Hungarian Masters: Three films by Zoltán Fábri, István Gaál and Miklós Jancsó (ej svensk text) (Blu-ray)

Second Run presents a selection of essential works by Hungarian cinema's most renowned filmmakers. This special edition box set contains these celebrated films presented from stunning new 4K restorations and released for the first time ever on Blu-ray. The set includes Zoltán Fábri’s Merry-Go-Round (Körhinta, 1955); István Gaál’s Current (Sodrásban, 1963) and Miklós Jancsó’s Agnus Dei (Égi bárány, 1970) Merry-Go-Round (Körhinta) Zoltán Fábri's beloved film is considered one of the finest in all of Hungarian cinema. A love story set against the rural backdrop of communist farming collectives, a young girl (the great Mari Törőcsik in her film debut) falls for farm worker Máté, but is betrothed by her domineering father to another man. This pastoral take on Romeo and Juliet is a rich and achingly beautiful work, framed by the turbulent changes in society taking place at that time. Current (Sodrásban) A group of young friends on the cusp of adulthood decide to spend one last idyllic day together by the river before they depart for jobs and university. When one of them goes missing, a frantic search begins - and recriminations ensue. Often cited as the first film of the Hungarian New Wave, István Gaál’s haunting existential drama contemplates the transience of youth and the impermanence of memory. Echoing Antonioni’s L'Avventura and Kurosawa’s Rashomon, Current is a powerful and lyrical work that serves as a lament for a generation. Agnus Dei (Égi bárány) Miklós Jancsó’s symbolic re-enactment of Hungary’s 1919 revolution and counter-revolution is another virtuoso display of cinematic skill and artistry, turning history into theatre. The film explores political upheaval, oppression and the complicity of the Church, in this refined, complex allegory of the rise of fascism in Hungary. The dazzling Agnus Dei marks a transition from Jancsó’s more traditional narrative films of the 1960s, to the more experimental and provocative works of the 1970s.