TRAVERSE

THE INSIDER
Several documentaryies have been released
about the tragic tales of the Roma, but the
numbers are still small. Some span the
stories of those who have migrated to
America or Canada. A People Uncounted adds a
refreshing outlook on the Roma who have been
affected by Hitler’s attempt to wipe out the gypsies
at the same time he attempted with the Jews. It’s
common knowledge (at least I hope it is) that the
Nazi death machine affected more than just the
Jewish population of Europe. Also caught in the
steamroller were homosexuals, the disabled,
Communists, Poles, Soviets, political dissenters
and the Romani.
Aaron Yeger’s 2011 documentary focuses on the
Romani’s fate under the Nazi regime. As a call for
remembrance, this is a powerful document. Yeger
tracks down numberous Romani survivors of the
camps, uncovering horrible stories of abuse. One
woman breaks down as she recalls eating human
flesh to survive. Another man tells of a nightmarish
encounter with the infamous Angel of Death,
Josef Mengele.
The film is not trying to shoulder aside memories
of the Jewish Holocaust; merely to add another
chapter to the Nazi’s list of crimes against humanity.
Modern Romani have even suggested Parrajmos
as an equivalent to the Hebrew word Shoah, and a
label for the half million or more of their people
slaughted in the camps. That is one reason why the
eyewitness accounts collected in this film cry out
to be heard.
“Sobering”—Now Magazine
“Deeply moving”—Toronto Film Scene
“Never loses the fine balance between portraying harrowing experiences while
maintaining its optimistic tone. It is very stirring and helps carve a niche for the
Roma community in history. A must-watch.”—Box Office India
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TRAVERSE 63