User reviews

KONTROLL is a Hungarian film from director Nimród Antal. Yes, that's really his name. The first thing he did when he introduced the film was make fun of the fact that he was called Nimrod, which is great.

The film is about a group of ticket inspectors in the Hungarian subway system, with the focus on at least one in particular (Bulcsú). Each character is extremely likable, even the passengers become memorable characters, as none of them buy a ticket and are chased or shaken down by the inspectors, which is commonplace in Hungary. There is even a young girl in a bear suit (don't ask) that is absolutely gorgeous. The interaction between her and Bulcsú is sweet and funny. They had the kind of chemistry that is difficult to capture on film.

The entire film takes place in the underground, which is effectively presented as a separate world than the one above ground. Some characters even talk about "up there" with a child- like wonder in their voices.

The cinematography is beautiful. Some of the scenes or long panning shots in the underground are breathtaking. Who'd a thunk it'd look so cool down there? You can tell the director has a photography background, by the wonderful shots he selected.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the rockin' soundtrack. Unfortunately, the band that did the music (NEO) are no longer together. Lets hope the director gets the soundtrack released.

This film is not all laughs however. It has a very serious side that is dark, and an ending that makes you think. If this is the kind of film we can expect from Hungary, I'm eagerly anticipating more. I definitely recommend this film. (8/10)

"Kontroll" gives me new hope that Hungarian filmmakers are finally capable to make pictures that appeal to audiences at home, movie critics (and probably also foreign audiences) alike. An excellent, though a bit weird mixture of satirical comedy, mystical drama and thriller. The metro stations become a world of their own, the neon lights create a new reality.

While in the beginning the film focuses on a whole group of ticket controllers and we expect a satirical comedy about their lives, in the second half the storyline concentrates on the terrifying experiences of Bulcsú, a man with a mysterious past. He used to be an artist or in some other kind of creative business not specified further, but left this life for unknown reasons and started to live in the metro. It also becomes clear that for some reason he is not able to leave the metro system until the end - when he overcomes the dark forces (that probably have also been lurking inside him). Everything about this story is deeply irrational (except for the satirical elements that are in some ways very close to reality :-)), this is just a terrible world, where love means the only hope (I was a bit reminded of Terry Gilliam's "Brazil").

An excellent movie that I would also strongly recommend to foreign viewers. I don't know if this will ever come to other countries, but I would very much like it to be so. So that Hungary could be put back on the landscape of international moviemaking.

P.s.: The Budapest multiplex I saw this in was absolutely packed with people. I was astonished what a great success "Kontroll" has become in Hungary, because I think that most people in the audience there have probably never seen anything that could only remotely be called arthouse - and "Kontroll" wasn't exactly an easy popcorn movie....

I can't wait to see this film again! There is a DVD coming out with Canadian distrib. ThinkFilm in the 1st quarter of 2005...i can't wait this long!!! Gah! The director was there for a Q&A after the film, and was wonderful to talk to (which is always a nice surprise). He told me that they got the high contrast look with a 'bleach-bypass' developing of the film, and it amplified the beautiful camera work.

First review says it all, gorgeous cinematography, great directing, great acting, great story. The lead actor also had the most incredible screen presence. I couldn't tear my eyes off his performance once, i hope he continues in the business with much success. I'd also keep my eyes on the other actors, as they were all fantastic.

-cheers.

What an unexpected pleasure! It doesn't happen very often to me that I go watch a movie completely in the dark; when I do, it's usually because somebody dragged me to it - as was the case here - and more often than not, I regret it afterwards. This was a very welcome exception. What a find! This movie has simply everything: great characters, superb cinematography, a kick-ass soundtrack; it's a comedy, a mystery thriller, a drama and a romance - and the performances and the direction are flawless. The main storyline follows Bulcsù, who is a ticket inspector for the Budapest subway. He lives in the dark, depressing tunnels below the city and never leaves them, having chosen his own personal hell after a life above which he seems to desperately want to forget. Bulcsù is a very ambiguous character and it's precisely the ambiguity and the symbolism of his story which make this film stand out for me. You have to fill in a lot of the blanks yourself and the further the story progresses, the more you're left wondering and guessing. I will not spoil anything here, but what makes me call this film great instead of just very good, is that there is a wide range of different interpretations possible for this marvelous movie, from the mainstream one to the dark and disturbing or even the religious - and they all work beautifully. Great, smart entertainment and outstanding cinema. 10 out of 10.

Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

Favorite Low-Budget and B-Movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/

I think, it's one of the best Hungarian films what had been ever made. Bulcsú's character is very good, and Kovács Lajos (the drunken metro driver) is a great actor, the story is exciting, and the pictures have very dark feelings, so it's a perfect film from a genius director, Antal Nimród. The story is very dark, and grabs your deep inner frightens. And it shows you the real world of Budapest subway, it's the same that you see in the film, expect the shadow murderer with the hood. Csányi Sándor's first main role wasn't too difficult for this fantastic young talent, he did his performances more perfect than the perfect. If you aren't a ticket inspector, or a subway passenger, you should watch this film. I can recommend it to everybody.

(sorry for my poor English, but I haven't got a language exam yet :-) )

CONTROL (Nimród Antal - Hungary 2003).

The film opens with a prologue featuring a real-life Budapest metro official declaring this film is in no way representative of Budapest's underground system, but nevertheless he's in full support (!) of this feature. Probably enscenated by the director, or he must be one hell of a charming fellow to convince the underground authorities in Budapest to allow this kind of endorsement.

This is a smart film. A cynical blender of genres and styles, completely in tune with the 21th century world of chaos, anarchy, despair and poverty we live in. It's a modern language. If this was American, it would define a generation. I'm positive it had this effect on many young Hungarians.

We have a closely confined space here: The Budapest underground rail system. Bulcsú, our main protagonist, is a controller in the Budapest metro. That's his job, leading a motley bunch of rival ticket inspectors. The film never comes above ground. Bulcsú never even leaves the system. He sleeps on the platforms, all he seems to eat or drink is coffee from the machines on the platforms. God knows what he lives on.

The crucial part is in the second half when Bulcsú meets an acquaintance of him on the platform, an middle-aged man who seems like a former professor of him or some kind of mentor. He is clearly embarrassed to run into him in the state he's in. What is it he's hiding from? He seems a well-educated young man. His acquaintance speaks of the promising young Bulcsú. Was he a promising scientist? What was his life like prior to the hellish job he does now? The rest, the extremely aggressive and unwilling passengers, rivalry among colleague ticket inspectors, even a shadowy serial killer who pushes unsuspecting travelers before trains, it's all a sideshow, but a brilliant one. The perfect backdrop for his troubled existence.

Sándor Csányi gives a brilliantly understated performance, perfectly in tune with the daylight-ridden world he lives in.

The silent scene where Bulcsú sits on a large ventilator shaft, echos Ridley Scott, a kind of existential ALIEN-film. Long tracking shots, a neon-lit world, an energetic techno-driven soundtrack. One can argue about the choice of music, the moral stance of the incredibly aggressive passengers but all is perfectly on par with the director's visual ideas. This director is in total control and knows how to express his ideas on film.

Very impressive, make sure you see this.

A small side-note: Nimród Antal, who grew up in LA, is currently finishing his latest film VACANCY, starring Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, scheduled for US release on 20 April 2007 and, I can hardly believe it, a cinematic release in the Netherlands as well, scheduled for 19 July 2007). I expect the worst and hope for the best.

Camera Obscura --- 10/10

Weird, whacky, amusing, unsettling with a thumpingly good soundtrack, Kontroll is a funky cult-style adventure in the Budapest subway system, the scarily unbalanced but mostly good-hearted (and fictitious) ticket inspectors, their adversaries, games of dare, the weirdos that play games of evasion, a gorgeous woman dressed in a teddy bear suit and so many other out-there and unpredictable aspects that you never know whether a seen will make you laugh or jump. Not for the very squeamish. The movie is perhaps slightly longer than it needs to be, but the aesthetic ending more than makes up for the sometimes dissipated storyline. The ingenious lighting and costumes, and the sheer audacity of the script and execution shriek of great things to come from this director.

