The 20th Filmtettfeszt Transylvanian Hungarian Film Days started off with audience members made of cardboard, social distancing and hand sanitizers.
It was clear from the image of the people crowding at the entrance of Győzelem/Victoria cinema that this year’s festival would be a bit different from those of previous years: Most people were wearing masks, and entry into the cinema was slow, via single file and with each person having to stop to have their temperature taken and sanitize their hands. The spectators, who haven’t been inside a movie theater since March, faced some novelties inside as well. Cardboard figures were “sitting” (pasted to the back of the chair) in every second seat to prevent audience members from being too close to each other.
The hosts, Tünde Buryán and Csaba Marosán, reminded the audience to follow the mandatory hygiene and social-distancing rules. Organizer Bálint Zágoni presented the dilemmas his team had faced due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he expressed his faith that they had made the proper decisions and that the public – given the circumstances – would be able to appropriately celebrate the 20th edition of the festival. As it turned out, the festival is “hybrid” this year not only because there are outdoor as well as indoor screenings, but also because there will be online screenings starting on Friday as well.
Klára Buzogány discussed the program, including feature films of different genres from directors who have returned to Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca. For example, the creative team, consisting of Attila Szász and Norbert Köbli, will join with their movie Tall Tales, and Szabolcs Hajdu with Peace Time, which was partially shot in Kolozsvár. There will also be a screening of The Prisoners, the first feature film by Oscar-winner Kristóf Deák. Buzogány added that there will be fewer short films this year, but the organizers have put together a solid program, including two particularly interesting movies: Ghost Train and Photography. She also added that it is almost surreal to see the cinema “full” and reminded the spectators to respect the compulsory social distancing.
Screenings of the festival in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca will take place in Győzlem/Victoria cinema and the inner courtyard of Bánffy Palace. There is also a competition section of the festival, called Filmgalopp, which seeks out young Hungarian filmmakers in Transylvania. The main prize of the contest is of HUF 1 million (~EUR 2,900).
The festival is taking place in 15 Transylvanian cities this year, in collaboration with local partners. The cities hosting the event are the following: Nagyvárad/Oradea, Csíkszereda/Miercurea Ciuc, Székelyudvarhely/Odorheiu Secuiesc, Sepsiszentgyörgy/Sfântu Gheorghe, Kovászna/Covasna, Kézdivásárhely/Târgu Secuiesc, Gyergyószentmiklós/Gheorgheni, Arad, Temesvár/Timișoara, Szamosújvár/Gherla, Nagyszalonta/Salonta, Nagyszeben/Sibiu, Brassó/Brașov and Nagykároly/Carei.
The complete program can be found at filmtettfeszt.ro. The screenings are free, but online registration is required, and those attending must wear a mask for the duration of the film.
Featured photo: Cardboard figures in the cinema. (courtesy of Filmtettfeszt)
