The Notebook (2013)

Twin siblings enduring the harshness of WWII in a village on the Hungarian border hedge their survival on studying and learning from the evil surrounding them.

Director:

János Szász

Writers:

Tom Abrams (dramaturge), Agota Kristof (novel)

Stars:

László Gyémánt, András Gyémánt, Piroska Molnár

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
László Gyémánt	...	Iker
András Gyémánt	...	Iker
Piroska Molnár	...	Nagyanya
Ulrich Thomsen	...	Tiszt
Ulrich Matthes	...	Apa
Gyöngyvér Bognár	...	Anya
Sabin Tambrea	...	A tiszt barátja
Péter Andorai	...	Plébános
Diána Magdolna Kiss	...	Szolgálólány (as Kiss Diána)
Orsolya Tóth	...	Nyúlszáj (as Tóth Orsi)
Enikö Börcsök	...	Nyúlszáj anyja
János Derzsi	...	Cipész
Lajos Kovács	...	Rendõr
András Réthelyi	...	Ordonánc
Krisztián Kovács	...	Katona (as Kovács Krisztián)

Storyline

The Nazis have invaded Hungary and war is raging in the main cities. To avoid it, a woman leaves her thirteen-year-old twin boys at their grandmother's place in the countryside. The children don't know their grandmother, a dirty, miserly, and mean old woman who barely allows them inside the house. Left to their own devices, the two children learn to cope with hunger, the cold, and the everyday cruelty in a devastated country. To protect themselves, the twins reject all moral codes and values and instead take their lessons from the evil around them in order to try to survive. The siblings studiously note, as objectively as possible, their discoveries and their burgeoning knowledge in a notebook.

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Plot Keywords:

family relationships | world war two | female pedophile | in medias res | flip book | 

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Taglines:

In Hungary during World War II to survive is everything.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Official submission of Hungary for the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 86th Academy Awards in 2014. The film made the shortlist of the last 9 films, but was not nominated.

User Reviews

Excellent war movie

The horror of war through the eyes of two boys. War has it's effect on every age group of people.War stories have been told several times, though this is quite different it's own way. It leaves you thinking, how devastating the war can be, and it leaves a mark on everyone through the ages to come. About this movie, the direction is superb, the acting especially the two boys are wonderful. Even the music is worth mentioning, is superb. It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. The film has been selected as the Hungarian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [Hungary] Official site

Country:

Hungary Germany Austria France

Language:

Hungarian German

Release Date:

19 September 2013 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

The Notebook

Filming Locations:

Sopron, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

HUF953,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,127, 31 August 2014

Gross USA:

$66,559

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,879,456

Company Credits

Production Co:

Intuit Pictures, Hunnia Filmstúdió, Amour Fou Vienna

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1