Hungarian Masters

Second Run presents a selection of essential works by Hungarian cinema‘s most renowned filmmakers. This special edition box set contains these celebrated films presented from stunning new 4K restorations and released for the first time ever on Blu-ray. The set includes Zoltán Fábri’s Merry-Go-Round (Körhinta, 1955); István Gaál’s Current (Sodrásban, 1963) and Miklós Jancsó’s Agnus Dei (Égi bárány, 1970) Zoltán Fábri‘s beloved film is considered one of the finest in all of Hungarian cinema. A love story set against the rural backdrop of communist farming collectives, a young girl (the great Mari Törőcsik in her film debut) falls for farm worker Máté, but is betrothed by her domineering father to another man. This pastoral take on Romeo and Juliet is a rich and achingly beautiful work, framed by the turbulent changes in society taking place at that time. Voted by international critics as one of the ‘10 Best Hungarian Films of All Time’ “The heroine of Zoltán Fábri’s marvellous film should have the prize for the Best Actress... This is the big prize winner. This is my Palme d’Or.” François Truffaut, Cannes 1956 “It resounds with love” Jean Cocteau Merry-Go-Round is the pinnacle of Hungarian cinema István Szábo Current (Sodrásban) A film by István Gaál A group of young friends on the cusp of adulthood decide to spend one last idyllic day together by the river before they depart for jobs and university. When one of them goes missing, a frantic search begins - and recriminations ensue. Often cited as the first film of the Hungarian New Wave, István Gaál’s haunting existential drama contemplates the transience of youth and the impermanence of memory. Echoing Antonioni’s L‘Avventura and Kurosawa’s Rashomon, Current is a powerful and lyrical work that serves as a lament for a generation. Voted by international critics as one of the ‘10 Best Hungarian Films of All Time’ 1964 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival / Winner: Best Film 1965 Hungarian Film Critics’ Awards / Winner: Best Director, Best Cinematography “A film of freshness and poetry in an unmistakably modern tone” Pier Paolo Pasolini Miklós Jancsó’s symbolic re-enactment of Hungary’s 1919 revolution and counter-revolution is another virtuoso display of cinematic skill and artistry, turning history into theatre. The film explores political upheaval, oppression and the complicity of the Church, in this refined, complex allegory of the rise of fascism in Hungary. The dazzling Agnus Dei marks a transition from Jancsó’s more traditional narrative films of the 1960s, to the more experimental and provocative works of the 1970s. “Jancsó’s most enigmatic film… a deeply mysterious and symbolic drama” “[Jancsó] has shown himself in the very forefront of international cinema... photographed by probably the most choreographic camera now at work anywhere: loving, stylized sweeps, caressing pans, circling movements around the actors, astonishing compositions” Village Voice Merry-Go-Round (Körhinta), Current (Sodrásban), and Agnus Dei (Égi bárány) presented from new 4K restorations by the National Film Institute Hungary – Film Archive. An archival interview with Miklós Jancsó (1987). Award-winning Hungarian filmmaker István Szabó on the influence and cinematic legacy of Zoltán Fábri. Tisza - Autumn Sketches (Tisza - Őszi vázlatok, 1962): István Gaál’s acclaimedshort film observing autumn descend along the river Tisza. A new filmed appreciation of Current. Merry-Go-Round 1955 screen tests. A film on the restoration of Merry-Go-Round. Trailers Individual booklets with new writing on each film by writers and curators John Cunningham, Peter Hames and Tony Rayns.New and improved English subtitle translations. World premieres on Blu-ray. Region-free Blu-rays (A/B/C). + MORE TBC