Excellent Hungarian films
This is a subjective list, and I have obviously not seen all Hungarian movies
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- DirectorPéter BacsóStarsFerenc KállaiLajos ÖzeZoltán FábriBanned for over a decade for its outspoken criticism of the post-WWII communist regime in Hungary, Péter Bacsó's 'The Witness' has since then achieved unparalleled cult status in its native land. Known as the best satire about communism, 'The Witness' has become a cult classic, which was also well received by critics and general audiences alike when it was finally released outside of Hungary. Its candid and realistic portrayal of the incompetent communist regime has earned great acclaim for both the director and the film itself when it was shown at Cannes Film Festival in 1981. 'The Witness' takes place during the height of the Rákosi Era, which was closely modeled after the ruthless and brutal Stalin regime. The film follows the life of an ordinary dike keeper, József Pelikán, who has been caught for illegally slaughtering his pig, Dezsõ. Instead of doing hard time for his "heinous" crime, Pelikán is elevated into an important position, generally reserved for the communist elite. Of course, Pelikán is utterly clueless about his newfound luck, not to mention his new job. Even his new benefactor, the mysterious Comrade Virág, is reluctant to reveal the real reason behind Pelikán's preferential treatment. Thus, begins Pelikán's hilarious adventure deep within the "sophisticated" communist society. One failure after another the incompetent Pelikán is elevated higher and higher on the communist echelon, all the while remaining completely clueless about his promotions. Until one day, when he gets called for to return the "favour" by falsely testifying against his long-time friend in a mock-up show trial.Cult classic, a biting satire about the Communist régime but has unfortunately remained relevant thoughout the times. Most Hungarians can quote funny lines from it. Unfortunately, I doubt that it works with subtitles.
- DirectorPéter GothárStarsAnikó IvánIstván ZnamenákPéter GálfyA teenager boy has to grow up in the shifting political and moral landscape of post-1956 Hungary.Another cult classic about teenagers and history. I think this would work with subtitles, too.
- DirectorBéla TarrStarsMihály VigPutyi HorváthLászló feLugossyOn the eve of a large payment, residents of a collapsing collective farm see their plans turn into desolation when they discover that Irimiás, a former co-worker who they thought was dead, is returning to the community.I recommend it to people who love challenging art-house films.
- DirectorKároly MakkStarsLili DarvasMari TörőcsikIván DarvasThe wife of a political prisoner tends to her mother-in-law and keeps from the old woman the truth about her son, whom she believes is in New York making a film.Excellent acting
- DirectorBéla TernovszkyStarsMiklós BenedekGyula BodrogiIlona BéresAn agent delivers plans to save mice from a feline syndicate dedicated to eradicating rodents.Cult Hungarian cartoon, funny and original
- DirectorGyörgy PálfiStarsFerenc BandiJózsefné RáczJózsef FarkasUsing almost no dialogue, the film follows a number of residents (both human and animal) of a small rural community in Hungary - an old man with hiccups, a shepherdess and her sheep, an old woman who may or may not be up to no good, some folk-singers at a wedding, etc. While most of the film is a series of vignettes, there is a sinister and often barely perceptible subplot involving murder.One of the most original films I have seen. Entertaining, too.
- DirectorGábor BódyStarsGábor BódyMarietta MéhesJános DerzsiA priest arrives in a village and give advice and comfort to different people. He meets a wheelchair-bound former representative of the Communist party, a woman who is dying of tuberculosis and an astronomer who sings in a punk band.This film has not aged very well, but remains a cult classic.
- DirectorIstván GaálStarsAndrea DrahotaMarianna MoórIstvánné ZsipiA hot summer day six young men and two young women meet at the beach beside a deep river. After a while they go for a swim. At a point where the river is 8 meters deep, one of the boys gets the idea of diving to the bottom, and to bring up a handful of clay as a proof of the feat. The others follow his example. Back on dry land one of the girls suddenly wonders where Gabi is. When they figure out that no one has seen him coming up from the river, they get worried. Gabi's clothes are still on the beach, and they start searching for him along the banks and in the water. Finally they have to call the police, who start dragging the river. The corpse isn't found, and the following days Gabi's friends display different reactions to the loss. Some had unsettled matters with him, which now never can be solved. Some have already started to forget his face. At the third day the body is found. Summer is gone, and the circle of friends disbands. Some go to a bigger city for studies, while others have to stay in the small town and work. Left alone in inconsolable grief is Gabi's grandmother. Gabi's father died a long time ago, and now she has lost also her grandson, her only remaining support and joy in life.Not so well-known, very 'nouvelle vague'.
- DirectorSándor MihályfyStarsImre OlvasztóRóbert KoltaiTeri HorváthStory of a mischievous outspoken kid in a small Hungarian town.Cult classic comedy, very funny (at least to Hungarian speakers).
- DirectorPéter TímárStarsÁdám RajhonaRóbert KoltaiJudit NémethAn all-woman crate factory's new fireman installs a hidden camera in the women's dressing room for the male management's pleasure, eventually boosting business.Another classic comedy.
- DirectorIstván SzabóStarsKlaus Maria BrandauerIldikó BánságiKrystyna JandaIn early-1930s Germany, a passionate stage actor faces a dilemma: renounce his apolitical stance and comply with the Reich's doctrine, or face oblivion. But, Faustian bargains never end well. What is the price of success?Classic cimematography, powerful acting.
- DirectorPéter BacsóStarsDorottya UdvarosZoltán BezerédiAndrás KernIt is 1951, and Lucy Sziráky is a pretty, ambitious operetta actress. Her blossoming career has been thwarted by deportation. Because of her ex-husband's count rank, she has to leave the capital. For her, the adjustment to her forced village life is doubly difficult: she is far from her true livelihood, the theater, and must also contend with the resentment of her fellow aristocrats, who see her as an interloper. But Lucy is a real actress and a real no. Soon she finds the right voice for the displaced people and the men who admire her: the village party secretary, the local police captain, but she soon gets fed up.Another classic about the Communist régime. Memorable performance by Dorottya Udvaros.
- DirectorIldikó EnyediStarsAlexandra BorbélyGéza MorcsányiRéka TenkiWhen slaughterhouse workers Endre and Mária discover they share the same dreams, where they meet in a forest as deer and fall in love, they decide to make their dreams come true, but it's difficult in real life.My favourite of the past few years. Original and sensitive.
- DirectorGyula MészárosIstván BujtorStarsIstván BujtorAndrás KernLászló BánhidiDuring a heist to steal a golden statue from a museum, one of the robbers is injured and captured. A detective interrogates the thief to identify the gang and recover the statue.Cult classic from the 1980's. A famous Hungarian actor copied the style of Bud Spencer-Terrence Hill movies, but the end result was adorable.
- DirectorAttila GigorStarsZsolt AngerAndrás Márton BalóPéter BlaskóBadly needing money for the treatment of his ill mother, pathologist Tibor Malkáv accepts the proposition of a stranger to murder someone he doesn't know a thing about.A well-made crime movie - a rare thing in Hungarian cinema.