Country and year of production SR, 1999 Director Kirchhoff Robert Screenplay Kirchhoff Robert Director of photography Kollár Martin Film editor Varga Roman Language Slovak/English subtitles

The film “Black word / Kálo láv” ventures into the unknown world of the Slovak Roma, an ethnic group that lives on the margins of the Slovak society. Artist Fero Guldan spends a couple of days at the Hermanovce Roma settlement in eastern Slovakia in an attempt to capture the fragments of Roma life on film. In their own environment, the Roma talk openly about their nation that is rejected by the majority population, and the problems that cause their dismal state of affairs. Individual Roma, including a painter, journalist, musician and an unemployed individual, have each demonstrated a will to become a full-fledged member of society. They talk of romipen - the essence of what it means to be Roma. While respecting the cultural norms of the majority population, the Roma nonetheless hold on to their vibrant traditions and existential paradigm. Their ideals are confronted with the realities of living in one of the most poverty-ridden settlements in this country. >From the author’s point of view, an exploration of his own country turns into a journey into the world of the Roma, and becomes an account of the Roma identity and their feelings of isolation.

Academia Film Olomouc, 2000, ČR; Göttingen International Ethnographic Film Festival, Göttingen, Nemecko; 12. Filmfest Dresden 2000, Drážďany, Nemecko

Academia Film Olomouc 2000: Cena nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdeňky Hlávkových