INHABITANTS OF CASTLES

Kastélyok lakói (1966)

Directed by Judit Elek

Screenplay by Judit Elek

Director of photography: István Zöldi

Music: Bálint Bakfark

Cast: György Somlyó, Lajos Kassák, Gyula Hernádi, Sándor Weöres

Genre: documentary

Production: Balázs Béla Studio

Technical specs: black and white, 27 min

Format: 1.37:1, 4K restored, grading supervised by Elemér Ragályi DP

The story of two workers, the end and the beginning. Uncle Pista has been a lathe operator in Csepel for 40 years. He is tired and sickly, but when he has to work, he always gets better. As he retires, they emphasise in a fine speech that they count on him and his experience. He is replaced by another man, relationships are broken. The old man can’t find his place. In the small village on the banks of the Tisza, Pista and his sister are raised alone by their mother, and their alcoholic father has not been seen for years. Pista becomes an industrial apprentice in Pest. In their first class they learn to hammer.

HOW LONG DOES MAN LIVE? Meddig él az ember? (1967)

Directed by Judit Elek

Screenplay by Judit Elek

Director of photography: Elemér Ragályi

Music: András Szőllősy

Cast: István Valovics, Pista Pásztor

Genre: documentary

Production: Balázs Béla Studio

Technical specs: black and white, 56 min

Format: 1.37:1, 4K restored, grading supervised by Elemér Ragályi DP

Awards

Cannes, 1968, Semaine de la Critique /Sélection officielle/

Oberhausen, 1968. First Prize and Young Jury Award

Locarno, 1968, Prize of the Jury

Miskolc 1968. Prize of the City of Miskolc, Prize for Photography

An elderly lady decides she wants to exchange her two-room flat for something smaller. The storm of people interested rattles her solitary life with short-lived acquaintances connecting her with strangers for just a brief moment. Judit Elek’s first feature film is a sensitive portrait of loneliness and human relations painted through unusual everyday scenes and delicately grotesque humour. Several scenes in the film were shot in documentary style with random people walking down the street. Lead actress Manyi Kiss gives a most touching performance.