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Life 8 - Darkness on the Edge of Town
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- Transcript
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Film director Arpad Bogdan took a fateful step, looking for his gypsy roots for the Life 6 series. Should he now stay in touch with his newfound family? And how should he react to the current political threats that face other Roma populations in Hungary today? Hungary's fragile economy was badly hit by the economic crisis in the fall of 2008, with growing social tensions leading to a spate of horrific attacks on gypsy families. This episode of Life 8 follows Arpad as he sets out to discover what's behind the new wave of anti-Roma sentiment in Hungary. Arpad is convinced that only social change and greater acceptance will allay Roma fears.
'There is a continuous challenge of trying to strike a balance in the film[s]...[The films] can be used successfully in stimulating a discussion amongst the youth about the negative aspects of such a life as well as an exploration of alternatives.' Teboho Moja, Clinical Professor of Higher Education, New York University
Citation
Main credits
Mészáros, Antónia (Director)
Mészáros, Antónia (Producer)
Bradshaw, Steve (Narrator)
Other credits
Music, Membrán, Audio Network; camera, Dávid Szepesi; editors, Adam Tösér, Smita Malde.
Distributor subjects
Anthropology; Conflict Resolution; Economics; European Studies; Geography; Immigration; Labor and Work Issues; Migration and Refugees; Multicultural Studies; Poverty; Race and Racism; Social Psychology; SociologyKeywords
WEBVTT
00:00:01.233 --> 00:00:03.233
Last year we followed
00:00:03.234 --> 00:00:05.200
Hungarian film director
Arpád Bogdán
00:00:05.234 --> 00:00:08.634
as he tried to come to terms
with his Gypsy past.
00:00:08.667 --> 00:00:10.934
Since then, the plight
of Hungary\'s Roma
00:00:10.968 --> 00:00:13.234
has taken a sinister turn
for the worse,
00:00:13.267 --> 00:00:17.801
as Arpád now discovers
for himself.
00:00:17.834 --> 00:00:20.801
[dramatic music]
00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:09.534
He\'d been brought up
in state orphanages.
00:01:09.567 --> 00:01:10.801
[Bodgán speaking Hungarian]
00:01:10.834 --> 00:01:12.701
male translator:
You come out of state care,
00:01:12.734 --> 00:01:14.100
and even if you know
you\'re a Gypsy,
00:01:14.133 --> 00:01:15.834
you can\'t really relate to that
00:01:15.868 --> 00:01:19.000
because you don\'t understand
the cultural heritage,
00:01:19.033 --> 00:01:20.601
you don\'t speak the language,
00:01:20.634 --> 00:01:24.901
and you don\'t share
the same values as the Roma.
00:01:24.934 --> 00:01:27.067
Bradshaw: As we filmed,
Arpád learned
00:01:27.100 --> 00:01:30.400
his mother had died.
00:01:30.434 --> 00:01:32.734
He did find his father.
00:01:35.100 --> 00:01:41.934
- Whether I\'ll ever want to see
my father again...
00:01:41.968 --> 00:01:47.801
well...
00:01:47.834 --> 00:01:48.968
maybe I will.
00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:50.300
[dog barks]
00:01:50.334 --> 00:01:52.501
Bradshaw: But since then,
Arpád decided
00:01:52.534 --> 00:01:55.467
not to stay in touch.
00:01:57.868 --> 00:02:01.300
He\'s spent the last few months
learning English abroad.
00:02:03.334 --> 00:02:06.267
This summer, Arpád flew
back home to Hungary
00:02:06.300 --> 00:02:10.400
to find the Roma
had become headline news.
00:02:10.434 --> 00:02:12.968
In a country hard-hit
by the global recession,
00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:14.868
the extreme right
has gained ground
00:02:14.901 --> 00:02:17.534
partly by targeting the Roma.
00:02:17.567 --> 00:02:19.901
They call Gypsies
welfare dependents
00:02:19.934 --> 00:02:23.133
and petty criminals.
00:02:23.167 --> 00:02:26.067
Many agree.
00:02:26.100 --> 00:02:30.234
Then in 2008, the start
of a series of vicious attacks
00:02:30.267 --> 00:02:31.501
shocks Hungary.
00:02:31.534 --> 00:02:34.734
The only thing linking
the victims is their race.
00:02:34.767 --> 00:02:36.968
15 Gypsy houses are attacked,
00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:40.601
always at night,
all at the edge of villages,
00:02:40.634 --> 00:02:43.400
five people killed,
including a woman
00:02:43.434 --> 00:02:46.000
and a four-year-old child.
00:02:49.968 --> 00:02:54.133
- All this is happening
in a terrible social climate.
00:02:54.167 --> 00:02:59.667
And it\'s in society
we have to look for the answers.
00:03:03.067 --> 00:03:04.467
Bradshaw: In a Budapest pub,
00:03:04.501 --> 00:03:08.434
Arpád is trying to find
some answers with his friends.
