The Pied Piper of Hützovina

Pavla Fleischer's The Pied Piper of Hützovina begins in Czechoslovakia in 2004 when the filmmaker meets Ukrainian musician/actor Eugene Hütz (the lead vocalist of Gogol Bordello, who also appeared in the film Everything Is Illuminated). A year later, the pair reunite to explore Roma culture on a journey that takes them to Budapest, Carpathia, Moscow, and Kiev. In this first-person documentary, Fleischer freely admits to a romantic interest (although he doesn't share her affections) in her flirtatious subject, who meets with gypsy musicians along the road, including his hero, Sasha Kolpakov, an artist who doesn't object to Gogol Bordello's super-charged (even hip-hop-ish) approach to traditional music (self-described "purist" Igor Krikunov of the Kiev Gypsy Theater, on the other hand, finds Gogol Bordello's music offensive). In addition, Hütz also visits gypsy camps and relatives in the Ukraine in scenes that offer a little more personal insight into the musician, ending with a glimpse of Gogol Bordello live in New York. DVD extras include a “making-of” featurette and 10 bonus musical performances. Although somewhat uneven, the film may generate interest with the release of Madonna's directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom, in which Hütz stars. In any case, consider The Pied Piper of Hützovina a reasonably entertaining addendum to Jasmine Dellal's essential Roma music celebration Gypsy Caravan. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)