Transitions Central Europe: Hommage to Kornél Mundruczó's Cinema

HUNGARY

Hommage to Kornél Mundruczó's Cinema

“Tender Son: The Frankenstein Project” | 18:00

Austria/Germany/Hungary, 2010, 105’, color

Long ago, a young man fathered a child without ever knowing what became of him. Now 17, his son Rudi returns home hoping to reunite with his family after years spent in an institution. Returning to his mother, he hopes to find acceptance, affection, and most importantly, who his father is, but finds that he is not welcome. Almost by accident, Rudi slips into a casting session. The director of the film is transfixed by his innocence and thinks he has found his lead. But a terrible event soon compromises Rudi’s good intentions. He becomes a hunted murderer, and the director realizes that Rudi, this peculiar and silent boy, is his son and his own monstrous creation. The director now has no other choice but to accompany his son on his inevitable, brutal path and their common search for redemption.

Directed by: Kornél Mundruczó
Writing Credits: Kornél Mundruczó (screenplay), Mary Shelley (novel)
Cast: Rudolf Frecska, Kornél Mundruczó, Lili Monori, Kitty Csíkos

“Delta” | 20:00

Germany/Hungary, 2008, 92’, color

A quiet young man returns to the wild, isolated landscape of the Delta. It is a labyrinth of waterways, small islands and over-grown vegetation, where the villagers are cut off from the outside world. The young man, who has been away since early childhood, is introduced to a sister he never knew he had. She is frail and timid, but resolute when she decides to join him in his run-down hut on the shore. Together they build a house on stilts in the middle of the river, far away from everyone else. One day, they invite the villagers over to share a meal together, but it becomes apparent that the coarse locals do not accept their unnatural relationship.

Directed by: Kornél Mundruczó
Script, Dialogue: Yvette Biro, Kornél Mundruczó
Set Decorator: Marton Agh
Music: Félix Lajkó
Film Editor: Dávid Jancsó
Sound: Gabor Balazs
Cast: Sándor Gáspár, Félix Lajkó, Lili Monori, Orsi Tóth

“Johanna” | 22:00

Hungary, 2005, 83’, color

Touched by divine grace, Johanna becomes a nurse and cures patients by offering them her body. The hospital staff is infuriated by her sexual “healing”, but grateful patients join to protect her.

Directed by: Kornél Mundruczó
Produced by: Viktória Petrányi, Béla Tarr
Written by: Kornél Mundruczó, Yvette Biro, Viktória Petrányi
Starring: Orsolya Tóth, Zsolt Trill
Cinematography: Nagy András
Edited by: Vanda Arányi