Cambridge

The Bulgarian village of Dolni Tsibar is known as the "Roma Cambridge." This is because its predominantly Roma population enjoys a relatively high level of education. Cambridge is a year in the life of the local elementary school, where dedicated teachers try to give the children the best possible education with limited resources. In a calm, observational style and without any voice-over, filmmaker Eldora Traykova introduces us to the village and its residents. The teachers, the children, parents and villagers talk about their everyday lives, their backgrounds and their dreams. Along the way, it becomes clear that the school itself is not so very different from any other – it’s the circumstances that are exceptional. The Roma are still treated as second-class citizens and face discrimination on a daily basis. Many of the children have parents who are working in other countries, and poverty is commonplace. Meanwhile, the kids have to perform extra well if they want to have any chance of a better future. One father is angry with his twins because both of them got all A’s and one B – the lower mark could put their dream of going to college in jeopardy. As punishment, they have to take care of a goat during summer vacation.