00:03:10.100 --> 00:03:11.267
- Many things come to mind:
00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:13.601
a foreign secret service,
the extreme right,
00:03:13.634 --> 00:03:14.968
the political left,
00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:19.667
or it could just be a crazy
individual with a grudge.
00:03:19.701 --> 00:03:23.033
- The prejudice people have
that many Roma are criminals
00:03:23.067 --> 00:03:25.701
must have led some
to the misguided conclusion
00:03:25.734 --> 00:03:30.100
that they can restore order
this way.
00:03:30.133 --> 00:03:32.701
- It would be horrible enough
if someone thought
00:03:32.734 --> 00:03:35.133
that he could identify Roma
who are criminals
00:03:35.167 --> 00:03:36.667
and kill them,
00:03:36.701 --> 00:03:39.200
but there\'s no logic
in trying to restore order
00:03:39.234 --> 00:03:40.667
by killing a child.
00:03:40.701 --> 00:03:43.567
That doesn\'t make
any sense at all.
00:03:43.601 --> 00:03:46.334
- Gypsies are rats to them,
just rats.
00:03:46.367 --> 00:03:49.300
That\'s why our women and
children can be slaughtered:
00:03:49.334 --> 00:03:51.834
because we\'re nobodies.
00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:54.968
Bradshaw: A few days later,
in August,
00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:58.801
another attack.
00:03:58.834 --> 00:04:01.167
- I heard that people
who condemn these attacks
00:04:01.200 --> 00:04:02.567
are invited to the funeral
00:04:02.601 --> 00:04:05.200
to express their sympathy
to the family.
00:04:05.234 --> 00:04:08.501
I think
I have to be there too.
00:04:08.534 --> 00:04:12.767
[men and women singing
in Hungarian]
00:04:12.801 --> 00:04:15.000
Bradshaw: The killers
have become more confident.
00:04:15.033 --> 00:04:18.767
This time, for the first time,
they entered the Gypsies\' house.
00:04:18.801 --> 00:04:21.901
They shot a single mother
and her 13-year-old daughter
00:04:21.934 --> 00:04:23.501
in their sleep.
00:04:23.534 --> 00:04:24.934
As her mother is buried,
00:04:24.968 --> 00:04:28.567
the girl is fighting
for her life in hospital.
00:04:28.601 --> 00:04:33.300
For her grandmother,
the pain\'s too much to take.
00:04:33.334 --> 00:04:34.734
After the funeral,
00:04:34.767 --> 00:04:37.901
Arpád is invited to the wake
at the crime scene.
00:04:37.934 --> 00:04:40.868
Most relatives are afraid
to be seen on camera,
00:04:40.901 --> 00:04:42.167
but there\'s one exception:
00:04:42.200 --> 00:04:45.334
the victim\'s niece, Virág.
00:04:45.367 --> 00:04:46.601
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:04:46.634 --> 00:04:48.734
female translator: She was
a kind, cheerful person.
00:04:48.767 --> 00:04:50.734
We spoke every day.
00:04:50.767 --> 00:04:52.467
She always asked how I was,
00:04:52.501 --> 00:04:55.300
though mostly, she could tell
just by looking at me.
00:04:55.334 --> 00:04:58.467
We were so close.
00:04:58.501 --> 00:05:01.634
- And the little girl-
is she getting better?
00:05:01.667 --> 00:05:03.100
- She can still barely speak,
00:05:03.133 --> 00:05:06.367
but she still keeps asking
about her mother.
00:05:06.400 --> 00:05:08.367
Her mother meant
everything to her.
00:05:08.400 --> 00:05:10.968
She was her best friend too.
00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:14.767
People are saying how
professional these killers are,
00:05:14.801 --> 00:05:16.634
and that really upsets me.
00:05:16.667 --> 00:05:18.701
I don\'t think we can call people
professional
00:05:18.734 --> 00:05:24.367
who attack two innocent,
vulnerable women.
00:05:24.400 --> 00:05:28.367
Bradshaw: After each attack,
Roma leaders visit the families.
00:05:28.400 --> 00:05:30.300
Aladar Horvath suggests
00:05:30.334 --> 00:05:32.300
a particularly sinister
explanation
00:05:32.334 --> 00:05:35.000
for the attacks and murders.
00:05:35.033 --> 00:05:37.400
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:05:37.434 --> 00:05:39.601
male translator: I think
this is a provocation,
00:05:39.634 --> 00:05:42.767
probably to get the Roma
to hit back at the Hungarians,
00:05:42.801 --> 00:05:44.934
to shoot back at them.
00:05:44.968 --> 00:05:47.133
And once that happens,
00:05:47.167 --> 00:05:50.701
all further murders of the Roma
will seem justified.
00:05:50.734 --> 00:05:54.434
And if it comes to
any kind of a Gypsy revolt,
00:05:54.467 --> 00:05:57.200
the state can use
full force to crush it.
00:06:01.267 --> 00:06:02.834
Bradshaw:
Arpád decides to visit
00:06:02.868 --> 00:06:07.000
the family of the first victims
in Nagycsécs.
