Set in a Calambrian Romani community in Italy, The Ciambra is a stark and moving contemporary coming-of-age tale which follows a fourteen year old boy as he negotiates life on the edge of society.

Moving easily between the social groups of the area - the local Italians, African immigrants and his own Romani community, Pio is desperate to be seen as grown up grown up and in control. When his beloved older brother is sent to prison, Pio assumes his position as head of the family but as his efforts to gain ground increasingly lead down a dangerous path, he has to choose between his loyalty to them and to his friends.

Evoking the spirit of the Dardennes brothers’ realist cinema, an entire Romani family make up the supporting cast of unprofessional actors from the local community in a film that brims with authenticity. Infact, Martin Scorsese was so impressed by its authenticity he joined as executive producer - an impressive badge of honour for a director (Jonas Carpignano) only on his second feature.

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