Film - MERRY-GO-ROUND (Körhinta)

Off the Wall Films presents

MERRY-GO-ROUND (Körhinta)

Zoltán Fábri, Hungary, 1956, 95m, 15, sub-titles

NB - Doors at 5:30pm for a 6:30pm start. The programme will end around 9:00pm. Pre-screening supper, available to pre-order only, served in the Waterside 5:30 - 6:15pm. To order supper simply buy a meal ticket as listed above (nb - supper bookings will close at 12:00 midnight on the Saturday before the screening).

Rural Hungary around the time of Stalin’s death in 1953. Mari, daughter of István, is a headstrong young woman pursued by the handsome dark-haired Máté. The two are soon deeply in love, but Istvan is dead set against the romance. He’s anxious to extricate himself and his land from the local farming collective and to enter a private business venture with fellow landowner Sándor, whom he wants to pair with Mari to ‘seal the deal’. But Máté, who is a champion of collectivism, will not relinquish Mari and a showdown worthy of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is in prospect.

Celebrated for the complex realism of its characters, and in particular for the frenzied spinning dance symbolising the lovers’ rejection of convention, and the titular merry-go-round sequence where Mari and Máté cement their love (not a studio set-up but filmed for real from a precarious platform suspended amongst the chains of the carousel). The film created a huge stir in the West when it was snubbed by the 1956 Cannes Film Festival jury, leading to an outcry from its supporters including François Truffaut and Lindsay Anderson. Despite a lukewarm reception upon original release in Hungary, Merry-Go-Round is now cherished as one of the nation’s favourite films, held in as much regard as, say, Brief Encounter is in the UK - “The pinnacle of Hungarian cinema,” (director István Szabó).

Presented in partnership with supporters of the Bath-Kaposvar friendship link.

“A cinematic marvel that’s bursting with passion from start to finish.” – Blueprint.

“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.” – DvdBeaver.

“Nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes and was twice voted by Hungarian critics as one of the twelve best Hungarian films in 1968 and 2000.” – DvdCompare.

“… a wonderful film that begins in a joyful fashion, full of energy, life and humour, culminating in its famous titular merry-go-round sequence, where our two lovers (along with the camera) spin around in a dizzying euphoria.” – DvdCompare.

“Fábri keeps his narrative and thematic plates spinning brilliantly”. – theartsdesk.com

Voluntary donations - Off the Wall Films is a not-for-profit enterprise. All donations - very gratefully received - will go towards improving the OtWF programme and the presentation of films at WSC.

Carers' tickets - we offer complimentary tickets to carers of people with disabilities. If you would like to attend the screening along with the person in your care please message  [email protected]  with your request for a ticket. Please note - you are eligible for this offer only if you are accompanied by a paying person with disabilities.