00:06:07.033 --> 00:06:08.300
As in most attacks,
00:06:08.334 --> 00:06:10.868
Molotov cocktails were thrown
through the window.
00:06:10.901 --> 00:06:15.334
As they ran for safety,
the Gypsies inside were shot.
00:06:15.367 --> 00:06:17.934
The house chosen was always
at the edge of the village,
00:06:17.968 --> 00:06:22.667
easy to attack
and easy to get away.
00:06:23.834 --> 00:06:25.434
- You think they came
from there?
00:06:25.467 --> 00:06:29.501
- Yes, where they came from
and where they went.
00:06:29.534 --> 00:06:31.767
Bradshaw: Tibor lost
both his wife
00:06:31.801 --> 00:06:34.300
and his disabled brother
in the attack.
00:06:34.334 --> 00:06:37.534
Donations enabled him
to rebuild most of the house,
00:06:37.567 --> 00:06:41.968
but the fear would not go away.
00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:45.000
- I hear they kept on killing
here and there and everywhere.
00:06:45.033 --> 00:06:47.367
I\'m just glad
they haven\'t come back here.
00:06:47.400 --> 00:06:48.868
- At night,
I hear the dog bark.
00:06:48.901 --> 00:06:50.868
I go out, look around:
nothing.
00:06:50.901 --> 00:06:53.267
Half an hour later,
the dog barks again.
00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:55.634
I check again;
can\'t see anyone out there.
00:06:55.667 --> 00:06:57.067
But I\'m not afraid.
00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:59.200
They can come shoot me
if they want.
00:06:59.234 --> 00:07:01.133
Isn\'t it enough
they killed my family?
00:07:01.167 --> 00:07:04.467
They might as well
shoot me too.
00:07:08.400 --> 00:07:11.167
- Having been
to some of the crime scenes,
00:07:11.200 --> 00:07:13.734
it strikes me that
the killers seem to choose
00:07:13.767 --> 00:07:16.267
the poorest,
most vulnerable people,
00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:20.033
the ones least able
to get their voices heard.
00:07:20.067 --> 00:07:21.234
But I know someone
00:07:21.267 --> 00:07:23.667
who has a slightly
different perspective,
00:07:23.701 --> 00:07:26.400
because she is also
a kind of an expert.
00:07:26.434 --> 00:07:27.767
She\'s a sociologist,
00:07:27.801 --> 00:07:31.834
and she lost her uncle
in one of the attacks.
00:07:31.868 --> 00:07:34.868
[woman speaking Hungarian]
00:07:34.901 --> 00:07:37.567
- We have seen
time and time again in Hungary
00:07:37.601 --> 00:07:40.300
that when a Roma person
does something bad,
00:07:40.334 --> 00:07:42.234
it is never just about him.
00:07:42.267 --> 00:07:44.968
It becomes a much bigger story.
00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:47.167
People generalize,
00:07:47.200 --> 00:07:50.767
and the Roma get
a kind of collective punishment.
00:07:50.801 --> 00:07:52.400
On the other hand,
00:07:52.434 --> 00:07:54.667
solidarity doesn\'t seem to work
as effectively,
00:07:54.701 --> 00:07:56.934
not towards the Roma, anyway,
00:07:56.968 --> 00:07:59.200
not even
when children are killed,
00:07:59.234 --> 00:08:02.934
not even when people
are being gunned down.
00:08:02.968 --> 00:08:07.267
- There should have been
more of a public outcry.
00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:11.901
- Yes, I certainly haven\'t seen
the sort of national outrage
00:08:11.934 --> 00:08:14.200
I would have expected.
00:08:14.234 --> 00:08:18.300
I do have a personal link
to this story
00:08:18.334 --> 00:08:21.400
because...
00:08:25.901 --> 00:08:30.100
Sorry, I can\'t bring myself
to even say it.
00:08:37.801 --> 00:08:38.968
Do you understand?
00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:40.033
- I understand.
00:08:43.234 --> 00:08:44.467
Bradshaw: Next morning,
00:08:44.501 --> 00:08:47.567
Agnes takes Arpád
to the local Gypsy ghetto
00:08:47.601 --> 00:08:49.767
on the edge of town.
00:08:49.801 --> 00:08:55.300
1,500 people live here,
almost all on benefits.
00:08:55.334 --> 00:08:59.734
Very few homes
have running water.
00:08:59.767 --> 00:09:01.834
- There\'s a strong expectation
00:09:01.868 --> 00:09:04.167
that the Roma
should blend into society,
00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:07.501
but you have to take
into account where we come from.
00:09:07.534 --> 00:09:09.200
And for many families,
00:09:09.234 --> 00:09:12.234
a starting point
is an environment like this.
00:09:12.267 --> 00:09:14.267
There can be no entrepreneurs,
00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:18.234
no intelligentsia
coming from a place like this.
00:09:18.267 --> 00:09:20.167
It\'s very tough.
00:09:22.534 --> 00:09:25.434
Bradshaw: It seems
everyone here has a problem.
00:09:25.467 --> 00:09:26.801
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:09:26.834 --> 00:09:28.200
female translator:
Look here.
