Shanghai Gypsy

SHANGHAI GYPSY is the saga of the Mirgas, a fun-loving and charismatic Slovenian Romani clan whose upward mobility over the course of four generations leads them far from their traditional way of life. Smolderingly handsome “Belmondo” Mirga (Visar Vishka), a savvy businessman representing the third generation, narrates the story of how he climbed to the top of the world. Belmondo is a gypsy king with his own village; he's the pillar of his community, a devoted family man, and a criminal kingpin who holds local police and politicians in the pocket of his double-breasted suit. However, Yugoslavia is starting to crumble, and Belmondo's charmed life takes an ugly turn. His customers no longer need cigarettes, women, or construction materials smuggled from Italy; the hot property now is arms. Will Belmondo Mirga protect his beloved family, or will he sacrifice their happiness for his ambition? Based on the novel The Untouchables by Feri Lainšček, this bittersweet story won the best screenplay award at the Montréal World Film Festival. (In Gypsy, Slovenian, and Italian with subtitles) – B.B.