French filmmaker Tony Gatlif, champion of Gypsy culture, dies at 77

Tony Gatlif, French filmmaker known for films about Gypsy culture, died at 77 in Arles, France.

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Tony Gatlif's family announced on 2026-09-04 that the French filmmaker died on 2026-09-02 at age 77 in Arles, southeastern France, while working on a historical film project. ^[1] In a statement, Tony Gatlif's wife, children, and grandchildren said: 'The beauty of his films, his generosity, his joy, his poetry and his love for music will remain forever in us,' and wished him 'Latcho Drom,' meaning 'Good journey' in the Gypsy language. ^[2] Tony Gatlif directed 25 films since 1975, including 'El extranjero loco' (1997) and 'Exils' (2004), which won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival; his last feature film, 'Ange', premiered in 2025. ^[3] Gatlif directed over twenty films and achieved international recognition with 'El extranjero loco' (Gadjo dilo), which was released in 1997. ^[4] Gatlif was one of the main representatives of Romani culture in cinema, directing a filmography closely related to history, music, and the living conditions of Romani communities. ^[5] Gatlif's family confirmed on September 4, 2026, that the director, screenwriter, and composer died on Wednesday due to a health problem. ^[6] Tony Gatlif's most famous film, 'El extranjero loco' ('Gadjo Dilo'), is a tribute to Gypsy music, which he described as 'a music that screams the fear and pain of a people whose soul hurts.' ^[7]

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Tony Gatlif's family announced on 2026-09-04 that the French filmmaker died on 2026-09-02 at age 77 in Arles, southeastern France, while working on a historical film project. · 24 Horas

In a statement, Tony Gatlif's wife, children, and grandchildren said: 'The beauty of his films, his generosity, his joy, his poetry and his love for music will remain forever in us,' and wished him 'Latcho Drom,' meaning 'Good journey' in the Gypsy language. · 24 Horas

Tony Gatlif directed 25 films since 1975, including 'El extranjero loco' (1997) and 'Exils' (2004), which won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival; his last feature film, 'Ange', premiered in 2025. · 24 Horas

Gatlif directed over twenty films and achieved international recognition with 'El extranjero loco' (Gadjo dilo), which was released in 1997. · El Universo

Gatlif was one of the main representatives of Romani culture in cinema, directing a filmography closely related to history, music, and the living conditions of Romani communities. · El Universo

Gatlif's family confirmed on September 4, 2026, that the director, screenwriter, and composer died on Wednesday due to a health problem. · El Universo

Tony Gatlif's most famous film, 'El extranjero loco' ('Gadjo Dilo'), is a tribute to Gypsy music, which he described as 'a music that screams the fear and pain of a people whose soul hurts.' · 24 Horas

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