East Side Stories

Anthology film made as an act of protest against Hungarian government of Viktor Orban.

An unsettling feeling overwhelms a small Hungarian town when two orthodox Jews arrive with a mysterious trunk. As residents begin to speculate on the purpose of the visit of these two strangers, order starts to crumble in town with some pursuing devious plans and others finding remorse in their hearts.

Housewife Katalin Munk (Johanna ter Steege) has her world torn apart when her lecturer husband János (Andor Lukáts) arrives home to tell her that he’s leaving her for a younger student of his. Katalin falls into a state of shock and wanders about the streets of Budapest in just her dressing gown carrying a pair of scissors. After a series of misadventures, Katalin eventually ends up in Turkey, where suddenly Katalin is awakened and decides to start a new life after meeting local man Hilal (Yavuz Bingol). Meanwhile her son Zoli (Norbert Varga) tries to hunt Katalin down.

Feature film

One day of a Hungarian stock trader.

1989 is an important year in the political history of Hungary. However, Petya and his friends couldn't care less. They are about to graduate high school. The only important things to them are the parties, girls, making some easy cash. And of course, passing the upcoming exam with the leaked questions.

Having suffered as a boy under a brutal Communist-era coach, champion Hungarian gymnast Miklos moves to Canada years later in search of a new start - only to find himself unwittingly perpetuating the very same cycle of abuse among his own pupils.

A mother's struggle to support her child leads her into a surreal netherworld of sex and danger in this drama from Hungarian filmmaker Szabolcs Hajdu. Mona Paparu is a single mother who has been left to raise her daughter Viorica on her own, only to have her fitness as a parent called into question by her aunt Rodica. Forced to answer Rodica's charges in a meeting with Child Protective Service authorities, Mona tells the long, convoluted tale of how she fell in with Viorel, a charming but sinister underworld figure, in order to provide for her daughter. As Mona falls into debt to Viorel, he puts her to work in a variety of illegal enterprises, finally ending up in the Bibliotheque Pascal, an elegant but bizarre house of prostitution in which men can re-enact sexual scenarios inspired by great works of literature for a hefty fee. Bibliotheque Pascal was an official selection at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival.

A mysterious wanderer (Isaach De Bankolé) settles into a strange homestead on the parched Hungarian plains populated by an odd assortment of outcasts, in this stunning, dreamlike reverie from ambitious director Szabolcs Hajdu.

Dropped into a web of family, sexual, political and romantic relationships where nothing is quite what it seems. One event leads to something else, people appear in one situation and reappear in another and by the end the lives of 22 people intersect in unpredictable ways during a 90-minute period on one magical night in the city they share.

Eszter, her husband Farkas, and their five-year-old son Bruno are paid an unexpected visit in the middle of the night. Eszter’s sister Ernella, her husband Albert and daughter Laura have returned from a year spent in Scotland where, contrary to expectations, they weren’t able to settle down. It soon becomes clear that the two families had never really been in tune with one another.

Imi, a rebellious teenager and her best friend, Tibi, live in a suburban housing estate. Imi increasingly feel that their relationship turns toward sexuality. A close friendship is at risk because of a woman's appearance Imi will love the beautiful Brigit, the local troupe's Sweetheart. The emotional triangle is extended to her suitor as well. Did not manage to solve the everyday situation?

The story of a wealth Eastern European family in Las Vegas, whose misunderstanding of American ways results in the loss of their dignity and self-respect.

As her third film's premiere draws close, a young filmmaker begins to crack under the pressure of external forces.

A Hungarian film

The story takes place nowadays, somewhere in Northern Hungary. Juli leaves home one day on a bicycle. She starts toward the North. Cycles comfortably on the bending mountain roads. She left the compass home, however, so she gets lost soon. On the road, she meets strange figures.

A young girl is taken to an orphanage, which she hopes to flee.

In memory of Janos Toth.