The ELTE–NFI University Film Club continues the series of screenings and discussions. We welcome university citizens from all faculties of ELTE.
In the first feature film adaptation of Ferenc Erkel's opera, the roles are played by some of the greatest European and world-famous Hungarian opera stars of our time, mostly in original locations. The film's director and Oscar-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond found a common denominator for the romantic opera and the medieval atmosphere in 19th century historical painting, from which they drew for the film's visual language. The filmmakers only made the necessary dramaturgical changes to the familiar, classical story. The film won the Tony Curtis Award of the Hungarian Consulate General in Los Angeles at the 2011 Los Angeles Hungarian Film Festival. Directed by Csaba Káel, The Bánk bán becomes a thrilling and captivating story, accompanied by the catchy music of Ferenc Erkel.
Set in 1213, the story, written by József Katona, features Queen Gertrude's Meran compatriots dormancy in the royal castle. The unpeaceful Hungarian nobles are watching the dárido from the sidelines, and under the leadership of King Petur they are plotting. Their anger is only increased by the fact that while the king's viceroy, Bánk bán, who is fighting in the distance, is roaming the country, his wife, the beautiful Melinda, who has been left at court, is being besieged more and more openly by the queen's lecherous brother Otto. Petur secretly recalls Bánko, who, however, accuses the unpeaceful of treason. But Otto's confidant, the knight Biberach, tells Banach that the prince is trying to seduce Melinda. Otto, encouraged by the Queen, prepares to make a decisive attack.
He pursues his lover Melinda in the castle's cloisters and chapel, and she rejects him contemptuously, but is nevertheless in a misunderstood position. Bánk, who has just seen them, is shocked: it seems that his adoring spouse is indeed unfaithful...
Date: 14 May 2025, 18.00
Venue: ELTE University Library and Archives (1053 Budapest, Ferenciek tere 6, community space from the lobby, ground floor)
Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu1eQt_Z-t8
Starring Attila B. Kiss, Éva Marton, Andrea Rost, Dénes Gulyás
Our guest in the post-screening discussion are Ferenc László, music critic and cultural historian, as well as Ildikó Sirató, a theatre and literature historian and associate professor at the Hungarian University of Dance Arts.
Registration is possible at the following link:
https://ajk.elte.hu/content/bank-ban-kael-csaba-filmje-2002.e.1856
Correspondence about the film club is welcome via eltenfi.filmklub@elte.hu.
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