Gabor Reisz was celebrating his film’s premier at Cinefest in Miskolc when he learned that next morning he should return to Venice for the awards ceremony. So please excuse the crumpled shirt, the casual jacket, the grey pants, the red shoes and the shock on his face when Orizzonti jury president Jonas Carpignano announced that his movie, Explanation for Everything won the section’s Best Picture award.
Accepting the Lion, Reisz was so moved that he could hardly find words. Then he broke into Hungarian, a language only understood by his producer, Juli Berkes, who accompanied him to the event, and the only Hungarian journalist in the press room who stayed for the night.
Having expressed his gratitude to the jury, the festival, his financiers and his producer, he said: “I would like to thank those who supported us. Winning an acknowledgement from the international community means the world to us, especially now more than ever. As you know independent filmmakers and projects are facing real difficulties in Hungary. Therefore I ask you if I may, please follow Hungarian talents and help their way and give them attention. Being present and supported internationally is vital for us now.” And he added in Hungarian his thanks to the crew, his love for his friends and family and that the movie will open wide in Hungary on October 5. Finally, he said, he would like to have a real conversation until “we have people to converse with”.
Just a few minutes later Reisz gave us a chance in the press room to ask to introduce those difficulties and talk about the lack of official support, including the fact that Hungary entered another film for the Academy Awards just the day before Explanation for Everything won Best Picture in Venice. Could that course be reversed?
G. Reisz: “Let me start answering the second question first. I think it’s a done deal now that another film, “The Four Souls of Coyote” will go to the Academy Awards. But tonight, I still cannot believe what’s happening with me and our crew because I have to tell that I’m not alone. The crew did a beautiful job. It’s not your regular movie. We shot it in 20 days with 17 people, and it was an incredible shoot. We were really fast and I loved doing it, the most memorable shoot in my life. And to your first question. Honestly, I didn’t know too much about politics. I think the National Film Fund is not against us, they just rejected it. This movie is about how important communication is. And it could also be a message to the Film Fund that they should start communication because we will do a lot of beautiful, independent movies, like me. Not just me, but my film director friends too.”
Its Oscar chances may sadly be nixed, but the Venice 80’s Orizzonti winner “Explanation” hopefully will find US distribution soon, and will enter the awards season with consideration for the Golden Globes.
