This is a very insightful film that tells the story of Gypsy children from Romania, some as young as 7 beg, who steal and rob people at cash points on daily basis in Western European cities making fortunes for their traffickers and exploiters.
These children practically operate with immunity, as most of the Western European countries don't punish crimes committed by children under the age of 14. Criminals take advantage of the law and use children on a large scale to make fortunes.
Most of the Western legal institutions and social services subscribe to the philosophy that a child's place is with his/her family, so even when caught by the police, these children are promptly returned to their families.
But it's their very families that sometime exploit them too. There's a scene in the film with a very young girl who has to beg for a large woman who is clearly her mother, and who beats her up when she doesn't make enough money.
It's a very sad fact that some Gypsy adults train up their children to commit crimes and send them out on the streets to make money. It's clear from the film that this is the result of the poverty that plagued their lives for centuries and also of the racism that they've been (and still are!) subjected to. But according to Breliante, a Gypsy Mafioso and one of the contributors in the film, this is also fuelled by greed. There are many imposing villas built in Romania from the proceeds of crime abroad.
How can these children be helped? The film doesn't have an answer, but makes it clear that urgent help is needed.
This film is a gripping investigation, with plenty of twists and extraordinary access. It's beautifully shot, and has a startling, compelling pace, which I've rarely seen in documentaries.
"Gypsy Child Thieves" is the "real-life" version of one of my favourite feature films ever, directed by twice Palme D'Or winner Emir Kusturica, "Time Of The Gypsies".
Both films deserve 10 out of 10 and I highly recommend them. Also, check out the music in both these films – you're in for a wonderful discovery.
