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Post by london777 on Mar 18, 2017 17:17:45 GMT
I watched this last night. I like films about characters seeking redemption (although I am a total atheist) because I do not have a lot of time left to find my own. At least, I think that is what it was about. One of the assets of this film is that it does not tie things up using some tired old trope like "he was dead all along" or "it was all a dream". I have had a bellyful of "open-ended" movies lately and many of them just seemed like the inspiration or the money ran out, but here the ending was right, inevitable, and uplifting.
If you have not seen it, please do so. It is easily and cheaply obtainable.
It is a blend of (mild) horror and social satire done as allegorical black comedy. Made for 100 million forint, a very modest budget, but then they did not have to build any sets.
The director cites Andrei Tarkovsky's Solaris (1972) as the main influence. I did not spot that myself, but there many resemblances to other classics. The previous film I watched was the Director's Cut of Dark City (1998) and there were immediate similarities. Also to another recent watch, Jacob's Ladder (1990). Both were good, but Kontroll has the bonus of compassionate social observation seamlessly woven into the mix. This aspect reminded me of Jarmusch's type of deadpan humor.
I even liked the soundtrack, continuously pounding "techno" (have I got that right, pop fans?) Normally that would have me reaching for the eject button within seconds but it was the right choice for the environment.
One of the funniest parts was the introduction by the head of the Budapest Metro, explaining that it was not a documentary, and that passengers could rest assured that the Metro was not really staffed by lunatics and murderers. Without being allowed his brief speech he would not have allowed the Metro to be used for filming. How he could read it with a straight face I do not know. I hope he enjoyed his two minutes of fame.
Antal is actually an American. He returned to the US after this brilliant debut to make three totally forgettable mainstream movies. He is now working on a film in Hungary again. Let us hope he regains his mojo there and is not remembered as a one-hit wonder.
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gogoschka1
Sophomore
@gogoschka1
Posts: 256
Likes: 76
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Post by gogoschka1 on Mar 19, 2017 10:02:00 GMT
Hey London, loved to read your post. Kontroll just so happens to be one of my all time favorite movies. It's such a perfect little film, and it has simply everything: great characters, superb cinematography, a kick-ass soundtrack; it's a comedy, a mystery thriller, a drama and a romance - and the performances and the direction are flawless.
Apart from the at times outrageously funny comedy/satire, it's the ambiguity and the symbolism of the story which make the film stand out for me. You have to fill in a lot of the blanks yourself and the further the story progresses, the more you're left wondering and guessing, and it just keeps surprising you with the unexpected turns it takes (which I always love in a movie). And what makes me call 'Kontroll' great instead of just very good, is that it works on so many levels: there is a wide range of different interpretations possible, from the mainstream one to the dark and disturbing or even the religious - and they all work beautifully.
I really hope more people watch this film, I think it's a masterpiece.
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Post by london777 on Mar 19, 2017 14:22:59 GMT
I really hope more people watch this film, I think it's a masterpiece. Thanks gogoschka1. That is why I posted, to encourage others to give it a try.
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Post by manfromplanetx on Mar 20, 2017 2:42:15 GMT
I really hope more people watch this film, I think it's a masterpiece. Thanks gogoschka1. That is why I posted, to encourage others to give it a try. You have encouraged me ! , love Hungarian cinema... now have a copy on order Many thanks for the great rave and the recommendation london777
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Post by koskiewicz on Mar 20, 2017 15:11:37 GMT
I purchased this when it first became available on DVD. It is one of all time favorite foreign language films...
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