Grab the popcorn, the September English-friendly Film Guide is here! From arthouses to multiplexes, see where the best features are playing across Budapest. Special this month: two film festivals! Catch the LGBTQ-supportive Humen Festival, and don't miss the Fresh Meat International Film Festival, all screenings with English subtitles.
1/14
Humen Festival
The Humen Festival began in 2016 as a film week at the Művész cinema, which aimed to showcase works not screened before in Hungarian theatres, celebrating LGBTQ-themed films, and to form a bridge with the LGBTQ community. The festival has since grown to become an LGBTQ cultural festival, including a variety of theatrical and contemporary dance performances, films and other artistic mediums. This year, the exhibition is entitled Families, and aims to show that LGBTQ couples and rainbow families are an integral part of Hungarian society. Films are shown in a myriad of languages – with Hungarian subtitles – and a full programme can be found online. Films will be shown 8-25 September.
2/14
Friss H
The 2020 Fresh Meat International Short Film Festival is slightly delayed this year, but from 10-16 September you can see the best short films from the past year at the Toldi cinema. All screenings are shown with English subtitles. Check the website for more information.
4/14
Palm Springs
90 minutes.
Adventure-comedy
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Allee, Corvin, Művész, Puskin, Tabán, Toldi, Westend
When carefree Nyles and reluctant maid of honour Sarah have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated as they are unable to escape the venue, themselves or each other.
6/14
The New Mutants
94 minutes.
Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Allee, Westend
Five young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will, fight to escape their past sins and save themselves.
7/14
Tenet
150 minutes.
Action, Drama, Thriller
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Allee, Aréna, Campona, Mammut, Művész, Puskin, Westend
Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
9/14
The Farewell
100 minutes.
Drama, comedy
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Puskin
Billi moved to New York with her parents as a young child. She herself is much more American, while her parents follow Chinese traditions and her grandmother still lives in China according to age-old values. Cultural differences really come to the fore when the grandmother becomes seriously ill and family members have to decide: tell her the tragic news or hide from her, let her enjoy the last weeks she can spend with the family.
10/14
The Guest of Honour
104 minutes.
Drama
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Kino Café Mozi, Puskin, Toldi
Veronica wants to remain in jail for a sexual assault she knows she's been wrongfully indicted for. She and her father, Jim, find themselves acting out of the bounds of good behaviour as the past haunts them.
11/14
The Burnt Orange Heresy
99 minutes.
Action thriller
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Művész, Puskin, Toldi
Hired to steal a rare painting from one of the most enigmatic painters of all time, an ambitious art dealer becomes consumed by his own greed and insecurity as the operation spins out of control.
12/14
The Other Lamb
97 minutes.
Horror
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Művész, Toldi
Teenager Selah grew up in a hidden female sect. The leader of the forest commune is the messianic Shepherd, who dominates group members in the spirit of a ritual cult as their protector, teacher and lover. For years, the charismatic leader gathered women around him in a bizarre order: most of them were the man’s wife or daughter. Selah, like the others, blindly loves and believes in the man who pays special attention to this virginal girl. However, on the eve of becoming a woman, she will also become a wife. The girl begins to suffer from dark, bloody nightmares and visions that slowly call into question her faith – and her world falls brutally to pieces.
13/14
Made in Italy
94 minutes.
Comedy
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Corvin, Kino Café Mozi, Művész, Puskin, Tabán
London-based bohemian artist Robert returns to Italy with his son, Jack, to repair the cottage his former wife left them. However, neither expects what a terrible state the house will be in... As father and son set to work, they realise that not only the holiday home but their relationship is in need of renovation. Luckily, their seemingly impossible task is alleviated by locals from the nearby town. Around the house, Robert and Jack are given a chance to transcend their past grievances and find happiness again.
14/14
Sorry We Missed You
101 minutes.
Drama
English with Hungarian subtitles
Showing at Puskin
Ricky and his family have been fighting an uphill struggle against debt since the 2008 financial crash. An opportunity to wrestle back some independence appears with a shiny new van and the chance to run a franchise as a self-employed delivery driver. See our interview with lead actress Debbie Honeywood here.
