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Zsani

Film
Title of the film Original title: Zsani
English title: Zsani
Hungarian title: Zsani

Production and shooting info Country of the production: Hungary - hu
Year of production: 2004
Year of shooting: 2004
Length of the film: 22 min
Colouring: colour
Recording format: SVHS
Original language: Hungarian
Language of subtitle: English

Description of the content “This documentary gives authentic insights into the stereotype-ridden social reality of Hungary today, confining its Roma population to a marginal existence as a segregated underclass. The phenomenon of discrimination is approached and presented here in a manner that renders the invisible visible, and undeniably so. Current social practices of minority discrimination simply have to be acknowledged, there is evidence enough.” This documentary about the drama of a young girl also formed a part of my thesis on child care/childrens’ rights protection, being the digital presentation of one of my case studies. Why? As a social worker, I know the problems families in my district have to face every day. When I encountered Zsani’s case – first as a social worker – I was very upset by the injustice of how certain people are discriminated against, penalized or criminalized just for being poor, children or Roma. Due to all-present social stereotypes, we can be declared as mentally disabled – at any time. Even today, this can happen to any young Roma in Hungary – this is the drama of all of us. We have to take responsibility in making this practice visible, using concrete, real-life examples, and to stand up against it.

Credits Director: Mária Baranyi
Producer: Márta Elbert
Cinematographer: Pál Révész
 Róbert Bordás
Editor: Márta Révész
Közreműködő: Mariann Horváth
 Katalin Fógel

Company / Institution Production: Fekete Doboz Alapítvány
Distributor: Fekete Doboz Alapítvány

Ethnicity and locality Etnic group: Gypsy
Continent: Central Europe
Country: Hungary - hu
Location
 (City, village, region, mountains, etc.): Budapest

Tipology Type: non-fiction film
Form: documentary film

Related sciences Social science: sociology


Keyword: underclass
 minority
 children
 disadvantage
 discrimination