00:09:28.234 --> 00:09:31.033
Look here;
I got a letter about my house,
00:09:31.067 --> 00:09:33.801
but I can\'t read or write.
00:09:33.834 --> 00:09:36.634
Can you help me?
00:09:36.667 --> 00:09:38.467
- This is from a bank.
00:09:38.501 --> 00:09:40.634
Your house has been mortgaged.
00:09:40.667 --> 00:09:44.100
- Yes, but if I start losing
my little pension,
00:09:44.133 --> 00:09:45.634
what will I eat?
00:09:45.667 --> 00:09:48.667
What will become of me?
00:09:48.701 --> 00:09:51.000
This is my house right here.
00:09:51.033 --> 00:09:52.968
You can come in,
if you want.
00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.501
Come in. Come in.
00:09:57.167 --> 00:09:59.767
Come this way.
00:10:04.400 --> 00:10:08.334
Bradshaw: The murders are
on everyone\'s mind.
00:10:08.367 --> 00:10:10.901
- Gypsies are being slaughtered.
00:10:10.934 --> 00:10:13.167
I can\'t understand why.
00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:16.834
Why can\'t people see
that we\'re just like them?
00:10:16.868 --> 00:10:17.968
We\'re not animals.
00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:20.267
Why do they have to do this?
00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:22.267
I\'m so afraid.
00:10:22.300 --> 00:10:24.868
Get out. Get out.
00:10:26.734 --> 00:10:29.033
There are those who steal;
that\'s true.
00:10:29.067 --> 00:10:31.100
I understand
if they\'re punished,
00:10:31.133 --> 00:10:33.868
but only by the courts
or the police.
00:10:33.901 --> 00:10:37.434
Take that cat out of here
this instant!
00:10:37.467 --> 00:10:40.100
I remember when I was little.
00:10:40.133 --> 00:10:41.834
They came
and gathered the Jews.
00:10:41.868 --> 00:10:43.934
They were taken and burned.
00:10:43.968 --> 00:10:46.868
That\'s what some people
want to do to the Gypsies.
00:10:46.901 --> 00:10:49.067
I just wish they\'d
get it over with already.
00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:51.400
What is our life worth,
anyway?
00:10:51.434 --> 00:10:53.734
They\'ll come and kill us
sooner or later.
00:10:59.167 --> 00:11:02.868
Bradshaw: Agnes\' friend Janos
is a Gypsy teacher.
00:11:02.901 --> 00:11:04.334
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:11:04.367 --> 00:11:06.601
male translator: Fixing
the houses wouldn\'t be enough.
00:11:06.634 --> 00:11:09.400
It\'s about employment,
education, and health care too.
00:11:09.434 --> 00:11:11.501
They would have to be
moved away from here,
00:11:11.534 --> 00:11:14.033
because physical integration
is the only way
00:11:14.067 --> 00:11:17.367
to get them
out of these circumstances.
00:11:17.400 --> 00:11:20.467
What\'s missing is the money
and the social will.
00:11:20.501 --> 00:11:23.701
If these 1,500 people
were moved into the town,
00:11:23.734 --> 00:11:26.100
there\'d be huge outcry.
00:11:26.133 --> 00:11:28.567
And once there\'s a ghetto,
it\'s no surprise
00:11:28.601 --> 00:11:31.400
that people start behaving
like people in ghettos do,
00:11:31.434 --> 00:11:35.300
and crime is a part of that,
no doubt.
00:11:37.501 --> 00:11:39.534
Bradshaw: To find out
what the government is doing,
00:11:39.567 --> 00:11:44.000
Arpád visits the official
in charge of Roma issues.
00:11:44.033 --> 00:11:45.167
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:47.300
male translator:
There are 650 Gypsy ghettoes
00:11:47.334 --> 00:11:52.033
in Hungary today
with 130,000 inhabitants.
00:11:52.067 --> 00:11:53.501
And for a long time,
00:11:53.534 --> 00:11:56.467
nobody realized that
it\'s impossible to go to school
00:11:56.501 --> 00:11:58.701
or kindergarten
from these places.
00:11:58.734 --> 00:12:00.467
It\'s impossible to get work.
00:12:00.501 --> 00:12:04.667
- Since you\'ve been in this job,
00:12:04.701 --> 00:12:07.100
what successes have you had?
00:12:07.133 --> 00:12:11.501
- Looking at
the situation today,
00:12:11.534 --> 00:12:13.667
I don\'t think
any politician can say
00:12:13.701 --> 00:12:16.100
that they\'ve achieved
great things.
00:12:16.133 --> 00:12:18.534
This might sound harsh,
00:12:18.567 --> 00:12:20.701
but I think
the Roma in this country
00:12:20.734 --> 00:12:23.667
still haven\'t had
any kind of a new deal.
00:12:26.133 --> 00:12:30.100
It\'s the responsibility
of society.
00:12:30.133 --> 00:12:32.367
It\'s not about politicians.
