Hungary

Synopsis

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.

Director's Statement

I tried to understand the kind of freedom that allows someone to transcend the norm, rather than talk about sexual deviance. It is not the incest that is at the heart of the story, but the courage it takes to accept what is a natural attraction, even if it breaks with conventions. What is intolerable is that there are people who believe they have the right to persecute those who do not fit the norm.
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Kornél Mundruczó

Written by: Yvette Biró, Kornél Mundruczó

Cinematography: Mátyás Erdély

Production Design: Marton Agh

Cast: Orsi Tóth (Fauna), Félix Lajkó (Mihail)

Nominations and Awards

  • European Film Academy Prix d'Excellence 2008
  • Feature Film Selection 2008