Vana-Posti 8, Tallinn
Forbidden humour and Stalinist absurdity - Hungarian film classic "The Witness" screens at Sõprus.
You are invited to the Estonian Institute of Memory's film and discussion evening on June 17 at 7 pm at the cinema Sõprus, where Péter Bacsó's political satirical comedy "The Witness" (A tanú, 1969) will be screened. One of Hungary's most influential films, this witty and humorous portrayal of the absurdities of 1950s bureaucracy and political repression is a must-see. A poor Hungarian dyke-keeper is caught in the politics of illegally slaughtering his pig by a corrupt and deceitful system of government.
The film was made in a difficult political climate in which the 1956 revolution and Stalinism continued to be sensitive issues. Although the film was supported by the communist authorities, it was banned for nearly ten years after its completion. The Witness only premiered at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival, where it attracted international attention. In 2019, the film was screened in a restored version in the Cannes Classics programme.
The session will be introduced by János Tischler, director of the Liszt Institute, and historian Küllo Arjakas. After the film, we talk to Judit Strömpl, Associate Professor of Social Work Research at the University of Tartu.
Humour, new insights and interesting discussions are guaranteed!
The event is free of charge, but please register your attendance HERE.
The Witness
(A tanú, 1969)
Genre: Political satire comedy | Drama
Duration: 1:10
The film has subtitles in Estonian and English.
