JUDGMENT IN HUNGARY

In 2008 and 2009 several Roma villages in Hungary were attacked by far-right extremists. Six people died, among them a five-year-old child. The film documents the two-and-a-half-year trial of four suspects against whom a case was brought. Because the camera rarely ventures outside the small courtroom in which the defendants sit opposite the victims’ relatives, the mounting intensity is reminiscent of a chamber play. We learn a lot about the widespread resentment against Roma and Jews in Hungary. In the course of the hearings gaping forensic errors come to light – shoddy detective work or deliberate manipulation? Insisting on the authority of the court, issuing frequent warnings and reprimands, the irascible judge presents himself as an impartial champion of law and order. His ire is roused by the emotions displayed by Roma witnesses – and equally by the cold-bloodedness displayed by the other side. However, the longer the trial drags on, the fewer spectators turn up day for day. The defendants’ self-confidence grows: they talk about the alleged support for their cause among the population, articulate barely veiled threats. The judge is increasingly forced into the defensive. Must the Roma fear for justice?

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ESZTER HAJDÚ
Born 1979 in Budapest, Hungary.
She studied electronic media, sociology, and Jewish Culture. After attending filmmaking courses in Italy and Romania, she took part in the Amsterdam IDFA Festival Academy. Currently enrolled at the University of Drama, Film and Television, Budapest. Her controversial documentary THE FIDESZ JEW, THE MOTHER WITH NO SENSE OF NATION, AND MEDIATION received awards at the 40th Hungarian Film Festival and the Verzio International Documentary Film Festival.

FILMOGRAPHY (SELECTION)
2006 / OTTHONOM TARNABOD / MY OWN PRIVATE TARNABOD (doc)
2007 / DESTINO (doc)
2008 / A FIDESZES ZSIDÓ, A NEMZETI ÉRZÉS NÉLKÜLI ANYA ÉS A MEDIÁCIÓ / THE FIDESZ JEW, THE MOTHER WITH NO SENSE OF NATION, AND MEDIATION (doc)
2009 / BŐLCSÕDAL / LULLABY (doc)
2010 / DÉMONI KEZEK / DEMON HANDS (doc)
2011 / VIVIEN (doc)
2013 / JUDGMENT IN HUNGARY (doc)