Viharsarok

This is an indy european film so I predicted it would probably either suck or I would probably just not understand it but I was extremely wrong. "Land of Storms" is a very powerful movie without even doing much. There's barely any dialoge and the action is reduced to the minimum, yet it doesn't feel dull or boring at all. In fact it got my attention from start to finish. The ending was very Shakespearean! All in all, I will definetly recommend this movie as it's based on a true story and you see how cruel the world actually is and how love sometimes is destined to die in it.

A very good movie concept with very beautiful picture of a Hungarian gay themed movie. It deals as well with violence and shows the religious side and portrays homophobia as true as possible. A very beautiful and very realistic depiction of a love triangle. I enjoyed it only from the start until about 1 hour 32 minutes. The motive is a bit hard to believe and a bit far from the trigger. In order to leave the impression that killing a homosexual is justified by religion, I guess. It's sad that the director chose to play it safe so that it could be released in his own country (even if it had to fall into the horror category).

Overall it's a good movie with a few trigger warning, and at least Bernard's character made the right choice to get out of there.

Beautifully shot with sparse dialogue and apparently based on a true story, it's a great film as long as you're ok without a happy ending.

Taking place in a small village in Hungary, there's some homophobia which could be triggering but then again that's the world we live in. It might not be pretty but life isn't always.

This isn't an American film so don't watch it if you're expecting one. Shots are long and there can be stretches where not much is said but the actors do a commendable job regardless. I would give it 7/10 but I had to deduct one for the ending. It was literally jaw dropping and left me feeling a let down. That being said, if you don't mind dark endings, then it's definitely worth a watch.

Szabolcs (András Sütö) plays in a German football team, as does Bernard (Sebastian Urzendowsky). A lost match and an ugly confrontation leads Szabolcs to reconsider his life. He goes back to Hungary for simplicity & to build up an inherited broke down house and to bask in his newly found solitude. He meets Aron, a local who welcomes him by stealing his motorcycle. In a odd turn of events, Szabolc hires Aron (Ádám Varga) to help him rebuild his property. A mutual attraction develops to the detriment of Szabolcs, as Aron's mother and local mates disapprove of their relationship. Violence ensues for both. A sexual friendship of the same sex attraction breeds contempt with the towns people, as Aron's dependent mother denounces her son's lifestyle to the local bullies in an attempt to "correct" his behavior. A confused yet curious Aron expresses his affection for Szabolc with a mix bag of emotions and several eruptive confrontations that will ultimately lead to a very shocking and disturbing finale.

This Hungarian/German co-production may very well be reflective, and a testament of the the state of affairs and societal hostilities that still remain in place in a few rural towns within eastern Europe where the enabling, persecution & disdain for same sex couples seems to remain latent. This mentality shepherded by religious intolerance is what leads the violence and the hostile living conditions for anyone not subscribed to the few who have self appointed themselves as the enforcers of the town's moral code of conduct.

Hungarian director Adam Csaczi's unveiling of the story with its sweeping cinematography, superb direction and acting is poetic, lyrical and subtly mesmerizing.

The fact that it's based on a true story shows in the authenticity of the film and a storyline that doesn't fit a straight line narrative and Andras Suto's performance is so strong and the process of discovery is tangible. The emotional depth of the film is less about discovery of sexuality and more about discoveries of oneself and how shame and pressure to conform also clouds the discovery process. That is the best part of the film, it's not about sex, but about what sexuality is and if the characters can embrace that especially given the circumstances. The ending of the film feels abrupt, but the story is far from a conclusion. That's what makes it really satisfying because it leaves self discovery to continue and sometimes it's a long journey of hatred and shame and maybe you never figure it out. It's a powerful story with great performances.