Was Charlie Chaplin Romani? Khamoro Festival presents Czech premiere of film about the famous comic
Musical icon Elvis Presley, Oscar-winning actor Yul Brynner, comic genius Charlie Chaplin. What did these world-famous figures have in common?
Allegedly all of them are of Romani origin. Although it is not generally known about them, their Romani identity played an essential role in their lives and work.
In the case of Charlie Chaplin, that part of his story has long remained in the shadows. The new documentary film “Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp” is trying to change that.
The film, the production of which news server Romea.cz reported on four years ago, reveals previously unpublished information about the family roots of the legendary performer. It opens the question of how much Chaplin’s work was influenced by his origins in particular.
The film will premiere in Czechia during the Khamoro World Roma Festival on 27 May at the Atlas cinema in Prague and will also screen on 30 May at the main library. “The festival has long reminded visitors not just of the cultural richness of the Roma, but also of significant figures of Romani origin who have shaped world art and society,” Jelena Silajdžić, director of Slovo 21, which holds the festival, told Romea.cz.
“This documentary film about Chaplin is an important contribution to knowledge about the history of the Roma and their identity in the wider context,” said Silajdžić.
Life in a caravan
Chaplin never spoke of his origin openly to outsiders. His children and grandchildren later confirmed that he was privately proud of his Romani heritage.
The film includes the story of a letter found after his death that indicates he was born in a caravan belonging to Romani people in Smethwick, England. The documentary also follows how his origins influenced his position on social questions.
“Thanks to recent research by my father Michael, we discovered our unbelievable, lesser-known Romani family roots and learned how that heritage permeated Charlie’s upbringing, which led us to a family tree full of artists. His story has already been described many times. Along with Ashim Bhalla, Isak Lacuesta, and Amaia Remirez, I felt the urge to tell it from a personal perspective through my father’s eyes,” said director Carmen Chaplin.
In addition to testimonies by members of the Chaplin family, famous figures of the contemporary world of arts also appear in the film, such as the painter Lita Cabellut, actor Johnny Depp, filmmakers Tony Gatlif and Emir Kusturica, and musician Stochelo Rosenberg.
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Khamoro continues through Saturday
The Khamoro World Roma Festival is the biggest event of its kind in the world. For 27 years it has been produced by Slovo 21 and Studio Production Saga.
Top-quality performers from all over the world are brought to Prague annually by the festival. Apart from concerts of contemporary or traditional Romani music or “gypsy jazz”, the program also offers debates among experts, theatrical productions, storytelling, and conferences.
Khamoro will be held in the Czech capital through Saturday, 31 May, when it ends with a closing gala concert at the SaSaZu club. Visitors can look forward to a total of six traditional Romani bands performing from Czechia, France, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, and Spain.