00:12:32.400 --> 00:12:35.667
Politics would change
if society did.
00:12:35.701 --> 00:12:39.200
It\'s just that people
would have to understand
00:12:39.234 --> 00:12:41.400
that the Roma are citizens
00:12:41.434 --> 00:12:45.234
just like anybody else.
00:12:45.267 --> 00:12:47.667
[applause]
00:12:47.701 --> 00:12:49.968
Bradshaw: But society
is not changing.
00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:52.300
At an antiracist rally
in Budapest,
00:12:52.334 --> 00:12:54.968
turnout is
disappointingly low.
00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:58.367
- We must raise our voices
in opposition
00:12:58.400 --> 00:13:03.934
to racism, sexism, xenophobia,
homophobia, and Romaphobia.
00:13:03.968 --> 00:13:07.367
[cheers and applause]
00:13:07.400 --> 00:13:10.300
Bradshaw: As tensions rise
and accusations fly,
00:13:10.334 --> 00:13:12.901
the Roma claim
they\'re not only being murdered,
00:13:12.934 --> 00:13:15.534
but they\'re also being framed.
00:13:15.567 --> 00:13:16.601
[man speaking Hungarian]
00:13:16.634 --> 00:13:18.300
male translator:
Ladies and gentlemen,
00:13:18.334 --> 00:13:21.434
and now Erno Setét will perform
a traditional Gypsy dance.
00:13:21.467 --> 00:13:26.434
- [beat boxing]
00:13:26.467 --> 00:13:29.434
[chanting in Romany]
00:13:35.015 --> 00:13:38.095
Bradshaw: Arpád\'s
Gypsy musician friend Erno Setét
00:13:38.160 --> 00:13:40.260
was jailed for 17 months
for a robbery,
00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:43.300
even though
he had solid alibis.
00:13:43.475 --> 00:13:46.075
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:13:46.209 --> 00:13:48.009
male translator:
I had 40 witnesses
00:13:48.234 --> 00:13:50.567
and a video recording proving
that I was playing a concert
00:13:50.601 --> 00:13:53.300
300 kilometers
away from the crime scene,
00:13:53.334 --> 00:13:55.868
but neither the judge
nor the police believed it.
00:13:55.901 --> 00:13:58.234
The judge said,
\"In your community,
00:13:58.267 --> 00:14:00.167
\"it is a given
that you will find people
00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:02.667
to say anything
you want them to.\"
00:14:02.701 --> 00:14:05.968
Bradshaw: Erno was eventually
cleared on appeal.
00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.267
During his time in jail,
he lost his job,
00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:09.400
and his wife left him,
00:14:09.434 --> 00:14:11.200
taking
their two-year-old daughter.
00:14:11.234 --> 00:14:13.834
Erno is convinced
he was framed by the police
00:14:13.868 --> 00:14:15.334
simply for being Roma.
00:14:15.367 --> 00:14:17.267
And he\'s not the only one
who feels
00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:22.267
that the Roma are blamed
for crimes they didn\'t commit.
00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:27.367
- There\'s a case where
the community of a small town
00:14:27.400 --> 00:14:29.534
accused three Roma boys
00:14:29.567 --> 00:14:32.801
with the rape and murder
of a young girl.
00:14:32.834 --> 00:14:34.667
Everyone felt so strongly,
00:14:34.701 --> 00:14:37.434
they even organized
a demonstration
00:14:37.467 --> 00:14:41.767
that extreme right-wing groups
also took part in.
00:14:41.801 --> 00:14:44.300
5,000 people were there.
00:14:44.334 --> 00:14:46.801
And the mayor
made a speech to say,
00:14:46.834 --> 00:14:49.968
\"Enough of Gypsy violence.\"
00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.300
The boys were later cleared,
00:14:52.334 --> 00:14:57.100
and the perpetrator proved to be
a white Hungarian.
00:14:57.133 --> 00:15:01.501
I want to see how the three boys
felt about all this.
00:15:01.534 --> 00:15:02.834
Bradshaw:
The boys volunteered
00:15:02.868 --> 00:15:05.934
for any testing
necessary to clear their names,
00:15:05.968 --> 00:15:09.734
but many here in Kiskunlacháza
still doubt their innocence
00:15:09.767 --> 00:15:11.701
in the face of DNA evidence
00:15:11.734 --> 00:15:15.200
and a confession
by a man now under arrest.
00:15:15.234 --> 00:15:18.634
- They treated us badly,
00:15:18.667 --> 00:15:22.434
not like a normal
police interrogation but like-
00:15:22.467 --> 00:15:23.667
- \"You bloody Gypsy,
00:15:23.701 --> 00:15:29.133
what were you wearing
when you killed her?\"
00:15:29.167 --> 00:15:31.167
- We felt pretty bad
to be accused of such a thing
00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:33.234
when we barely even steal
as it is.
00:15:33.267 --> 00:15:35.534
- The police
only changed their tune
00:15:35.567 --> 00:15:38.133
when they saw
the lie detector test results.
00:15:38.167 --> 00:15:39.667
We all passed.
