Orphan (Árva)

After the previous year’s failed uprising, the atmosphere of the communist Budapest in 1957 is grim. Andor, the 12-year-old orphan of the title, is actually not an orphan at all. His mother is still alive and takes care of him as best she can. Andor seeks support mainly from his missing father, whom he idolises as a war hero. But a brutal butcher and the secrets of his mother suddenly turn his life upside down. The Hungarian director László Nemes won an Oscar for his debut film, ‘Son of Paul’. With ‘Orphan’, he once again delivers a visually stunning film, thanks in part to cinematographer Mátyás Erdély. The historical drama premiered at the Venice Film Festival and is Hungary’s Oscar entry.