Hungary is a nation with a proud history of producing a rich and diverse range of cinema. The turbulent nature of the country’s social and political struggles has been reflected in its filmmaking, with the likes of István Szabó, Miklós Jancsó or Béla Tarr leading the way. However, since the foundation of the National Film Fund in 2011, we have seen something of a golden age. The likes of On Body and Soul, Sunset, Jupiter’s Moon, Son of Saul and White God have wowed at international festivals and beyond. Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time is another fine example.
After an absence of twenty years, Márta (Natasa Stork) returns to Budapest. She has been living and working in New Jersey until she met a fellow Hungarian, János Drexler (Viktor Bodó) at a medical conference. They agree to meet-up at the Liberty Bridge one month later. The Neurologist quits her job and gives everything up as she believes this is the one. When he doesn’t show, she’s perplexed. When she confronts him, he claims not to recognise her.
Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time plays with truth, imagination and obsession to create a masterful mystery. Natasa Stork is electrifying as the determined Márta. it’s hard to take your eyes off of her. Lili Horvát spins her tale in a number of directions, riffing off the early work of Krzysztof Kieślowski. Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time is an enigmatic and deft piece of filmmaking.
Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time screens at Glasgow Film Festival.
