged or unsatisfactory condition, it may be exchanged for a new copy of the same film within 14 days of receipt. Public Performance Rights are good for the life of the media.
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AWARDS & SCREENINGS

Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary – San Francisco International Film Fest.
Best Documentary Award – Atlanta Film & Video Fest.
Golden Maile Award nomination – Hawaii International Film Fest.
Best Documentary – Golden Wheel Roma Fest.
Special Commendation – London: Out Of That Darkness Festival
Human Rights Watch Film Festival
Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival
Visual Anthropology Film & Video Festival, D.C.
Special Screenings at Ethnographic, Anthropological & Nationalism courses
Special University Screenings e.g. Columbia, NYU, Stanford, London’s SOAS
PBS, POV Series (season’s highest ratings)
Theatrical Release – NY, LA, SF, DC, Seattle, Taiwan, etc
New York Museum of Television & Radio

STUDY RESOURCES

American Gypsy Study Guide