This is just an amazing and wonderful film. It's funny, romantic, creepy, exciting and thought provoking. Too bad this weekend people are lining up to see A Lot Like Love.

The photography is dazzling, the music heart pounding, the acting is masterful... It's been a while since i enjoyed a movie this much. Hope you get a chance to see this, you won't regret it.

The movie is a very strange and quirky dark tale of a bunch of outcasts that spend their time working as ticket inspectors in the subway, but their leader is a haunting and charming guy that is obviously dealing with his demons and has exiled himself to the subway. In his quest for finding life again, so much stuff happens. The story is beautiful, but pretty dark and creepy at times, and the romantic plot between him and the gorgeous teddy bear girl in which both share their "outcastness" is perfect.

Please go see this, you deserve it.

Somewhat annoying movie with bits that are worthwhile, but caught up in a fog of director's free play. Primary character is always with that stupid blood on his face which increases as things become more dire. Needs a reality check! Are we looking at fantasy--then give it to us. Or is this "reality" with liberties. Appears as though the director wants to say something but confuses the issue with that nutty subway killer who looks like the Grim Reaper without his scythe. Give me a break! If this is symbolism then I don't buy it. My favorite part was the rapid sequential visits to the psychiatrist. However, this part of the film in its lightness and fun is so out of character that it points out the overall lack of unity offered in the movie. Too many extremes, as though the director really has no idea about what this film is supposed to do. It ends up being a well-produced but unresolved movie.

This is such a great film from a first time director. This movie makes you fall in love with the character and actually care whats going on in his life. And they do this with great music, funny situations, and some fun action scenes. This is definitely a treat if you can find it somewhere. This is one of my favorite films that has been shown at south by southwest, it goes along side The Thing About my Folks, and Palindromes. I can't wait until this comes out to DVD in America, i am definitely going to buy this film. Overall i give it a 9.1 of 10. Don't mess out on a chance to watch this movie.

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for the first time again since Avalon I felt completely lifted to another world... I didn't know what to expect when I decided to watch this one tonight as opener for the Fantasy Film Fest in Hamburg... I was skeptical since the last openers were highly promoted but quite dull... This one is different... A team of very different persons work together as ticket inspectors... each of them is differently weird but fun to watch... The whole movie happens in the subway and stations... no daylight... The images are great and the music fits perfectly to this extraordinary composition. Just don't ask what this movie is about... or if there is a story being told... I don't know... I don't care... I loved to watch and I hope to join this ride soon again...

I went into Kontroll with no expectations and was quickly a fan of the characters and cinematography. We're introduced to the "who the hell would work here" world of the Hungarian subway and we're given a few archetypal characters (the rookie, the reluctant hero with the mysterious past, the buffoon, and not one but two veterans). All of the promise of the first act, however, quickly dissipates into an overwrought poorly-edited and very confused film.

The plot SEEMS to be about a random psychopathic killer. Then the hooded killer goes missing for the rest of the movie until he's needed to wrap up a plot point in the last ten minutes. He doesn't even kill anyone we care about (Bootsie could've been edited out of the movie and it would make no difference).

Then the plot SEEMS to be about the horrible life of a subway worker. We're given two (maybe three) montages of how menial and soul-sucking the work is. We get it, it's a horrible job. What we don't get is why the protagonist stays. We don't need to know what he's afraid of (success? his parents?) but we do need to know why he puts up with his job for so long. We're given more than a glimpse of how strenuous it is, so it's definitely not the lack of pressure.

Then the plot SEEMS to be about a guy falling in love with a kooky girl (she wears a bear suit! how non-threateningly quirky! someone get Zach Braff on the phone) and falling head over heels for her, because she's cute and of course her obvious mental illness is alluring.

