This must be the only foreign language film, (apart from Albert Lamorise's "The Red Balloon") not to require subtitles. The only one there is translates the title of this rural set Hungarian film, from 2002 - as "Hiccup".
But, what we do have is an elderly gent, gently hiccupping his day away, sitting outside his old cottage - as the world goes past. A world that includes a pig, its testicles swinging wildly, just after a shot of villagers enjoying a game of bowls. The postmistress on her bicycle, delivering. Geese, of course. And a giant combine harvester. Plus everything else.
So, we have wit. We also have dark goings on as the womenfolk seem to be feeding their men food and drink that seem to have come from a special source.
Every conceivable village activity, from beekeeping to the flour mill, from the bobbing of the cotton wheels and whirring of sewing machines, to a giant, lazy catfish gobbling a mouthful in the local lake. Even a mole underground, at night, scratches its way to devouring a juicy worm. What IS going on?
The images are often in close-up, the natural sounds amplified. The camera loiters behind objects to throw us off the scent. The scent of what, though? The local constable knows something's going on. Is he exempt?
This ever interesting short film (70mins) does seem to take its time to make its point. Though it actually doesn't, doesn't really matter. A joy....but like actual hiccups, you'll want to move on once it's over.
But, what we do have is an elderly gent, gently hiccupping his day away, sitting outside his old cottage - as the world goes past. A world that includes a pig, its testicles swinging wildly, just after a shot of villagers enjoying a game of bowls. The postmistress on her bicycle, delivering. Geese, of course. And a giant combine harvester. Plus everything else.
So, we have wit. We also have dark goings on as the womenfolk seem to be feeding their men food and drink that seem to have come from a special source.
Every conceivable village activity, from beekeeping to the flour mill, from the bobbing of the cotton wheels and whirring of sewing machines, to a giant, lazy catfish gobbling a mouthful in the local lake. Even a mole underground, at night, scratches its way to devouring a juicy worm. What IS going on?
The images are often in close-up, the natural sounds amplified. The camera loiters behind objects to throw us off the scent. The scent of what, though? The local constable knows something's going on. Is he exempt?
This ever interesting short film (70mins) does seem to take its time to make its point. Though it actually doesn't, doesn't really matter. A joy....but like actual hiccups, you'll want to move on once it's over.