1/8
Humen Film Festival
Six colors, six films – the upcoming Humen Film Festival will cover Művész Cinema with rainbows during September 8-11, focusing on lust for life, optimistic moods, and cheerfulness. Each of the six films reflects one of the colors of the Pride flag, and you’ll be able to watch Dutch comedy, Scandinavian drama, or a Bollywood cult classic – all of them with original audio and Hungarian subtitles. The aim of the festival is to make people join the programs because they want to see a good film, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender, or age. Nånting måste gå sönder (Something Must Break) is a bittersweet take on young love by Ester Martin Bergsmark, while Fourth Man Out is a touchingly heartfelt comedy about coming out. The program also includes Dostana, the aforementioned Indian romantic comedy, and films like Chez Nous.
2/8
Blade Runner
Visually spectacular, intensely action-packed, and powerfully prophetic since its debut; Ridley Scott’s mysterious neo-noir thriller has only deepened with time. The story centers around a 21st century detective, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who hunts for murderous fugitive cyborgs – and is drawn to a mystery woman whose secrets may undermine his soul. Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner is a singularly hallucinatory experience, a master of dystopian science fiction that hasn’t aged since its premiere in 1982 – it only became more prescient.
Where to watch?
Original audio, Hungarian subtitles at Budapest Pont on September 15, 6pm.
3/8
Slovak Film Days
Little is known about the contemporary Slovak film scene, although it is gaining international renown; for example, Eva Nova – Marko Skop’s small but heartfelt drama, starring the “First Lady Of Slovak Theater And Film”, Emilia Vasaryova – was awarded with the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival. Luckily, Slovak Film Days, taking place between September 15-17 at Toldi Cinema, hosts screens of five films, in genres ranging from drama to comedy. Koza (meaning “goat” in Slovak) is a visually impressive docu-fiction hybrid about a retired boxer from Ivan Ostrochovsky, while Deti (Children) is the first feature film by celebrated documentary filmmaker Jaro Vojtek. The program also includes Domácí péče (Home Care) and Čistič (The Cleaner) – and everything will be screened with original audio, English subtitles, and Hungarian sync-translation. More details
4/8
Sing Street
Like his earlier films Once and Begin Again, Sing Street is inspired by writer/directorJohn Carney’s life and love for music, and tells the story of 14-year-old Cosmo (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), growing up in Dublin in the 1980s. Cosmo must break free of a home strained by his parents’ relationship and money troubles, deal with the antics of his dropout older brother, and survive a new public school, where the kids are rough and their brothers are rougher. Cosmo writes a song, forms a scrappy band with some schoolmates, writes more songs, and shoots some wicked music videos. But how to shoot pop videos in a recession-ridden country? Beg, borrow, and steal. But when Cosmo realizes he can’t save his family, he must make a family of his own. This is one of the most romantic movies you’ll find anywhere these days, brimming over with music, fun, and the thrill of first love.
Where to watch?
Original audio and Hungarian subtitles at Allee and Mammut. For screening times, check Port or Cinema City’s homepage.
5/8
Conspiracy of Faith
A Conspiracy Of Faith is part of a trilogy of films in the “Department Q” series (which also includes titles like The Absent One and The Keeper Of Lost Causes), and so far, it’s the darkest of them. Once again, the film is centered around Danish detective Carl Morck (Nikolaj Lie Kaas). When a swimmer finds a note, written in blood, which turns out to be a message from a boy being held captive, Morck and his partner Assad (Fares Fares) uncover a reclusive religious sect that harbors a serial killer (Pal Sverre Hagen). Unlike previous directors, Hans Petter Moland puts action first and mystery second. Imagine True Detective with some Kierkegaard-ish and Michael Bay-ish twists. Recommended.
Where to watch?
Original audio and Hungarian subtitles at Allee and Mammut. For screening times, check Port or Cinema City’s homepage.
6/8
Suicide Squad
It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous incarcerated DC Comics Supervillains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. US intelligence officer Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is the ringleader of this secretly convened group of disparate and despicable individuals, all of whom have nothing to lose. The team is to execute dangerous black-ops missions in exchange for clemency and saving the world from a powerful threat. Suicide Squad comes from director David Ayer, starring Margot Robbie (as Harley Quinn), Will Smith (as Deadshot), Jared Leto (as the Joker), and Jay Hernandez (as Diablo).
Where to watch?
Original (English) audio, Hungarian subtitles at Allee, Aréna, WestEnd, MOM Park, Mammut and Campona. For screening times, go to Cinema City or Port.
7/8
Ben-Hur
This year’s remake of the 1959 Academy Award-winning historical epic follows Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Tobby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, and separated from his family and the woman he loves, Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but an encounter with Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro) leads him to the Crucifixion, where he discovers forgiveness and finds redemption. Director Timur Bekmambetov successfully combines his particular action style with a classic tale of Christian forgiveness and Ben-Hur’s final redemption. And yes, the new chariot race scene is just as breathtaking as the previous one was in 1959.
Where to watch?
Original (English) audio, Hungarian subtitles at Allee, Aréna, WestEnd, MOM Park. For screening times, go to Cinema City or Port.
