A People Uncounted
Autumn 2014 Documentary series
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 7:00pm
Acadia Cinema's Al Whittle Theatre
450 Main Street, Wolfville, NS
Directed by Aaron Yeger
Screenplay by Aaron Yeger
Starring
Rated NR ·
1h 39m
Canada
English , Hungarian, Romanian, Czech, Russian, and German
A People Uncounted
A People Uncounted tells the story of the Roma, commonly referred to as Gypsies―a people who have been both romanticized and vilified in popular culture. It is Canadian director Aaron Yeger’s first feature-length film, for which he was nominated by the Producers Guild of America for outstanding documentary producer of the year (2013).
The Roma have endured centuries of intolerance and persecution in Europe, most notably the Holocaust genocide where an estimated 500,000 were murdered. A People Uncounted documents their culturally rich yet often difficult lives, and demonstrates how their present state has been deeply shaped by the tragedies of the past.
Filmed in 11 countries and featuring dozens of Roma―including Holocaust survivors, historians, activists and musicians―A People Uncounted brings the Romani history to life through the rich interplay of their poetry, music, and compelling first-hand accounts. As ethnic intolerance flares up across Europe, the film sheds light on this unique culture while presenting the Roma tale as emblematic of the world’s legacy of racism and genocide.
“What Yeger stirs up is profoundly unsettling and deeply moving.” (Diana Clarke, Village Voice)
“Although no single documentary could give a comprehensive account of the Roma’s culture and history, Yeger’s doc offers a sobering, often harrowing understanding of a people and the workings of genocide.” (Dave McGinn, The Globe and Mail)