Judit Biró

모두가 서구로 망명하던 60년대 중반, 미키는 부모님을 따라 공산주의 국가 헝가리로 돌아온다. 미국의 자유로운 문화에 적응해있던 미키에게 독재국가의 삶은 너무나 고달프다. 어릴 적 친구들은 미키의 화려한 의상과 미국식 발음, 버디 홀리 레코드에 어색해 하기만 하고, 미키의 첫사랑은 그에게 냉담하기만 할 뿐이다. 동네의 터프가이 로네는 미키의 로큰롤 도전에 눈도 꿈쩍하지 않는다. 설상가상으로 미키의 음탕한 음악이 십대 소녀들에게 어필하게 되자 당국은 아버지를 직장에서 해고하려 한다. 이제 공산주의 사회의 규칙을 따라야만 하는 상황. 그러나 이를 돌파하기 위해 미키는 지역의 장기자랑에 나가기로 결심한다.

The seeming hopelessness of combatting an all-powerful government that will not tolerate political dissension is the focus of this excellent historical drama set in the mid-19th century in Hungary. In the opening scenes, Hungary has just lost its bid for independence from Austria and a Magyar officer, unable to bear the tragedy of defeat and what it means, says an affectionate good-bye to his beloved horse and then shoots the animal and himself. Two years later, Ferenc (Gyorgy Cserhalmi) is trying to eke out a living for his wife and her family -- and at the same time avoid any hint of sympathy for Hungarian independence because the Secret Police are everywhere. Just as life seems to be going well, Ferenc's former commanding officer (Lajos Oze) arrives and begins discussing revolution again -- a futile pursuit at this point in time. The next day, Ferenc is thrown into an insane asylum and everyone else is arrested as well.

Three generations live side by side. The wilful, jack-in-all-pots grandmother blackmails the family with fake faintings, while grandpa suffers from cerebral sclerosis. Mother manages a fashionable hotel, she needs to look smart and unyielding, even when their weird uncle drives into the restaurant drunk. Father is an introverted, solitary teacher, who from time to time turns the home inside out in pursuit of his hobby, i.e. topography, and his mental balance. Suddenly unexpected things come to light about their teen-age daughter, Juli.