Watch The Family Album

The 1988 film, The Family Album, is a Hungarian drama directed by István Szabó. The film is a fictional account of a typical Hungarian family in the 20th century. The storyline is structured around the events that take place in the lives of the family members over several decades, covering the period between World War I and the early 1980s.

The film presents the struggles and joys of the family led by the prosecutor father, János Greiner, played by János Bán. His wife, Kata, played by Ildikó Bánsági, is the supportive, yet somewhat silent pillar of the family. The couple raises three children, a daughter named Magda, and two sons, Péter and Tamás. The film explores the family dynamics in detail, focusing on the different personalities, priorities, responsibilities, and aspirations of each family member.

The opening scene takes place in the year 1914 in the small Hungarian town of Ujfalu, where János Greiner is a young lawyer with ambitions to become a judge. The scene is set just before the outbreak of World War I and sets the stage for the family's difficult journey. The film then fast-forwards to the mid-1920s, where János and Kata are newlyweds, struggling to make ends meet. As the years go by, they slowly climb up the legal ladder, and their family grows.

János becomes a respected prosecutor, and Kata manages the household, while their children grow up and pursue their own interests. Péter becomes a lawyer like his father, while Tamás pursues a career in the arts, studying film and photography. Magda, meanwhile, marries and has children of her own.

The film's scenes are interconnected, revolving around key moments in the family's life, such as graduation ceremonies, weddings, illnesses, and celebrations. As the family grows and changes, the world around them transforms too. The film explores the changing political and social landscape of Hungary, including the rise of fascism, the socialist regime, and the struggles of everyday life under communism.

The Family Album is a personal and emotional look at a family trying to navigate the turbulent times of the 20th century. The story is carefully crafted and moves along at a slow pace, reflecting the quotidian nature of the events taking place. The film is an ode to everyday life, with its ups and downs, and to the resilience of ordinary people. The characters are well developed, and the actors deliver nuanced performances that bring depth and meaning to the storyline.

The film's cinematography is another standout, capturing the different decades and settings with precision and style. The locations range from the rural town of Ujfalu to the bustling metropolis of Budapest, each with its unique character and charm. The camera work is subtle and evocative, conveying the emotions and moods of the story without intrusive close-ups or flashy techniques.

Overall, The Family Album is a timeless work of film art, as relevant and poignant today as it was in 1988. The film explores some of the key themes that have shaped Hungary's history and culture, including family, identity, politics, and art. It is a moving tribute to the human experience, and to the power of storytelling through film. If you're a fan of classic cinema, character-driven drama, or Hungarian culture, you won't want to miss this gem of a film.

The Family Album is a 1986 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.