CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Dzurillova, Alexandra |
|---|---|
| Title | Friends or Villains? Representation of Roma in Recent Slovak Feature Film |
| Summary | Members of the Romani ethnic group in Slovakia continue to face significant prejudice from the majority population, which adversely affects their lives. Historically, Slovak media, including film, have often reproduced paternalistic, stereotypical, or even demeaning ideas about Roma. Another problem Roma have faced is a lack of presence in the media. Invisibility and the uses of the negative image can worsen the majority-minority relationships and undermine both individual and in-group self-esteem. This thesis examines whether and, if so, how Roma and Roma characters specifically are represented in the 15 most popular Slovak feature films screened in cinemas between 2020 and 2025. Using content analysis and a coding process informed by Grounded Theory, the study identifies and analyzes filmic portrayals of Roma. Of the fifteen films, only six feature a Romani protagonist, and just two of those center their narrative on that character. The films replicate and challenge the prevailing stereotypes, yet neither depicts Roma characters as inferior to the majority. Despite persistent ethnic divisions, the films also portray cooperation and friendships between Roma and non-Roma characters. However, Roma are entirely absent from the remaining nine films, highlighting ongoing issues of representational invisibility. |
| Supervisor | Rövid, Márton |
| Department | Undergraduate Studies BA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/dzurillova_alexandra.pdf |
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