Mindenki

In this list I usually review feature length movies, that is films with a duration of at least one hour. Exceptions to this rule are relatively rare. Examples are "The bespoke overcoat" (1955, Jack Clayton) and "Vincent" (1982, Tim Burton).

The Hungarian short "Sing" is another exception. Apart from being short (25 minutes) it is also meant as a children's movie. This is however not to be taken very literally. I saw the film from 22:15 - 22:40 PM, not children's prime time.

The film is about a girl that has recently moved to a new elementary school . She is somewhat uncertain and to make friends she joints the school choir.

I will not further elaborate on the plot. Let is suffice that the plot contains some ethical choices (to be honest versus to be successful) and some life experiences (best intentions causing serious (psychological) injuries. Both are viewed from the perspective of both children and adults.

In 2017 the film rightly won an Oscar in the category Best Live Action Short film.

This beautiful short film has it ALL--a child's point of view, gorgeous music, great cinematography, brilliant and beautiful actors and a surprise ending. It is like reading a short story by O. Henry and watching all the characters unfold while feeling great attachment for some and disdain for others. I have never seen a Hungarian film prior to this one and "Mindenki aka Sing" was certainly a wonderful introduction. It is a film that I'd be willing to watch again and that everyone should experience at least once.

Mindenki transports us to a strict girl's school in Hungary, where our newcomer protagonist tries out for the renowned choir. Only there's a catch, and the reason she ends up making the list turns out to be a bit disturbing. To say more would be to spoil the story.

Like all art-forms, cinema has its fair share of "golden rules" aimed at steering filmmakers clear of potentially catastrophic mistakes: don't shoot at sea, don't use animals, don't use children... The secret being that if you can transcend the challenges each rule poses, you can make a film that is pure magic. Director Kristof Deak's cast is almost exclusively comprised of 10-11 year-old girls, and he plays them like an elite orchestra. Because the performances are so pure and natural, the storytelling so liquid, this comes across as effortless filmmaking, when in fact it pulls off some of the craft's most daunting challenges.

It will be very interesting to see what Deak and co do next, especially after whatever happens on Oscar Night where, if there is any justice, this little gem will walk away with a little golden statue.

When young "Zsofi" (Karádi Borbála) arrives at her new school, her one wish is to join it's choir. She befriends it's star singer "Liza" (Hais Dorottya) and goes to a rehearsal. It's after this that she is told by the teacher "Miss Erika" (Szamosi Zsófia) that in future it's best that she just mime along to the songs - she's not yet good enough to actually sing! Disconsolate, her friend soon realise that there is something amiss and after a few days of persistence finally finds out. At the next practise session the young "Liza" notices a little more than she is supposed to and with the competition looming, the choir decide it's time to make their presence felt. The acting from the girls and their teacher is engaging, and I did like the ending - it works really quite well in this charming and enjoyable story of teamwork with just a tiny hint of revenge!

This was a charming piece overall. The young girls gave exceptional performances and the writing did exemplify competence in film storytelling. All of the moments worked except for what happens in the end. Inventive way of dealing with the problem of exclusion but it sends the message that everyone should be accepted. For example, a basketball team would now have to accept anyone who goes out for the team and let them play merely because they show up. Forget whether they can play or not, like it used to be, they just have to show up. This is pretty much what the film is telling us and when you see it you will know what I mean.