Synopsis

“Kalderash” is the term for a group of Roma who specialised in the craft of copper forging a long time ago. The name derives from the Romanian word căldărar (“boiler smith”, from căldare “kettle”). This almost anthropological documentary shows how rural Romania is changing rapidly, just like the rest of the world. Geo, a young Roma and coppersmith from Corcova, a small town in the country’s south-west, is no longer able to support his wife Marina and his six year-old son. The farmers from the surrounding villages don’t care to buy his handmade copper-ware anymore, preferring the industrial products from the big stores. In order to earn a living, Geo’s and Marina’s only choice is to go to France to collect scrap metal or to Belgium to pick apples. The Last Kalderash, by photographer Cosmin Bumbuț and his partner, the journalist Elena Stancu, was developed without a production company and with a budget of only 1,200 Euros. The directing couple lived in a caravan and spent six months exploring the Roma community of Corcova. With the help of online tutorials, Cosmin Bumbuț taught himself how to finally cut and edit his documentary.