Synopsis
A Fascinating and Mysterious Story
We gladly present the film “Katalin Varga”, signed by Peter Strickland. The main roles were played by the actors Hilda Péter and Norbert Tankó.
Directed by: Peter Strickland
Script: Peter Strickland
Cast: Hilda Péter, Norbert Tankó, Tibor Pálffy, Melinda Kántor, Sebastian Marina, Roberto Giacomello, László Mátray
Producer: Libra Film Productions, Peter Strickland, Tudor Giurgiu, Oana Giurgiu
Cinematography: Márk Györi
Edited by: Mátyás Fekete
Sound: György Kovács, Gábor Erdélyi, Tamás Székely
Editing: Ioachim Stroe
Music: Steven Stapleton, Geoff Cox
Year: 2009
Category: feature film
Genre: drama
Duration: 84 minutes
577,677 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
In the beautiful, otherworldly Carpathian Mountains a woman is traveling with a small boy, looking to punish those who once abused her.
More details …
Antal Borlan’s loving wife never suspected that her devoted and kind husband would be responsible for a past atrocity. Antal believes he has God’s forgiveness and that his enduring marriage is testament to his redemption. An avenging angel by the name of Katalin Varga scales the Carpathian Mountains by horse and is in possession of the one thing that can redefine Antal’s notion of redemption. Yet Katalin cannot fully comprehend the notion of vengeance until the devastating trail she leaves behind in her search for Antal finally catches up with her.
What critics say:
Rural tragedy with an undertow of film noir, Katalin Varga is a woman-on-a-mission story about how violence breeds violence. With an intriguingly old-fashioned feel, this resembles a Romanian film of a bygone era but it is the debut feature of expat British director Peter Strickland. The brooding, atmospheric feature uses its low-budget restraints to impressive effect and boasts an intense, contained performance by female lead Hilda Peter. The film should put both her and Strickland on the map, and export prospects should be healthy within a distinctly niche milieu. (Jonathan Romney, screendaily.com)
Festivals/Awards:
- Silver Bear Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution, Berlinale, 2009
- “European Discovery of the Year” at the European Film Awards, 2009
- Most Promising Newcomer (Hilda Péter) and Best Achievement in Production, Douglas Hickox Award, British Independent Film Awards, UK, 2009
- New Talent Grand PIX – CPH: PIX, Denmark, 2009
- Best Actress Award (Hilda Péter), Brussels European Film Festival, 2009
- Best Actress Award (Hilda Péter), Romanian Union of Filmmakers, 2009
- Best Actress Award (Hilda Péter), Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, 2009
- Best Narrative Feature (Peter Strickland), RiverRun International Film Festival, 2010
- Gopo Award for Best Supporting Actress (Hilda Péter), 2010
- Nomination, Best Feature Film, Gopo Awards, 2010
- Nomination, Best Supporting Actor (Tibor Pálffy), Gopo Awards, 2010
- Nomination, Best Cinematography (Márk Györi), Gopo Awards, 2010
- Nomination, Best Editing (Mátyás Fekete), Gopo Awards, 2010
- Nomination, Best Sound (György Kovács, Gábor Erdélyi and Tamás Székely), Gopo Awards, 2010
- Nomination, Best Music (Steven Stapleton and Geoff Cox), Gopo Awards, 2010
Articles:
- Katalin Varga, by Peter Bradshaw: theguardian.com
- Katalin Varga, by Peter Brunette: hollywoodreporter.com
- Transnational Crossroads. Peter Strickland’s Katalin Varga (2009), by Ana Ribeiro: eefb.org
- Katalin Varga, by Jonathan Romney: screendaily.com
- Katalin Varga, by Jonathan Romney: independent.co.uk
