Angi Vera is a strikingly beautiful 18-year-old assistant nurse living in postwar Hungary. When she speaks out publicly about problems at her hospital, she’s not condemned by the new communist regime — she’s earmarked for big things. Sent to a party training school in a rural town, she must debate the nation’s new philosophies with other “chosen” pupils.
Director: Pál Gábor.
Writers: Pál Gábor, Endre Vészi.
Stars: Vera Pap, Erzsi Pásztor, Éva Szabó, Tamás Dunai, László Halász, László Horváth.
Cinematographer: Lajos Koltai.
Composer: György Selmeczi.
1979 Chicago International Film Festival – Winner of the Gold Hugo.
Been looking for this one. Many thanks, Jon!
Many many thanks for this one Jon.
For 47 years I’ve thought that this was the most profound movie I’ve ever seen, and seeing it again after all these years confirms my past judgement. The two moments I’ll never forget are the look on Angi Vera’s face at the self-criticism meeting when she realizes where she is and that her entire future hinges on her response, along with the heartbreaking sight of Maria Moskat struggling up the rutted hill on her bicycle with her luggage. But Hungary managed to survive 41 years of Communism, and after last Sunday’s election with luck it’ll survive the neo-fascist rule of Viktor Orban. Hungarians really do deserve a break.
In the realm of totalitarian related media Angi Vera ranks with Darkness at Noon 1984. I’ll be eternally grateful to this website for providing us with this fine subtitled print.