Denisa, 10, is deaf, has never learnt to speak and she’s a member of the most discriminated minority group in Europe. Still, she dances beautifully and smiles as wide as she can. Denisa is taken by Bollywood, and in order to escape the harsh reality around her, she gets lost in films.

As Polska Roma, Denisa has never received the treatment she would have needed. Even batteries for her hearing aid are a pipe dream. Without education, work, money or proper identification her family can barely make ends meet. Even the children are forced to beg on the streets to scrape a living. Racism is loud and clear wherever Romas go, and neighbourhoods get rid of them and their illegal habitation. Denisa and the other kids play police officers deporting Romas to Romania.

Both in Denisa’s world and in the documentary, shocking events take the beat of lively music and dance. Street dancing scenes and the musical numbers shot in Bollywood style both eminently star the wonderful protagonist. Her fate will stay with you.

Text: Aino Salonen / Translation: Tapio Reinekoski

Languages: Romany, Polish
Subtitles: English