The Cinema of Márta Mészáros

Ordinary People, Extraordinary lives

Date: 5 July - 31 July
Venue:  BFI Southbank
Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XT

The welcomes a new season dedicated to the work of award-winning Hungarian filmmaker MÁRTA MÉSZÁROS, taking place at BFI Southbank throughout July, with selected films also available UK-wide via BFI Player from 17 July. Márta Mészáros, who turns 90 in September, has also pre-recorded special introductions for the season, which will be screened before selected films at BFI Southbank, and be made available to audiences around the UK, for free via BFI’s online channels.

Titles featured in the season include Mészáros’ assured, award-winning fiction debut THE GIRL (1968); the intergenerational story of female empowerment ADOPTION (1975), which was the first film directed by a woman to win the Golden Bear at the Berlinale; and Mészáros’ Diary trilogy starring Zsuzsa Czinkóczi – DIARY FOR MY CHILDREN (1984), DIARY FOR MY LOVES (1987) and DIARY FOR MY FATHER AND MOTHER (1990).

The season at BFI Southbank will also include the World Restoration Premiere of RIDDANCE (1973), presented in partnership with Woman With a Movie Camera powered by Jaguar; RIDDANCE tells the story of an independent young textile worker who faces a test of honesty when she falls in love with a university student. Audiences across the UK will also be able to explore key titles in Mészáros’ rich filmography through BFI Player’s Subscription service, with ADOPTION, RIDDANCE (both from 17 July) and the Diary trilogy (all three films from 24 July) being made available to subscribers.

Whilst resisting the ‘feminist filmmaker’ label, Mészáros undeniably makes her films from a female point of view, often drawing on her own personal experience. Her significant body of work can teach audiences volumes about relationships between parents and children, state and individuals and the rich tapestry of Central and Eastern European life. Alongside screenings, audiences will also be able to hear from season programmer Maggi Hurt who will explore key narrative and stylistic elements of Mészáros’ work ahead of a screening of THE GIRL (1968) on 5 July. With all films in the season recently restored by National Film Institute Hungary – Film Archive, this is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge Mészáros’ incisive vision, so relevant to our times.

More info and tickets are available HERE.