Gucha: Distant Trumpet (2006) User Reviews

a musical variation on Romeo and Juliet

[dromasca · 6/10 · 16 January 2009]

The Romeo and Juliet story of forbidden love gets a fresh variant in this musical film set in the Balkans of our times. Julijana is the daughter of a Serbian trumpet player, the best of his kind, while Romeo is a gypsy and an aspiring musician by himself. Their love is preempted by the racial barriers, which only an apparently impossible win the traditional trumpet festival at Gucha could possibly make true. The story is quite expected, and the charm of the movie resides in the direct and sincere approach, including the acting of the two main protagonists and a lot of amateur actors around giving an air of authenticity, the luminous and somehow idyllic cinematography and especially the music which dominated and embraces the whole film. Without being too original the film is worth a look and especially an audition.

Nice, simple, love story

[inova · 8/10 · 7 January 2007]

This is the first movie that seriously involves Gucha into plot. Guca, a small town in western Serbia, is well known for its folk trumpet festival. Storyline guide us through forbidden love of Gypsy boy, trumpet player, and Serbian girl, daughter of famous trumpet player. The bet is made: if the boy "overplay" girl's father oh Gucha festival, he take the girl to be his wife. From that point on, we are faced with a way of a boy to win Gucha festival. This is nice, simple love story, placed behind the scenes of big festival. It will joy up the viewer, without big intentions. Watching it, the one can feel cultural difference between Serbian and Gypsy folks and to see one of the biggest folk festivals in Serbia.

Gucha! had me dancing in my seat.

[astosic · 10/10 · 22 August 2007]

What a light-hearted and sweet (albeit somewhat predictable) film. I am glad to see another film in which the Romany language is heard, and a first film where the Gucha Trumpet Festival is highlighted. The cinematography and editing of this movie are outstanding - the hills and orchards of the region are a sumptuous backdrop to a very sweet, and encouraging, story. And the music - unforgettable! I have the soundtrack already, thanks to friends in Belgrade. Y'know, it's best not to overthink things sometimes.... Sometimes ya gotta just sit back and enjoy a feast for the eyes, ears, and heart. It's a contender for TIFF 2007... hope it makes the programme!