Hungarian film inspired by serial killings of Roma in competition at Berlin Film Festival The USA Times

Watch it, Lady Gaga: Singer's comment about buying fake Rolex sparks backlash in Thailand . Freely choosing their leader, Egyptians vote on 2nd day of presidential election . Beset by years of woes as they pick a new leader, Egyptians search for a superman . Nuclear talks resume amid contrasting bids by West and Iran . Dynamic Turkey clings to a beloved stick figure icon - symbol of less hurried times . South Korea to chemically castrate serial sex offender in country's 1st use of punishment . New Zealand raises tobacco taxes sharply, aiming to become smoke-free country . US National Hurricane Center says Bud has developed into a hurricane off coast of SW Mexico. . SKorea to chemically castrate serial child sex offender for 1st time . Syrian oil minister says sanctions have sucked $4 billion out of economy .

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Hungarian film inspired by serial killings of Roma in competition at Berlin Film Festival

(AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)

BUDAPEST, Hungary - A fictional film based on the recent serial killings of Hungarian Roma will be in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival starting Feb. 9.

The producers of "Csak a szel" ("Just The Wind"), by director Bence Fliegauf, said Wednesday that the leading roles are played by amateur Roma actors, with professionals in the supporting cast.

Four men are on trial in Budapest accused of carrying out attacks in nine villages between July 2008 and August 2009 in which six Roma - or Gypsies - were shot to death, including a 5-year-old boy. Five sustained life-threatening injuries.

Fliegauf's film, a Hungarian, German and French co-production, depicts the life of a Roma family on the Great Hungarian Plain, ending with their murders.