ROMATHAN is a documentary film (35mm, 90'min.) about a Romatheatre project in Kosice/Slovakia, which is managed and performed exclusively by Rom  and which is the only theatre of its kind in Europe.

Founded by Romani civil right activists shortly after the end of Communist rule in 1992, the existence of the theatre has been in jeopardy ever since.In an atmosphere of rising nationalism and anti-gypsyism, Adam Carol, musician and theatre director, describes the theatre's survival as doing things 'the East-European way'.

Despite permanent financial and political pressure on the 60 member ensemble, ROMATHAN still defends its artistic independence.

Covering a 4-month period and drawing on interviews and participatn observation, the film describes the daily life of a theatre in a postcommunist country at the edge of Europe:

-   the work of the dancer, musicians and actors

-   rehearsals and premiere of a new play by the Indian Nobelprize-winning author R.Tagore - - - the Shipwrecked- chosen to emphasize the Indian roots of Roma culture

-  a group of young actors rehearsing an original play -Adam&Eve- which expresses their feelings towards hostilities on the part  of the 'Gadjo' population around them

-  the daily efforts to keep the theatre alive, like performances of Gypsy fairy tales for children or touring Slovakia.

Without any commentary the film just follows the different events, listens to people and their personal experience about discrimination, about the theatre, and how their work might help improve the miserable situation of their people in Slovakia.

"We don't just want to entertain, but would like to educate our people" says one of the elder actors and co-founder of  ROMATHAN. With these words he describes the everlasting attempt of the arts - independent of ethnic roots: to influence daily life and to give power to shape one's

own destiny.