Hungarian Panorama Program

14th Verzio Human Rights Film Festival's Hungarian Panorama consists of 12 films that tell the stories of Kanzoli and the Polgár sisters, emigrants leaving the country or returning home, filmmaker Judit Ember, the yellow-star houses, fighting extreme poverty with fairy tale therapy and music.

The 14th Verzio Human Rights Film Festival kicks off on 14 November, and features 12 Hungarian documentaries. Kanzoli tells of the amazing struggles an assistant working on Szabolcs Hajdu's film, Mirage, as he tries to find and bring Kanzoli, an amateur actor, to the filming set. The Polgár Variant (Yossi Aviram) is about one father’s controversial experiment to train his three daughters to become chess grandmasters. Burdened by the Past (Dér Asia) depicts an exciting but precise portrait of Judit Ember, filmmaker and sociologist, who was truly sensitive of human suffering and would go to extremes to finish what she started. In Mother's Imprint (Oláh Kata), an investigation into family secrets takes us to an old house once marked with a yellow star, meaning Jews only. How could a 4-year-old child who lived there survive the horrors of the holocaust?

Whether to stay in Hungary or try one’s luck abroad is still one of the most pressing dilemmas for Hungarian youth. Schrott(Mészáros Balázs) tells the story of Bence and Ádám, two young Hungarians in Munich, hopelessly and pointlessly looking for direction; a condition so typical for their entire generation. The series LEAVE/STAY also deals with the problem of emigration. The most recent episode, Sweet Home (Imre Loránd Balázs, Tusor Bálint, Józsa László) follows three families who have decided to return to Hungary after several years of living abroad.

Even from the most depressing and inhumane conditions there can be a way out. Brass Bandits (Surányi Z. András) takes us to a primary school in the city of Miskolc where children living in deep poverty are taught to play brass instruments. Learning music gives them discipline, concentration, teaches them cooperation and gives them the joy of making music with others, as well as a sense of achievement. All of which are essential for their success at school. The actress Karina Kecskés makes a fairy tale camp for Csango children. Clothes and food are not the only thing these children in need receive from the camp: they are also told that they are smart, lovable and that they can cope with all the challenges awaiting them. Anything Can Make Me Richer (Mészáros Márta and Pataki Éva) is the story of this mission.

Without help and support the struggles of life can be overwhelming. Lili (Regős Ábel), follows one girls as she leaves state care at the age of 18 and enters the real world all alone. Iza (Pápai Áron Gergely) lives on the outskirts of Miskolc. She suffers physical violence, deep poverty and illness, and can't help but wonder: Can someone really change? Does she have a chance for a better life? How long can she endure being alone?

Iborfia (Bakony Alexa) paints a grim picture of Hungary's moral condition through the results of the Hungarian referendum on immigration in the smallest village of Hungary. No Country for the Poor (Bihari László) introduces us to the struggles of an organization for the rights of homeless people. These brave activists — both homeless and middle class — are fighting against homelessness and deprivation, and for democracy, solidarity and dignity.