Satantango (1994)

On the eve of a large payment, residents of a collapsing collective farm see their plans turn into desolation when they discover that Irimiás, a former co-worker who they thought was dead, is returning to the community.

Director:

Béla Tarr

Writers:

László Krasznahorkai (novel), Mihály Vig (story)

Stars:

Mihály Vig, Putyi Horváth, László feLugossy

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mihály Vig	...	Irimiás
Putyi Horváth	...	Petrina (as Dr. Putyi Horváth)
László feLugossy	...	Schmidt
Éva Almássy Albert	...	Schmidtné (as Éva Almási Albert)
János Derzsi	...	Kráner
Irén Szajki	...	Kránerné
Alfréd Járai	...	Halics
Miklós Székely B.	...	Futaki
Erzsébet Gaál	...	Halicsné
György Barkó	...	Iskolaigazgató
Zoltán Kamondi	...	Kocsmáros
Barna Mihók	...	Kerekes
Péter Dobai	...	Százados
András Bodnár	...	Horgos Sanyi
Erika Bók	...	Estike

Storyline

In a small, dilapidated village in 1990s Hungary, life has come to a virtual stand-still. The Autumn rains have started. A few of the villagers expect to receive a large cash payment that evening, and then plan to leave. Some want to abscond earlier with more than their fair share of the money. However they hear that the smooth-talking Irimias, who they thought had died, is returning. They are apprehensive that he will take all their money in one of his grandiose schemes to keep the community going.

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Plot Keywords:

hungary | contemplative cinema | long take | dead cat | child suicide | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dorka Gryllus visited a friend on the set of Sátántangó, and was impressed by the whole "feeling of film making". It was then, when she decided to be a film actress - and in a few years, she became a famous Hungarian actress.

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Quotes

Százados: Not that human life was so highly valued. Keeping order appears to be the business of the authorities, but in fact it's the business of all. Order. Freedom, however, has nothing human. It's something divine, something... our lives are too short for us to know properly. If you're looking for a link, think of Pericles, order and freedom are linked by passion. We have to believe in both, we suffer from both. Both from order and freedom. But human life is meaningful, rich, beautiful and filthy. It ...

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Connections

Featured in Brows Held High: Gerry Redux! (2014)

User Reviews

Beautiful 7.5 hour black and white film of muddy country side

I saw this film at a Bela Taar festival and I remember it having 3 or 4 breaks because it was so long. But it was worth it. I am constantly remembering the images from this piece, I don´t even remember the exact story, but the images, the sequences, were just lovely. If you ever have a chance to see this film projected, take it. Don´t worry if you can´t sit through the whole thing, just see some of it, you won´t forget it. Marvelous long takes, wonderful characters. That first scene with the tracking shot of the cows and the two guys walking down the street with the garbage blowing in the wind around them. Wonderful black and white film. I advise all cat lovers to stay away. Bela Taar is one of the best.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Hungary Germany Switzerland

Language:

Hungarian

Release Date:

28 April 1994 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Satantango

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mozgókép Innovációs Társulás és Alapítvány, Von Vietinghoff Filmproduktion (VVF), Vega Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

439 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1