00:15:41.634 --> 00:15:43.601
Bradshaw: Around town,
Arpád finds
00:15:43.634 --> 00:15:45.634
that resentment
against the Roma here
00:15:45.667 --> 00:15:48.634
is stronger than anything
he\'s ever experienced.
00:15:48.667 --> 00:15:51.234
Few people would speak
on camera,
00:15:51.267 --> 00:15:54.234
but almost everyone tells
a similar tale:
00:15:54.267 --> 00:15:56.868
the Roma, and the three boys
in particular,
00:15:56.901 --> 00:16:01.834
simply don\'t have
a good reputation.
00:16:01.868 --> 00:16:04.467
- These boys are the black sheep
of the community,
00:16:04.501 --> 00:16:06.334
it is safe to say.
00:16:06.367 --> 00:16:08.534
- The Roma break into houses.
00:16:08.567 --> 00:16:10.100
They attack people
on the street,
00:16:10.133 --> 00:16:13.000
and they snatch handbags.
00:16:13.033 --> 00:16:15.367
- I heard something
about another little girl.
00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:17.067
[woman speaking Hungarian]
00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:19.968
female translator: Yes,
that was my godson\'s daughter.
00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.634
She was robbed while
she was walking home from school
00:16:22.667 --> 00:16:24.934
by eight boys.
00:16:27.234 --> 00:16:29.434
- Who were these boys?
00:16:29.467 --> 00:16:33.601
- Gypsies, I\'m afraid.
00:16:33.634 --> 00:16:37.634
- There are
a few Roma families here
00:16:37.667 --> 00:16:39.300
who do cheat, steal, and rob.
00:16:39.334 --> 00:16:40.767
But hold on a second.
00:16:40.801 --> 00:16:44.567
There is no reason
to generalize.
00:16:44.601 --> 00:16:49.133
The anti-Gypsy sentiment
in this town is outrageous.
00:16:49.167 --> 00:16:51.167
Good-bye.
00:16:59.400 --> 00:17:01.767
- I came here because
I thought I could prove
00:17:01.801 --> 00:17:04.534
how unfounded
the anti-Gypsy prejudice
00:17:04.567 --> 00:17:08.200
in these small communities
can be.
00:17:08.234 --> 00:17:11.167
But having spoken
to lots of people-
00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:14.133
Hungarians and Gypsies-
00:17:14.167 --> 00:17:16.534
I had to realize
that around here,
00:17:16.567 --> 00:17:19.667
the prejudice is based
on daily experience
00:17:19.701 --> 00:17:23.200
that is very real.
00:17:23.234 --> 00:17:24.801
And if that\'s the case,
00:17:24.834 --> 00:17:28.033
it\'s hard to expect people
to start being more positive,
00:17:28.067 --> 00:17:31.834
to change their attitude
towards this ethnic group.
00:17:31.868 --> 00:17:35.667
I don\'t really know
what can be done about this.
00:17:35.701 --> 00:17:37.801
I will have to ask someone
00:17:37.834 --> 00:17:41.300
who\'s been dealing with
this subject for much longer.
00:17:46.834 --> 00:17:48.234
Bradshaw:
András Biró
00:17:48.267 --> 00:17:51.000
is a well-known
human rights campaigner.
00:17:51.033 --> 00:17:53.634
Last year, he warned
the bad feeling against Gypsies
00:17:53.667 --> 00:17:56.701
could lead to murders.
00:17:56.734 --> 00:17:57.734
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:17:57.767 --> 00:17:59.434
male translator:
These people have been
00:17:59.467 --> 00:18:02.200
on the margins of society
for a very long time,
00:18:02.234 --> 00:18:03.667
and that often brings about
00:18:03.701 --> 00:18:06.601
an element of criminality,
unfortunately.
00:18:06.634 --> 00:18:08.934
And there is
an automatic reaction to that,
00:18:08.968 --> 00:18:10.801
not only by the population
00:18:10.834 --> 00:18:13.434
but also by members
of the police.
00:18:13.467 --> 00:18:17.767
Polls show that 85%
of Hungarian society
00:18:17.801 --> 00:18:20.067
feels negatively
about the Roma.
00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:22.167
This is a frightening figure.
00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:24.734
But the incredible increase
in recent times
00:18:24.767 --> 00:18:28.000
is based on a lot of people
having personal experience
00:18:28.033 --> 00:18:30.367
of getting their crops,
cell phones,
00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:33.100
or Adidas shoes
stolen by Gypsies.
00:18:33.133 --> 00:18:37.334
And they say, \"Hold on a second;
this isn\'t right.
00:18:37.367 --> 00:18:41.100
This shouldn\'t be allowed
to happen.\"
00:18:41.133 --> 00:18:43.601
And eventually, this builds up
to a feeling that,
00:18:43.634 --> 00:18:47.133
\"Something has to be done
about this.
00:18:47.167 --> 00:18:51.801
Something has to be done
about \'these people.\'\"
00:18:51.834 --> 00:18:53.133
- I read the interview
00:18:53.167 --> 00:18:55.701
in which you predicted
months before the first attack
00:18:55.734 --> 00:18:57.634
that there would be killings.
