Hopa lide: An Ethnomusicological Documentary on (and with) Slovak Romani Musicians Marushiakova Elena

Abstract

Who are Romani musicians? Members of a mysterious minority gatekeeping the carnival atmosphere, endowed with musical blood and a special talent to make people sing and dance? Or is that just one big myth? The documentary Hopa lide tackles this question unorthodoxly. Each of its three chapters depicts a collaboration between a Czech ethnomusicologist and Slovak Romani musicians in making music videos. The contact moving camera takes us through humorous scenes from both the stages and backstages of Romani performances but also through intimate moments uncovering musicians’ everyday struggles and secret dreams. The film challenges several preconceptions about Romani music, musicianship, and Roma in general. Out of the film’s three complementary yet independent chapters, the screening at the symposium features only its second part.