Opening Day: 27 June 2008

Synopsis:

Karcsi (Fenyö) is the star player of Hungary's water polo team, in trouble for reacting to the cheating Russian opponents. Of course, the Soviets are occupying Hungary while their secret police AVO terrorises the population. Spurred by his angry grandfather (Jordán) and the feisty-sexy student Viki (Dobó), Karcsi joins the resistance. But his buddy Tibi (Csányi) is afraid to leave the safety of the team. And as the Russians crack down horrifically on the protests, they realise that representing their country at the Melbourne Olympics might be a good place to take a stand on the world stage.

Movie Review:

History, war, drama, romance: the perfect combination for a solid production to appeal to the masses. What’s more, strappingly good looking water polo players and feisty gung ho female freedom fighters: what’s there not to like about this Hungarian production? Besides, how often do we get to see Hungarian movies here in Singapore? Along the way, we even get to learn an episode of Hungarian history we never knew about.

Based on true events, the film recounts the two viciously aggressive water polo matches between the USSR and Hungary. In Moscow in 1955, the two teams first met for an ugly showdown. The second time one year later, the two teams met again at the Melbourne Olympics. Between these two events, there was a bigger picture of social and political unrest as the tension rose between the two countries, due to the brutal Soviet suppression of the revolutionary Hungarians.

The interesting thing about this film directed by Krisztina Goda is how it associates sports with violence and war, especially when the Olympics celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and the true glory of sports. Viewers will appreciate the larger arena of the political situation during that period of time, thanks to the accessibility of the 123 minute film. There are clearly defined characters: Who can miss the valiant hero torn between the love for his favorite sport and the love of his life? Who can miss the idealistic heroine who would sacrifice herself in the name of glory? Who can miss the pudgy sports coach with a tragic past? And who can miss the advice spouting grandparent who sits in his old chair and dishes words of wisdom?

Another reason why this film works is its visual representation of 1950s Budapest, where the film takes place. You’ll be left impressed with the massive Soviet tanks, the spirited revolutionary freedom fighters, the authentic street architecture and the intricate interior art design of the houses. Even the Olympics pools which mark the opening and the finale of the movie look are created triumphantly and magnificently.

The capable cast of the movie delivers convincing performances: the charismatic Iván Fenyö is the protagonist who has to choose between glory and loyalty, the captivating Kata Dobó plays his revolutionary girlfriend who finds time to love both her man and her country, the steady Sándor Csányi is the good friend and teammate caught in the pressures of war, and the robust Károly Gesztesi plays the supportive coach who believes in bringing glory to the country by winning the match. These names and faces may not ring a bell to you, but the fine acting by them will not go unnoticed.

Despite the sometimes dragging pace of the movie (everything is quite predictable here; actually), you’ll still be kept at the edge of your seats by the well edited scenes. You can sense the anxieties during the scenes where the freedom fighters go all out to battle for their country. You can feel the adrenaline rush during the scenes where the water polo teams get bloody over a ball in the pool.

And when you remember that in history, there was a loss of over 5000 Hungarian lives and some 200,000 escaping to the west, you’ll realize that war is something we definitely do not want in our lifetime.

Movie Rating:

(An accessible history lesson well worth your time)

Review by John Li