00:18:57.667 --> 00:18:59.434
How did you know?
00:19:01.067 --> 00:19:03.534
- I\'m not at all proud
of my prediction.
00:19:03.567 --> 00:19:05.934
I wish I\'d been wrong.
00:19:05.968 --> 00:19:10.234
Some pathological individuals
see this as a solution,
00:19:10.267 --> 00:19:13.234
just like the Ku Klux Klan
used to.
00:19:13.267 --> 00:19:14.801
- Pathological?
00:19:14.834 --> 00:19:17.868
- Yes, yes,
I\'m convinced of that.
00:19:17.901 --> 00:19:19.434
Someone who kills people
00:19:19.467 --> 00:19:21.367
because of the color
of their skin
00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:23.300
cannot be sane.
00:19:23.334 --> 00:19:25.200
But it was fairly clear to me
00:19:25.234 --> 00:19:27.734
that it could come
to something like this.
00:19:27.767 --> 00:19:31.334
And I\'m afraid to say it,
but I think it could get worse.
00:19:31.367 --> 00:19:32.400
- Worse how?
00:19:32.434 --> 00:19:33.934
- Pogroms.
- What?
00:19:33.968 --> 00:19:35.901
- Pogroms.
00:19:35.934 --> 00:19:39.367
More than one person
will be killed at a time,
00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:42.501
and eventually,
the Roma will lose their cool.
00:19:42.534 --> 00:19:43.834
They will strike back,
00:19:43.868 --> 00:19:49.701
and then this give-and-take
will never end.
00:19:49.734 --> 00:19:51.567
- Is there a way out
anywhere?
00:19:51.601 --> 00:19:56.434
- Bridges have to be built
quickly and locally.
00:19:56.467 --> 00:20:00.234
We shouldn\'t look for politics
with a capital P in this.
00:20:00.267 --> 00:20:03.334
They should be
small-scale local projects
00:20:03.367 --> 00:20:05.567
to provide people
with something to do,
00:20:05.601 --> 00:20:09.467
some source of income,
employment.
00:20:13.734 --> 00:20:15.901
Bradshaw: One such small
local project is a co-op
00:20:15.934 --> 00:20:20.534
set up by a private charity
in the village of Igrici.
00:20:20.567 --> 00:20:21.934
The Roma here were asked
00:20:21.968 --> 00:20:24.234
what they thought
would help them make a living.
00:20:24.267 --> 00:20:26.734
They decided they wanted
to live off the land
00:20:26.767 --> 00:20:30.067
and grow cucumbers.
00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:32.801
- What did people around here
live on before?
00:20:32.834 --> 00:20:34.000
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:20:34.033 --> 00:20:36.000
female translator:
Benefits, dear, benefits,
00:20:36.033 --> 00:20:37.467
and loans.
00:20:37.501 --> 00:20:40.667
They went to local money lenders
at huge interest rates.
00:20:40.701 --> 00:20:42.267
That\'s how people got by.
00:20:42.300 --> 00:20:43.934
There was absolutely
no opportunities
00:20:43.968 --> 00:20:47.033
for work around here.
00:20:47.067 --> 00:20:48.133
- Some of the people here
00:20:48.167 --> 00:20:49.701
have been out of employment
for years.
00:20:49.734 --> 00:20:52.367
You can\'t expect them to be able
to handle this workload
00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:54.968
all of a sudden.
00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.501
- There aren\'t enough workers.
00:20:56.534 --> 00:20:57.934
That\'s the problem.
00:20:57.968 --> 00:21:00.634
- Why? Aren\'t there enough
unemployed around here?
00:21:00.667 --> 00:21:03.434
- There might be, but many
don\'t come here to work.
00:21:03.467 --> 00:21:04.801
- Why not?
00:21:04.834 --> 00:21:08.133
- Because we have to work
14 to 16 hours a day.
00:21:08.167 --> 00:21:11.601
- And still Hungarian people say
that the Gypsies can\'t work.
00:21:11.634 --> 00:21:13.067
- Of course we can work.
00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:15.367
It\'s the Hungarians who come
and say, \"No, thank you.\"
00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:20.033
- Not the Roma women,
the Hungarians.
00:21:20.067 --> 00:21:21.601
- The people here
are living proof
00:21:21.634 --> 00:21:22.868
that these stereotypes
00:21:22.901 --> 00:21:24.934
about the Roma
not wanting to work
00:21:24.968 --> 00:21:29.334
and wanting to live on the dole
are false.
00:21:29.367 --> 00:21:32.567
Here they are,
and here is this project.
00:21:32.601 --> 00:21:35.334
And beyond giving the Roma
employment,
00:21:35.367 --> 00:21:37.467
it gives them self-respect,
00:21:37.501 --> 00:21:41.000
and it gives their children
a future.
00:21:41.033 --> 00:21:45.467
I think this is
a really good thing.
00:21:45.501 --> 00:21:47.801
Great.
00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:53.534
Why isn\'t this happening
all over the country?
00:22:00.033 --> 00:22:03.801
Hello, where can I put
all the cucumber?
00:22:05.167 --> 00:22:06.634
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:22:06.667 --> 00:22:08.534
Bradshaw:
Then breaking news.
00:22:08.567 --> 00:22:11.734
After a concerted effort
by 100 police investigators,
00:22:11.767 --> 00:22:13.367
four people have been charged
00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:16.934
with a whole series
of racist attacks.
00:22:16.968 --> 00:22:18.767
The men work as bouncers
00:22:18.801 --> 00:22:21.033
in two bars
in the town of Debrecen.
00:22:21.067 --> 00:22:22.334
One is a former soldier
00:22:22.367 --> 00:22:25.367
who used to serve
with NATO troops in Kosovo.
00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:27.868
They\'re known
to have racist views.
00:22:27.901 --> 00:22:29.734
One of them had even written
on the internet
00:22:29.767 --> 00:22:31.968
about wanting to kill Gypsies-
00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:34.100
men, women, and children.
00:22:37.634 --> 00:22:41.100
In a Budapest café,
Arpád catches up with Virág,
00:22:41.133 --> 00:22:44.267
the niece
of the most recent victim.
00:22:44.300 --> 00:22:48.367
It\'s been three weeks since
they met at her aunt\'s funeral.
00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:51.067
Virág has come to the capital
looking for work.
00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:52.467
- [speaking Hungarian]
00:22:52.501 --> 00:22:55.033
Bradshaw: She tells Arpád
the Roma back in her village
00:22:55.067 --> 00:22:59.467
are far from reassured
by the arrests.
00:23:03.434 --> 00:23:05.133
- For a moment,
I did feel relieved,
00:23:05.167 --> 00:23:08.267
but deep down, nothing
really changed inside me.
00:23:08.300 --> 00:23:10.834
I think everyone else
in the village feels the same.
00:23:10.868 --> 00:23:13.300
The situation is
the same as before.
00:23:13.334 --> 00:23:15.634
The Roma men still patrol
the streets at night.
00:23:15.667 --> 00:23:17.234
People are still afraid.
00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:23.033
- I expected something
much more complex as well:
00:23:23.067 --> 00:23:25.367
a political conspiracy,
00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:29.167
maybe economic interests.
00:23:30.467 --> 00:23:32.701
This seems too simple.
00:23:32.734 --> 00:23:34.534
- That\'s it.
00:23:34.567 --> 00:23:37.801
- But sometimes
things are incredibly simple.
00:23:37.834 --> 00:23:41.000
- Well, what would you do
to reassure the Roma?
00:23:41.033 --> 00:23:44.634
- What would reassure me-
00:23:44.667 --> 00:23:47.100
and, I think, the Roma too-
00:23:47.133 --> 00:23:50.701
is if they started getting
real opportunities
00:23:50.734 --> 00:23:53.667
in the society where they live,
00:23:53.701 --> 00:23:55.234
if they weren\'t living
00:23:55.267 --> 00:23:58.133
at the edge of towns
and villages anymore
00:23:58.167 --> 00:24:01.934
or even further out
than that,
00:24:01.968 --> 00:24:03.767
if I didn\'t see
young generations
00:24:03.801 --> 00:24:07.734
getting lost
in an indifferent void.
00:24:07.767 --> 00:24:12.734
As long as these basic
social problems are not fixed,
00:24:12.767 --> 00:24:16.667
we can\'t rest assured.
00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:22.234
- Do you think that maybe
it\'s also your responsibility
00:24:22.267 --> 00:24:25.534
to help the Roma cause?
00:24:25.567 --> 00:24:31.734
- Well, put it like that:
no, I don\'t think so.
00:24:31.767 --> 00:24:36.567
These issues, these problems,
appear in my work anyway.
00:24:36.601 --> 00:24:38.567
I don\'t see myself
00:24:38.601 --> 00:24:41.734
as a civil rights activist
or anything.
00:24:41.767 --> 00:24:42.968
I don\'t think it\'s something
00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:45.701
I have to bang on about
all the time.
00:24:45.734 --> 00:24:49.300
But there is no doubt that when
you look at what I stand for,
00:24:49.334 --> 00:24:52.501
when you look at what
is represented in my work,
00:24:52.534 --> 00:24:57.801
the identification with the Roma
is very clearly there.
00:24:59.634 --> 00:25:01.834
Bradshaw: Losing his family
made it easier
00:25:01.868 --> 00:25:04.634
for Arpád to make
his own choices.
00:25:04.667 --> 00:25:06.467
But hundreds of thousands
of Roma
00:25:06.501 --> 00:25:10.434
still remain trapped on
the edge of Hungarian society.
00:25:10.467 --> 00:25:12.634
They are
on the political agenda now,
00:25:12.667 --> 00:25:16.467
but politics
still hasn\'t found a way out.
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 26 minutes
Date: 2011
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: 10-12, College, Adult
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
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