Pali and András are both interpreters but very different characters. András likes salmon, Pali doesn’t. András is bubbly, Pali is calm. András lives carpe diem, Pali is a serious professional. They both fly to the Czech Republic to do simultaneous interpreting at a lucklustre conference, where they find out that only one sole person is tuned in to their microphones. This situation brings about something neither of them would ever have imagined.
In 2013, director Barnabás Tóth created the most heart-wrenching, spellbinding and perhaps best Hungarian short film ever, My Guide (watch below). And now, after a few other endeavours, he is back with Chuchotage, another mini movie that showcases his real talent. Exciting, melancholic and at the same time sprinkled with a good amount of Hungarian humour, Chuchotage is considered a contender for an Oscar in the Best Live Short Action Film category.
Back in December, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its shortlists for the 91st Oscars in nine categories. Currently, Chuchotage is the only Hungarian production on the lists, to be narrowed down to the actual nominees and later the winners. At last year’s Academy Awards, the same Live Short Action Film category was won by Hungary, in the shape of Kristóf Deák's mini movie,
Sing.
Hungary’s film industry is enjoying a renaissance, with several remarkable features made last year and the year before. However, a decent bet for a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category, Sunset – the second full-length feature by 2016 Academy Award-winner László Nemes-Jeles – did not make the shortlist. But as not all categories have been announced yet, there is still hope for the Hungarian animated feature, Ruben Brandt, Collector.
