Hungarian Film 'Eine Erklärung für alles' Explores Social Divides Through a High School Exam
Gábor Reisz's critically acclaimed drama uses a failed history exam to delve into the complexities of Hungary's polarized political and cultural landscape.
- The film centers on Ábel, a high school student who fails his oral history exam, prompting political tensions when his father attributes the failure to bias against Ábel's patriotic pin.
- Director Gábor Reisz examines the growing polarization in Hungarian society, portraying the personal and societal impacts of entrenched political divides.
- The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, including Ábel's conservative father, his liberal teacher, and a young journalist who sensationalizes the story.
- Reisz uses the microcosm of the school and media to reflect broader autocratic mechanisms in Hungary, with themes of propaganda, education, and press manipulation.
- The film has received critical acclaim, winning the Orizzonti prize at the 2023 Venice Film Festival for its nuanced storytelling and exploration of contemporary societal issues.
Die Tageszeitung 
Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung 