...and they took over power
Hungarian newsreel, documentary and short films 1945—1949
In the history of Hungarian filmmaking, the years between 1945 and 1948 are a transitional period. Though the technical requirements of production were controlled by the state, the various political parties established their own studios. The Peasant Party owned Sarlófilm, Orient Filmipari Rt belonged the Social Democratic Party , the Independent Small Holders' Party had Kimart while the Communist Party and the Council of Trade Unions set up Magyar Filmiroda (Mafir). The compilation of propaganda and documentary films made in this period offers an opportunity to revisit the ideology and power ambitions of the various political parties of the era, and also presents a sample of the campaign films in the general elections in 1945 and 1947. These rarely screened films evoke an exciting yet almost forgotten era. Introduction by film historian Balázs Varga before screenings.
Vera Surányi
curator of the Retrospective Program