Tony Gatlif

Directing

Tony Gatlif

Born September 10, 1948 · Algiers, Algeria

Died September 3, 2026 · aged 77

Tony Gatlif—born Boualem Michel Dahmani (Arabic: بوعلام دحماني)—was a French director, screenwriter, composer, actor, and producer, born on September 10, 1948, in Algiers, and who died on September 2, 2026, in Arles. Tony Gatlif was born in the suburbs of Algiers during the French colonial era into a modest family of diverse origins: his father was Kabyle, and his mother was a Gypsy of Andalusian…

Known For

Winter SongWinter Song · 2015
Winter Song
★ 6.42015
MovieComedyDrama
Two old friends have urban adventures connected to the skull of an executed French aristocrat.
The Crazy StrangerThe Crazy Stranger · 1998
The Crazy Stranger
★ 7.41998
MovieDramaMusic
A man is looking for a singer he had heard on cassette. He finds much more.
Visions of EuropeVisions of Europe · 2004
Visions of Europe
★ 5.12004
MovieDocumentaryComedy
Twenty-five films from twenty-five European countries by twenty-five European directors.
FreedomFreedom · 2009
Freedom
★ 6.52009
MovieDrama
A Gypsy family travels the French roads during the Second World War, followed by Little Claude, a young boy seeking a new family after his parents "left and never returned". Upon reaching a town where they traditionally stop for a few months and work in vineyards, they learn that a new law forbids them from being nomadic. Theodore, the town's mayor, and Miss Lundi, the schoolteacher, protect and help the Gypsies. Despite this, They are arrested and placed in an internment camp. Theodore manages to rescue them and gives them a piece of property where they must settle. But the Gypsies' deeply ingrained thirst for freedom makes this sedentary lifestyle difficult to bear. After Theodore and Miss Lundi are arrested for resistance, the Gypsies decide they must get back on the move in order to remain free.
I ComeI Come · 2000
I Come
★ 7.02000
MovieDramaMusic
Caco is a proud, handsome man, head of a family, and very powerful in the local community. Yet he has been torn to pieces by the death of his beloved daughter. He constantly visits her grave, weeps silently at her photo and has transferred all his wildly protective love and attention onto his mentally challenged nephew, Diego. It seems that Diego's father, Caco's brother, is in hiding after having killed a man from the Caravaca family, who are equally powerful in the community. They are looking for vengeance and have come to Caco for justice. When he refuses to betray his brother, the Caravacas grow impatient. When they realize they are getting nowhere, they threaten to kill Diego. Despite his fierce pride, Caco eventually realizes that the cycle of killing and revenge must be broken. But how can he achieve this and protect everyone he loves?
Corre, gitanoCorre, gitano · 1982
Corre, gitano
★ 5.01982
MovieMusicDrama
A teenager of gypsy race is accused of a crime he has not committed. For that reason, he decides to flee without truce until he reaches the coast. During his journey, he does not stop dancing.
Journey from GreeceJourney from Greece · 2017
Journey from Greece
★ 6.22017
MovieDramaMusic
Djam, a young Greek woman, is sent to Istanbul by her uncle Kakourgos, a former sailor with a passion for Rebetiko, to find a rare part that will repair their boat. In Istanbul, she encounters Avril, a nineteen-year-old French girl, alone and without any money, who came to Turkey as a voluntary worker with refugees. Djam, generous, cheeky, unpredictable, and free-spirited, takes Avril under her wing on the way to Mytilene. A journey filled with encounters, music, sharing, and hope.
Act of AggressionAct of Aggression · 1975
Act of Aggression
★ 4.81975
MovieDramaCrime
After his wife and daughter are raped and killed by a motorbike gang, a man sets out to take revenge.

Filmography

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FreedomFreedom · 2009
Freedom
★ 6.52009
MovieDrama
A Gypsy family travels the French roads during the Second World War, followed by Little Claude, a young boy seeking a new family after his parents "left and never returned". Upon reaching a town where they traditionally stop for a few months and work in vineyards, they learn that a new law forbids them from being nomadic. Theodore, the town's mayor, and Miss Lundi, the schoolteacher, protect and help the Gypsies. Despite this, They are arrested and placed in an internment camp. Theodore manages to rescue them and gives them a piece of property where they must settle. But the Gypsies' deeply ingrained thirst for freedom makes this sedentary lifestyle difficult to bear. After Theodore and Miss Lundi are arrested for resistance, the Gypsies decide they must get back on the move in order to remain free.

Director

I ComeI Come · 2000
I Come
★ 7.02000
MovieDramaMusic
Caco is a proud, handsome man, head of a family, and very powerful in the local community. Yet he has been torn to pieces by the death of his beloved daughter. He constantly visits her grave, weeps silently at her photo and has transferred all his wildly protective love and attention onto his mentally challenged nephew, Diego. It seems that Diego's father, Caco's brother, is in hiding after having killed a man from the Caravaca family, who are equally powerful in the community. They are looking for vengeance and have come to Caco for justice. When he refuses to betray his brother, the Caravacas grow impatient. When they realize they are getting nowhere, they threaten to kill Diego. Despite his fierce pride, Caco eventually realizes that the cycle of killing and revenge must be broken. But how can he achieve this and protect everyone he loves?

Screenplay

SwingSwing · 2002
Swing
★ 7.22002
MovieComedyDrama
In a suburb of Strasbourg, Alsace, France, ten year old boy, Max, spends his summer vacation with his grandmother. He hears Manouche gypsy Romani music being played in a local bar, and loves it. He goes to visit the gypsies in search of a guitar, where he meets a young Romani tomboy, 'Swing'. She introduces Max to her gypsy community who live in caravans and down-at-heel public housing. Over several days, Max is taken into the community to witness Romani lifestyle, traditions, knowledge of plants, and particularly their Manouche music. Max is particularly fascinated by Miraldo, the Romani guitarist he first heard in the bar, and asks to take guitar lessons with him (Miraldo is played by one of the greatest guitarists of gypsy jazz, Tchavolo Schmitt).

Writer