Adoption (1975)
"Örökbefogadás" (original title)

Single factory worker Kata, 43, wants to have a child with her long-time secret lover, a married man called Joska. He doesn't like the idea. Kata befriends teenage schoolgirl Anna, ... See full summary »

Director:

Márta Mészáros

Writers:

Ferenc Grunwalsky, Gyula Hernádi,

Stars:

Katalin Berek, Gyöngyvér Vigh, Péter Fried

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Katalin Berek	...	Csentesné - Kata (as Berek Kati)
Gyöngyvér Vigh	...	Bálint Anna
Péter Fried	...	Sanyi
László Szabó	...	Jóska
István Szõke
Flóra Kádár	...	Erzsi, Jóska felesége
Janos Boross	...	Anna apja
Erzsi Varga	...	Anna anyja
István Kaszás	...	Intézetigazgató
Anikó Kiss
Zsófi Mészáros
Judit Felvidéki
Irén Rácz
Erika Jozsi	...	(as Józsa Erika)
András Szigeti

Storyline

Single factory worker Kata, 43, wants to have a child with her long-time secret lover, a married man called Joska. He doesn't like the idea. Kata befriends teenage schoolgirl Anna, abandoned by her parents at the age of six. Anna runs away from the local children's home and moves in with Kata so that she can keep on seeing her boyfriend Sanyi. Kata goes to see Anna's parents and persuades them to give the young lovers their permission to marry. Through Anna, Kata becomes interested in neglected children and decides to adopt a baby from the children's home.

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Plot Keywords:

child abandonment | working woman | love | kitchen sink realism | women in society | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Hungary

Language:

Hungarian

Release Date:

25 September 1975 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Adoption

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hungarofilm, Hunnia Filmstúdió

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

User Reviews

An excellent example of social realism at its best. Very well done.

Marta Meszaros brings a subtle, yet effective critique of both communist Hungary and the patriarchal system that existed there in the mid 1970s. This film does move slowly, but that is part of what makes it great. It is shot in the social realism style. This means that there are long drawn-out shots, often with little dialogue. Slow camera movements are also a hallmark of this style. Since Adoption was made well outside of the Hollywood system, it does not adhere to the conventions that many American moviegoers would expect. If action-adventure is your kind of movie, skip this one. If, however, you are intrigued by a well told story pertaining to everyday life, this film is worth checking out.