Tony Gatlif, the French film director often described as “cinema’s Gypsy auteur” for his focus on Roma communities and their music, has died at the age of 77. He directed over 20 films between 1975 and 2025.
Gatlif's breakthrough came with the 1993 international arthouse hit, Latcho Drom, a travelogue blending musical performances from contemporary Roma communities with historical recreations. This film depicted the centuries-long migration of Roma people from Asia to western Europe through images and music.
Following Latcho Drom's success, Gatlif continued to write and direct feature films, including Mondo (1995), Gadjo Dilo (1997), and Vengo (2000). His 2004 film Exils earned him the best director award at the Cannes film festival. His most recent film, Ange, was released in 2025.
Born Boualem Dahmani in Algiers, Gatlif adopted the name Tony Gatlif to avoid police in the Camargue region. He began his career after meeting actor Michel Simon in 1966, which led to him enrolling in a dramatic arts course.