Zoltán Huszárik is one of the great unsung masters of international cinema. With an output that comprised just two features and a handful of remarkable short films, his unique and beautifully realised works set him apart from all other contemporary filmmakers, creating an intoxicating body of work unlike any other in modern cinema.
This special edition box set contains his two features Szindbád and Csontváry, plus five of his acclaimed, rarely seen short works - including his most renowned film poem, Elégia - presented from new 4K restorations and released for the first time ever on Blu-ray.
Szindbád (1971)
Considered a great ‘lost masterpiece’ of international cinema, Szindbád was chosen by Hungarian writers and filmmakers as one of the three best Hungarian films of all time. Based on the stories of surrealist writer Gyula Krúdy, this erotic elegy is a lush and sensuous depiction of the life, loves, and memories of hedonist and serial seducer Szindbád.
Csontváry (1979)
Huszárik's second - and final - feature is a complex and alluring portrait of artist Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, regarded as Hungary's greatest painter, driven to madness by his passion. At once lyrical and surreal, the film is a vivid expression of the artists' impulse to create - and their facility to destroy.
Five short films (1963 - 1976)
A selection of Zoltan Huszárik's renowned short works, including his most famous film poem, Elégia (1965), a veneration of the horse and their service to mankind. The disc also includes Groteszk (1963), Capriccio (1969), Homage to Old Women (Tisztelet az öregasszonyoknak, 1971) and A Piacere (1976).
BLU-RAY 3-DISC LIMITED EDITION BOX-SET CONTENTS
• Szindbád and Csontváry presented from new 4K restorations by the National Film Institute Hungary - Film Archive.
• Elégia, Capriccio, Homage to Old Women and A Piacere short films presented from 4K scans by the National Film Institute Hungary - Film Archive.
• Groteszk presented from an HD transfer by the National Film Institute Hungary - Film Archive.
• Szindbád: An appreciation: Filmmaker Peter Strickland on Huszárik's sumptuous vision.
• Who is Zoltán Huszárik?: Exploring the life and legacy of the great artist.
• The World of Krúdy and Huszárik: On the collaboration between writer Gyula Krúdy and the filmmaker.
• Inside the Popular Science Film Studio: Archival newsreel on the special photographic techniques employed in Szindbád.
• Making ‘Csontváry’: Archival behind-the-scenes newsreel footage, including a rare on-set interview with Huszárik.
• Booklets with writing on the films by producer and Hungarian cinema specialist Michael Brooke.
• New and improved English subtitles.
• World and UK premieres on Blu-ray.
• Region-free Blu-rays (A/B/C).
Technical details:
• Language: Hungarian
• Subtitles: English
• Running times: 96 / 112 / 86 minutes
• Aspect ratios (Features): 1.85:1, 1.66:1
• Aspect ratios (Short films): 1.33:1, 1.66:1, 1.85:1
• Video: BD50 x 2 / BD25 x 1 / 1080p / 24fps
• Audio: 2.0 Dual Mono LPCM / 2.0 Stereo LPCM (48khz/24-bit)
• Discs: 3
• Colour / Black and white
• Region A/B/C (Region Free)