Kísértések
Hungary
Synopsis
Anna brings up her son Marci on her own. Everyone predicts a great future for him, but he isn't interested in his career. He is desperate to find his unknown father and his place in the world.
What sort of life should he lead? Should he relax in Anna's loving devotion? Should he give in to the lure of Elvira, who shows him the sensual side of life? Should he be a criminal, breaking codes at banks? Should he follow the example of his father Tibor? Should he be an alcoholic, a wasted talent who has preserved his sense of freedom, but has never achieved anything?
Or should he find himself in the love of the ten- year- old gypsy girl with mysterious talent, Juli? Will the unselfish, deep and pure feelings of this girl resolve his life?
Juli accepts with unquestionable devotion and humility that she belongs to Marci - however, he is incapable of identifying with this archaic role and this proves to be fatal...
Director's Biography
Zoltän Kamondi was born in 1960 in Budapest. After finishing his studies at the Arts Faculty of Budapest University, he went on to get a degree in film directing at the Academy of Theatre and Film, where he graduated in 1988. He has won many awards with his short films at festivals. His greatest success was his examination film KIKI AND THE MALES.
In 1989 he worked as a war-correspondent for Japanese and French televisions and Radio Free Europe during the Romanian revolution. At the same time, he worked together with film director Károly Makk as script writer and co-director.
In 1990 he made his first feature film PATHS OF DEATH AND ANGELS which was screened in Cannes (Selection Officielle "Un Certain Regard") and was invited to a number of important festivals. The film told its story through the dreams of the three main characters.
In 1992 he started to work in theatre. With the performance CRIMES OF THE HEART, staged in 1993, he became a highly acclaimed theatre director in Hungary. In this performance he converted cinematic language into a theatrical one.
In 1993 he began shooting THE HUNGARMN SPECKLED VARIETY, a documentary series. Critics considered the series one of the most important documentaries of the years since the political changes.
In 1996 he founded his own experimental theatre company called ROLLING CULT MOTEL. He initiated the performance series TOUCHING FACH OTHER which had been playing for four years and was very well received both by the profession and the audience.
In 1996 he started work on THE GOLDEN DECK-CHAIR searching for new ways of expression in television.
In 1998, having staged a production of CANDIDE, he resigned as artistic director of Rolling Cult Motel and stopped dealing with theatre. Since then he has focused entirely on cinema.
The following year he completed his second feature film, the award-winning THE ALCHEMIST AND THE VIRGIN, and launched his new project, TEMPTATIONS, his third feature.
In 2001 he completed a 24-hour long portrait film on György Petri, one of the greatest Hungarian poets, just before his death. In the same year the successful ROADS IN FURUGY was released as the eleventh part of the Hungarian Speckled Variety series.
After three years' work TEMPTATIONS was finished in 2002. In this particular film he wanted to unify his theatrical, documentary and cinematic experiences and thoughts.
In 1989 he worked as a war-correspondent for Japanese and French televisions and Radio Free Europe during the Romanian revolution. At the same time, he worked together with film director Károly Makk as script writer and co-director.
In 1990 he made his first feature film PATHS OF DEATH AND ANGELS which was screened in Cannes (Selection Officielle "Un Certain Regard") and was invited to a number of important festivals. The film told its story through the dreams of the three main characters.
In 1992 he started to work in theatre. With the performance CRIMES OF THE HEART, staged in 1993, he became a highly acclaimed theatre director in Hungary. In this performance he converted cinematic language into a theatrical one.
In 1993 he began shooting THE HUNGARMN SPECKLED VARIETY, a documentary series. Critics considered the series one of the most important documentaries of the years since the political changes.
In 1996 he founded his own experimental theatre company called ROLLING CULT MOTEL. He initiated the performance series TOUCHING FACH OTHER which had been playing for four years and was very well received both by the profession and the audience.
In 1996 he started work on THE GOLDEN DECK-CHAIR searching for new ways of expression in television.
In 1998, having staged a production of CANDIDE, he resigned as artistic director of Rolling Cult Motel and stopped dealing with theatre. Since then he has focused entirely on cinema.
The following year he completed his second feature film, the award-winning THE ALCHEMIST AND THE VIRGIN, and launched his new project, TEMPTATIONS, his third feature.
In 2001 he completed a 24-hour long portrait film on György Petri, one of the greatest Hungarian poets, just before his death. In the same year the successful ROADS IN FURUGY was released as the eleventh part of the Hungarian Speckled Variety series.
After three years' work TEMPTATIONS was finished in 2002. In this particular film he wanted to unify his theatrical, documentary and cinematic experiences and thoughts.
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Zoltàn Kamondi
Written by: Zoltàn Kamondi
Produced by: Geörgy Budai
Cinematography: Gábor Medvigy
Editing: Zsuzsa Pósán
Production Design: Geörgy Árvai, Gábor Valcz
Costume Design: János Breckl
Original Score: László Melis
Cast: Marcell Miklos, Julianna Kovács, Juli Basti, Kati Budai, János Derzsi, Zoltán Seress
Nominations and Awards
- Feature Film Selection 2002
