World War II, occupied Soviet Union. As a member of the Axis Powers, Hungary aids the Germany army in their campaign in the Soviet Union. A Hungarian farmer named István Semetka is drafted into the army, and serves as a Caporal in a special unit scouting for partisan groups. On their way to a remote village, his company falls under enemy fire, and the commander is killed. It is then left to Semetka to take commend of the unit overcome with uncontrollable fear and madness. Director Dénes Nagy based the script on the eponymous novel by the Hungarian writer Pál Závada. How do men become instruments of violence? What choices do people make along the way? Are humans bound to becomes victims of a huge system? The film asks some significant questions to those of us facing crossroads every day, albeit far removed from dire circumstances of war.

2021 Berlin International Film Festival (상)

Dénes NAGY

Dénes Nagy graduated from the University of Theatre and Film Arts of Budapest. His short fiction was premiered at the 45th Directors’ Fortnight in 2013. His documentary had its premiere at the 43rd IFF Rotterdam, while his latest documentary at the Documentary Competition of the 21st Sarajevo Film Festival.