With mass media’s misrepresentation of the Roma people, it was high time there was a show dedicated to accurate portrayal. Infamy is that show. As British-raised Gita moves back with her extended Romani family in Poland, we get introduced to Romani culture– their rules, customs, and art. This Polish Netflix series might even be the first time you’ll hear about Romanipen, the rules and familial principles that allowed them to survive. However, with Gita’s Western background, the show also depicts her immigrant experience, culture clash, and the discrimination of her people by the dominant Polish people. Mixed with hip-hop tracks from the UK, Poland, and the series’ original creations, Infamy takes a nuanced approach to Gita’s struggle and artistry.
Caught between her Roma roots and pressure from her friends, a 17-year-old girl aspires to become a hip-hop musician despite her parents' strict rules.
Gita Burano (Zofia Jastrzebska) and her parents lived in a trailer park in Wales, but their extended Romani family has finally invited them back to their main house in Poland. Gita chafes against their conservative rules, especially when it comes to her passion for rap.
Casting the lead for a show like Infamy can be difficult. Of course, the whole cast had to be Roma, proficient with Polish and the Romani language, but the lead also had to be proficient in English– at least proficient enough to be able to spit out rhythms with some believability. On top of the language requirements, whoever was casted as Gita had to hold enough charisma that would keep the show compelling. Newcomer Zofia Jastrzebska was an excellent choice. She’s previously worked in other Polish TV shows before, but in her first stint in a leading role, Jastrzebska holds Infamy up with her strong performance.
Definitely something new.
Excellence at every level…story line, actors performance, directors approach…a brilliant series.
Bea