![“Infamia”, or how to get out of the trap of gypsy traditions [RECENZJA]](https://ocdn.eu/pulscms-transforms/1/TQkk9kpTURBXy9lZjk2ZjA5Y2JlYzc4ZjY0NGFlZWQyOGU2YzA1MDUzNi5qcGeTlQMAzQHzzRhgzQ23kwmmNDg2YjA0BpMFzQSwzQJ23gABoTAB/zofia-jastrzebska-w-serialu-infamia.jpg)
“You insulted us! You insulted us! Damn Enfamia” – with these words the first episode of the series begins. We see a girl shave her entire head, then a smiling cyclist speeds along the green hills of Wales. The ominous words in the title will reverberate throughout the story. Disgrace means loss of honor and good reputation. What happened to the heroine and what is the whole plot? We will find out by watching the eight-episode series.
“Infamia” tells the story of a gypsy teenager. After years spent with her parents in Wales, Gita returns to Poland. Her world is turned upside down. The girl must answer the question of whether she is a loyal gypsy, because as a result of her parents’ arrangements, she has been sold as a wife to a wealthy Czech gypsy. The deal aims to save the parents from financial problems and to ensure a return to society.
Gita goes against traditional rules, she doesn’t understand when a mother talks about her daughter being a witness against her father or Roma women only wearing skirts. She can’t imagine finishing her education, let alone having an arranged wedding.
The series presents a clash of symbols Romanipen with the needs of today’s teenager. The situation changes dramatically when a real feeling emerges and a growing conflict arises between the Poles and the Gypsies.
“Infamia”: framework from the series
“Infamia” on Netflix: On the fringes of the Roma community
This is how directors Anna Maliszewska (idea, co-author of the script with Dana Łukasińska and Julita Olszewska) and Kuba Czekaj make their series. It contains the daily life of a girl working on the margins of the Roma community. What distinguishes “Infamia” from other series is this Polish-Rome context, which is not often present in Polish films, and a few that are worth mentioning are “Devils, Devils” by Dorota Kedzierzawska, “Papusza” by Joanna and Krzysztof Krause or the series “Infamia” “Chyłka”. – Rewizja” by Łukasz Palkowski.
Furthermore, “Infamia” is set in the environment of the Roma living in Poland today, one of the most hated and stigmatized ethnic groups in Europe. The directors emerge victorious in their shows, trying to analyze the gypsy mentality.
“Infamia”: framework from the series
Predatory “Infamia” style
This can be seen mainly in the case of a rich family, which runs a shady business, and at the same time deals with popular music. But beyond that, we are introduced to the world of the Roma poor. Joanna Talewicz, who was the artistic supervisor for Roma culture, was involved in working on the series. Her role was to translate essential elements of Roma culture into films and ensure that the representation of Roma and their culture did not repeat harmful stereotypes. In fact, the suggestive, sometimes predatory style of “Infamia” protects against the clichés of the story about the Roma, which the rather conventional plot of the war between Poles and followers of Romani principles can suggest.
The series features a unique atmosphere created by captivating music drawn from Romani and rap traditions (creators: Lukas Targush and Wojtek Urbanski). If we take a closer look at the main character, we will see the psychological motivations for her actions, which pulsate in the songs she sings: freedom and repressed passion, that is, the emotions that accompany growth.
“Infamia”: framework from the series
“Infamia” on Netflix: A tale of teenage dilemmas
Because “Infamia” should be read primarily as a parable about the dilemmas of a teenager searching for her own identity. Through Geeta’s story, the universal ideal of loss of innocence, the price of dreams and revenge is revealed.
The quality of the series depends primarily on the original script, the polished direction based on the ability to show mysterious scenes and the actress Zofia Jastrzębska who plays the main role of the defiant Jetta. I assure you, you will hear about this girl again. She is accompanied by the credible and captivating Magdalena Czervinska and Sebastian Lach.
In addition to the serious themes, “Infamia” also has a purely comedic character, a campy sensibility, youthful aesthetics, and a relaxed tone that sets the tone for the entire story. I hope the series continues.
“Infamia” to watch starting September 6 on Netflix.
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