Rose's Songs (2003)
"A rózsa énekei" (original title)

Autumn 1944. Yellow star, ghettos, Arrow Cross terror. The inhabitants of Hungary's capital, Budapest, await the tragic fulfilment of their fate with helpless resignation. However, above ... See full summary »

Director:

Andor Szilágyi

Writer:

Andor Szilágyi

Stars:

Franco Castellano, David Zum, Ildikó Bánsági

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Franco Castellano	...	Géza Halász
David Zum	...	Tomi
Ildikó Bánsági	...	Lili
Djoko Rosic	...	Grandpa
Kati Patocskai	...	Julo
Petra Váradi	...	Zsuzso
Éva Tímár	...	Vera
Maia Morgenstern	...	Olga
Zoltán Gera	...	Mr. Waltz
Ági Margitai	...	Mrs. Waltz
Enikö Börcsök	...	Irén
Piroska Molnár	...	Mama Bödõ
Gabriella Gubás	...	Magda
Péter Blaskó	...	Skubala
István Jánosi	...	Arpad

Storyline

Autumn 1944. Yellow star, ghettos, Arrow Cross terror. The inhabitants of Hungary's capital, Budapest, await the tragic fulfilment of their fate with helpless resignation. However, above one of the city's villas, once a week in the evening the stars of hope sparkle, if only for a few minutes. This short time gives fresh heart to those hiding here and kindles hope in their tortured souls to live for another day. This mysterious power is none other than a beautiful song that can be heard at such times from the villa's tower room. Géza Halász, the villa's always jovial caretaker, believes no Jew has reason to fear while the owner of the voice, Imre Rose, the world-famous opera singer and a Jew himself, remains in Budapest and does not flee from the country in spite of his American, British, Swiss, Swedish and Vatican connections. Halász visits the singer every Friday to dine with him. After a while the marvellous, hope-inspiring concert starts, which is listened to by the hiding ...

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Plot Keywords:

hungary | world war two | nazi | holocaust

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Hungary Italy

Language:

Hungarian

Release Date:

20 March 2003 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Canción de esperanza

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Grantfilm Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

A beautiful film

I returned from the Calgary International Film Festival tonight after seeing this film, and it left me thinking. I like films that do this. Actually make you think after you've left the theatre.

This film is immensely different than that of mainstream films. That is what makes it interesting. It's also based on true events, which makes it even more intriguing.

The film itself is very well done. It captures the emotion and the vulnerability of people, not only in war-time Budapest, but everyone everyday.

The acting is fine, although, as with most foreign films, you need to pay close attention to the subtitles, or wind up getting lost. The characters conveyed the situation to me through their own words, and the English translation just made it better.

The plot is good. The film is slow, I won't lie, but the ending is fabulous. This is a film that takes place during the Second World War; however it is not a war film. It is something very different.

This film is a definite must see for any world-cinema type people. 8/10