Kontroll (2003)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Nimród Antal

Writers:

Jim Adler (writer)
Nimród Antal (writer)

Release Date:

20 November 2003 (Hungary)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Murder. Mystery. Romance. Just another ride on the subway.

Plot:

A tale about a strange young man, Bulcsú, his fellow inspectors, who are all without exception likeable characters, a rival ticket inspection team, and racing along the tracks... And a tale about love.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Ticket | Dare | Dark | Subway

Awards:

17 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Sándor Csányi	...	Bulcsú
Zoltán Mucsi	...	Professor
Csaba Pindroch	...	Muki
Sándor Badár	...	Lecsó
Zsolt Nagy	...	Tibi
Bence Mátyássy	...	Gyalogkakukk (Bootsie)
Gyözö Szabó	...	Shadow
Eszter Balla	...	Szofi
László Nádasi	...	Laci
Péter Scherer	...	Chief
Lajos Kovács	...	Béla
Károly Horváth	...	Tamás
György Cserhalmi	...	Big Boss
János Kulka	...	Feri
László Bicskei Kiss	...	Doki

Also Known As:

Control (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violence and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

Hungary:105 min | Germany:111 min | Argentina:107 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Country:

Hungary

Language:

Hungarian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo | DTS

Certification:

UK:15 | Hungary:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Sweden:15 | Argentina:13 | Germany:12 | Singapore:NC-16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

Café Film

Trivia:

At one point, Zsolt Nagy's character accidentally hits one of the columns. This wasn't in the script, and the director decided to include it in the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: The shaving foam on Tibi's face changes during the chase of Bootsie.

Quotes:

Szofi: [at subway vending machines] Nice place. Come here often?
Bulcsú: Only when I really want to impress a girl.

Movie Connections:

References Alien³ (1992)

Dark and funny with a rockin soundtrack.

KONTROLL is a Hungarian film from director Nimród Antal. Yes, that's really his name. The first thing he did when he introduced the film was make fun of the fact that he was called Nimrod, which is great.

The film is about a group of ticket inspectors in the Hungarian subway system, with the focus on at least one in particular (Bulcsú). Each character is extremely likable, even the passengers become memorable characters, as none of them buy a ticket and are chased or shaken down by the inspectors, which is commonplace in Hungary. There is even a young girl in a bear suit (don't ask) that is absolutely gorgeous. The interaction between her and Bulcsú is sweet and funny. They had the kind of chemistry that is difficult to capture on film.

The entire film takes place in the underground, which is effectively presented as a separate world than the one above ground. Some characters even talk about "up there" with a child- like wonder in their voices.

The cinematography is beautiful. Some of the scenes or long panning shots in the underground are breathtaking. Who'd a thunk it'd look so cool down there? You can tell the director has a photography background, by the wonderful shots he selected.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the rockin' soundtrack. Unfortunately, the band that did the music (NEO) are no longer together. Lets hope the director gets the soundtrack released.

This film is not all laughs however. It has a very serious side that is dark, and an ending that makes you think. If this is the kind of film we can expect from Hungary, I'm eagerly anticipating more. I definitely recommend this film. (8/10)