'Kontroll' opens with the director of the Budapest Metro (where most of the film was shot), then states that the film we are about to watch is a work of fiction and that employees of the Metro don't behave as shown. We know we are not in Kansas anymore, Toto. This was Hungary’s answer to the foreign movie category for the 2004 Oscars and what a ride it is.
Dark and deep in the belly of Budapest’s underground we meet our motley crew. They are a mixed bunch that seem lost with the world. They are the controllers, a petty semi-police force of ticket inspectors who face the multitude of characters that flood the underground every day. They are despised, belittled, beaten or even ignored. Almost the lowest of the low, they go about their thankless task in the grime and sweaty basement of filth and steel.
Luc Besson tried something similar in 'Subway' back in 1985, but he only created a background setting for his characters to play out their roles. Here, in Nimrod Antal’s vision, there is a world of pipes, grime, dirt, tunnels and trains that is as alien as the moon.
This film is a glorious journey and very funny too. The acting and directing are great throughout, and the range of oddballs always delights, especially the narcoleptic Lecsó (Sándor Badár) and the mysterious bear dressed Szofi (Eszter Balla). The camerawork gels the film as a dreamy whole. As said above, these simple tunnels seem transposed into some wonderful alien-like landscape. We have all awaited a train to take us to our destination, but this is like a purgatory filled with lost souls, wandering aimlessly until death comes along or we hope for some angel and redemption.
'Kontroll' is out to own now in the UK and available via
Amazon UK and as and as of yet has no date for release for this version in the US.
You can read more about the DVD in our database .
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