All of this would be great if Kontroll actually did anything meaningful with these elements. Instead, it tosses them into a salad with a bit of "love conquers all" dressing. It could have easily been 20 minutes shorter and twice as good. It seems the director fell in love with all of his footage and didn't know what to dump. A chase scene is exciting. A five minute chase scene, where no one is running through glass or doing parkour or shooting bullets or doing something more than just running is boring. And (spoiler) I don't buy the killer being Bulcsu's "split personality." He has no signs of derangement and the film doesn't give us any other clues that it may be him. The killer is a cheap plot device to load interest into the front end and provide a "symbol" for the protagonist at the end.

There are three very good ideas for a film in this movie, but the filmmakers never wrangle them in and take control of a steady direction. This could be a film about a subway pusher. A film about a guy overcoming failure to win a quirky girl (seen that one a million times). A film about working in a hostile and unrewarding environment. There's a way to incorporate all of these themes into one film, but Kontroll never seems to find out how to do that.

At long last there is an excellent, competitive Hungarian movie about different ways of the ego and soul, about love and crime and the background there is symbolic world of subway. I really enjoyed the characters because they all are basic symbols of our life. There is the good, the bad, the lover, the friend and so many characters who can help the protagonist to reach his right way of self-realization and in the other hand there are the dark forces, all those who try to balk our hero to reach the glory. But what the glory really is? It's always personal and different. The same in all ways is to make the dream true. Our hero can beat his evil instincts with love and reach the glory (and to be able to make his dreams true). After all I really enjoyed Nimród Antal first movie and my advice is the next: U have to see it!

Strange movie about dark life of Budapest's metro. Not bad. But there is too much fight between ticket controllers and passengers. Too much impossibility, blood, violence. Recommended just for adults and not metro passengers.

The movie is a cinematic triumph! Don't need to say much, very good acting with amazing and very rare atmosphere. Solid story and amazing soundtrack! The perfect example that you don't need a big budget or the fancy actors to make a very good movie! A absolutely must see! Kontroll!

Please make more movies like this !

Pretty articulated carousel of the dark with style and following atmosphere in pretty solid rhythm. Acting is more than excellent. As usual,when I see several types of genre numbered on IMDb site I can see that the film is beyond understanding of the TV dinner and pop-corn spectators. So, yes, intelligently done especially for the young director. However, the movie is missing the main axis of film plot development pretty seriously. It starts with mysterious deaths, followed by the main events of our favorite crew of controller and then suddenly gets into the love relation between main character and the strange passenger, and than again new events over-strength these and after that the director got lost. All in all, very nice try, decent work. Keep working.

The Independent Film Channel has been screening the full length version of Kontroll (111 minutes by my reckoning), widescreen, with nice clear subtitles. I watched the first 3 minutes and was hooked, open-mouthed, for the duration of the movie. The stunning "railing" sequence, a spine-tingling dolly shot that simply refuses to cut away, is like one of those dreadful nightmares wherein one is being chased by the dark, hooded figure who gets ever closer ... in fact the entire movie is a dream-state, a blossoming of those flowers of evil any city dweller has sensed in a subway late at night, when there are few people around ... it took me back to my days (or nights) working late in the West End of London, and catching the last, late underground train home ... Strange that nobody has commented on the way the movie navigates the low-key sexual tensions between the (almost entirely male) characters, with the leader of the rival "railing" gang making a gay-baiting comment about his antagonist ... and thus it is even more interesting that the young woman - Bela's daughter - is reductively described by many reviewers as Bulscu's 'girlfriend' when she doesn't really fulfil that prosaic a dramatic function, any more than the 'pusher/shadow' is a literal serial killer in the manner, say, of Lustig's 'Maniac'. She occupies a similar space to the magnificent owl, a being that sees what is going on in the darkness (and that also is sacred to Athena, goddess of -among other things- wisdom). And while the subtitles refer to her as wearing a "bear" suit, viewers on IMDb and amazon seem to think she's in a "bunny" suit, while I would swear she's in a kangaroo cozzie. In fact the presence of real or masquerade animals in the movie is mythically interesting - I counted 3 dogs, for instance, and was reminded of the 3-headed dog Cerberus, the Guardian of the Underworld in classical mythology (also a reference Fincher made in 'Se7en') I could write reams about this astounding movie. Dream-like, nail-biting, humane and terrifying in equal measure, it's a work of which all involved in its making must be amazingly proud. And can anyone identify the brilliant young man who plays the dazzlingly choreographed fare-dodger, spraying Tibor's face with ... what ? Crazy Foam ? Shaving cream ? ... and parcouring magnificently down the escalator before meeting his (shocking) fate ?

