Young teacher Juci attempts to challenge the outdated methods in her school, while new student Palkó, recently relocated from abroad, struggles to adapt to the demanding educational system. Their personal stories offer insight into an oppressive system, reflecting the broader Hungarian society.
Director's Statement As a child returning to Hungary from America, I vividly felt the contrast between the two educational systems. Ever since, I became deeply interested in how education shapes society. Today, the Hungarian education system faces a dire crisis: teachers' salaries are dropping towards the minimum wage, leading to a severe shortage of educators. Furthermore, new government legislation prohibits teachers from striking, and those who voice their concern face termination. The educational framework lags decades behind European standards, stifling creativity and rewarding silence. In these challenging times, the impact of learned behavior on society is crystal clear. Oppression breeds fear and inertia; if we're conditioned to remain silent, self-censorship becomes second nature, snuffing out the possibility of change. Since this phenomenon extends beyond education, and permeates other aspects of public life, I felt compelled to shine a light on the issue, confronting individuals with the psychology of self-censorship. To convey this message, I chose to tell the story through two characters, both outsiders navigating a strange new world, offering viewers a fresh perspective on everyday life. Juci, an aspiring teacher, and Palkó, who recently moved back home from Germany with his family, have their stories intertwine when Palkó gets into trouble for a childish prank and Juci is the only one who attempts to help. The complications they encounter while simply trying to do the right thing provide insight into the mentality of this new environment, as well as the prevailing mindset of those around them, reflecting broader Hungarian society. Embracing a hyper realistic approach was essential to authentically capture our characters' reality. Viewers are invited to observe the characters up close, akin to subjects in a nature documentary, experiencing their journey in a profoundly human manner. I employed a unique improvisational method with the characters to evoke genuine and realistic reactions. Because of our chosen topic, we were well aware that politically-aligned state funding would reject our project. However, with the help of eight local production companies and a devoted crew, we were able to realize the project as a micro-budget feature. I crafted a script tailored for a one-location film and got to work with frequent collaborators, first and foremost cinematographer Marcell Rév, with whom I have collaborated on most of my projects since film school.
