Ottó Bánovits’s internationally acclaimed short film deals with domestic violence in a strange, but exceptional way.
A Hungarian short film is among the entries for the 25th Rhode Island International Film Festival. The American festival, held in August, is Oscar-qualifying – meaning that its winners can automatically be nominated for The Academy’s next award ceremony.
The short film of director Ottó Bánovits “Stifled” (Légszomj) focuses on an important social phenomenon: domestic violence. The movie tells the story of Anna (played by Klára Tolnai) who, after her father’s death, returns to the island where she grew up. As she goes deeper into the island, her childhood memories began to surface – everything she has tried to hold back all these years comes alive, giving one more chance to reflect on and change her old habits.
The movie seems to be quite popular in the festival season: Bánovits has won the award for best director at the Asti International Film Festival and best drama category at the Canadian Cinematography Awards, not to mention the several nominations on various Hungarian and European festivals.
