Tímár Péter: Csinibaba (1997)

1962 – the year of the first Ki mit tud? television talent show. At first glance/listen, Péter Tímár’s Csinibaba might be considered a nostalgia film. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Even the director himself was surprised to see his film land a smash hit among the youth of Hungary. He once said that he made the film for members of his own generation, to help them forgive themselves. The song inserts rescored for the present day elevated viewers of the director's age to a vantage point from which the past and their identity appeared different, as did the ideologies they cursed and treasured. Those familiar with Tímár’s films will not be surprised to see that the director has once again developed a new cinematic language that allows viewers to both laugh and cry as they free themselves from the past. At the same time, if we find ourselves humming along to the songs while watching the film, that is perhaps forgivable.