Latcho Drom director Tony Gatlif dies aged 77
Acclaimed French filmmaker Tony Gatlif, known for his films celebrating Roma culture, has passed away at age 77. He was working on a historical project in Provence at the time of his death.
Why it matters
Gatlif was a significant cultural figure whose work brought visibility to Roma heritage and music through award-winning cinema.
Tony Gatlif in 2025. Photograph: Stéphane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images Tony Gatlif in 2025. Photograph: Stéphane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images Movies Latcho Drom director Tony Gatlif dies aged 77 Film-maker acclaimed for his celebrations of Roma culture had been working on a ‘historical film project’ in Provence
Prefer the Guardian on Google Tony Gatlif, the French director of more than 20 films that mostly concentrated on celebrating Roma culture across the world, has died aged 77.
His family said in a statement to AFP that Gatlif died on Wednesday of “a health issue” while working on a “historical film project” in Arles in Provence, France . “The beauty of his films, his generosity, his joy, his poetry, and his love of music will remain with us forever.”
The statement, from his wife, children and grandchildren wished him “ Latcho Drom ”, a Roma phrase meaning “safe journey”.
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