First of all, let me say, I am glad so many people have seen this film outside Hungary (to be honest, that hadn't happened to any Hungarian film for ages). What's even a greater joy for me, is that most people liked it (judging from votes and comments).

I think, Kontroll features brilliant aspiring actors (instead of the more well known ones, who are good actors, but it is a bit boring, that real young talents are rarely discovered), nice cinematography, a very unified depicting of the dark subterranean world (by the way, the movie does not take place in the Budapest subway - although it was shot there, the plot is set in a fully fictional environment!), astonishing direction and camera-work and a great soundtrack. So, I must say, this is a great movie, but the script is perhaps a bit leaky. It is like if the author could not decide whether to write a dark art-movie, a comedy or a thriller.

To come to a conclusion, I must say, this movie is a bit too alternative for me, certainly not a gripping one... In addition, it is annoying that in Hungary it has become very trendy to love this movie. Howaever, that is not the film's fault...

No bad.. There is a kind of relationship with Besson's "Metro" and Monory's "Meteo", but otherwise "Kontroll" is absolutely original. Sometimes to much the "lyre", but i think the "Kontroll" can be a new hungarian cult-movie.

The idea of this movie is very innovative, i've never seen a movie with plot about ticket controllers. It does has the potential to be one of the best movies that worths 10 stars.

This movie has a really good beginning, It begins with a drunken women who fell in the track and get killed by a train, and then a controller sleeping on the floor with a bleeding nose. Later on in this movie answer the question about why this controller have a bleeding nose and what happen to the dead body in the track, which is some fact that we never know. The earlier part of this movie display the real aspect of lives of the ticket controllers in an funny and interesting way. Also, the pictures are excellent.

However, with the additional of a female character in the 2nd part of the movie, totally destroy the whole story. It turns an innovative and funny movie into a cheesy love story. It was about one of the ticket controller met this stunning beautiful "bunny", and they fall in love and she became his angel and get him out of the metro system and he find his true love. It is extremely cheesy and ordinary. Exactly an universal plot of most of the commercial movie. It doubt if this is the original idea of this movie or somebody else add it in after the screen writer die.

The poster totally spoiled the image of this movie. They choose the worse part of the movie -- the ending, as the poster, an angel was holding his hand under the escalator. Instead, they should choose either a shot from the tunnel or when the controllers was standing together on the platform will more likely to arouse the interest of audiences.

Also, they should shorten this movie and eliminate the female protagonist. But focus more on the ticket controllers.

I saw the movie twice and I really enjoyed the funny parts, especially when Sándor Badár and his controller friends are doing their job and the interviews at the company's shrink are hilarious. And, of course, Béla bá, played by Lajos Kovács is excellent.

But what's the story about? Does anyone know who the killer is? And why does he kill people? Why does Bulcsú live underground? What is he hiding from? Why is the girl dressed as a bear? It's such a mess, that I didn't find the answers to those above mentioned questions even though I saw Kontroll twice. I believe a good movie must be written well enough in order to give answers to those questions or at least hints so I can later think about them. Maybe they wanted to have a funny flick about controllers at the Budapest subway, and then randomly threw plot ideas around the jokes to make a 90+minutes movie?

I don't know. SO sad, because the movie could have been a lot better!