Representing Romani and Travellers: Sexualized “Gypsy” Women and (Self-) Orientalism in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and Gadjo Dilo

Abstract

Romani (Roma) and Traveller people make up significant minorities in many European nations, but they still endure discrimination and the continued effects of orientalism. This paper analyzes representations of “Gypsy” women in two audiovisual media: the reality television show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and the film Gadjo Dilo. My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is produced by Channel 4 in Britain and by TLC in America, while Gadjo Dilo was directed by a man of Romani descent. Through this analysis, it becomes apparent that both the television show and the film sexualize and portray Roma and Traveller women from orientalist points of view. A comparison of these media makes it clear that while representations of an Other can be orientalist, self-representations are not necessarily free from orientalism and can in fact be self-orientalizing. The analysis of these media portrayals of Roma and Travellers illuminates the orientalist features of each and proves that orientalism can exist regardless of who is portraying whom.