Father (1966)
István Szabó's intimate Hungarian drama traces a young man's search for the truth about his late father in the shadow of war and ideology.
Father - Movie Information
- Original Title: Apa
- Release Year: 1966
- Directed by: István Szabó
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Original Language: Hungarian
- Spoken Languages: Hungarian
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 8, 1966 (Hungary), October 4, 1967 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Father (US), Il padre (IT), Padre (ES)
- Production Companies: Mafilm
- Production Countries: Hungary
Father - Plot
The beginning shows Hungary devastated by the war and the postwar reconstruction with its communist government. Our hero (played first by Dániel Erdély and later, as a young man, by András Bálint) is clearly determined to find out what he can about his father who died young. All he knows is that he was a doctor and perhaps he was an honored victim of fascism. He never really finds out but his relationship with his mother, his friends and his Jewish girlfriend will make him totally independent of this need to find all about Apa or Father.
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Father - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- István Szabó
Main Cast
- András Bálint
- Miklós Gábor
- Dániel Erdély
- Kati Sólyom
- Klári Tolnay
- Rita Békés
Writers
- István Szabó
Father - FAQs
What is Father (1966) about?
Father follows a young Hungarian man who grows up in postwar communist Hungary determined to learn the truth about his deceased father, a doctor who may have been a victim of fascism. Through relationships with his mother, friends, and Jewish girlfriend, he gradually achieves emotional independence from that unresolved search.
Who directed the 1966 film Father?
Father was directed by István Szabó, the acclaimed Hungarian filmmaker who later gained international recognition with Mephisto (1981), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Father was one of his earliest features and established his distinctive style of personal, memory-driven cinema.
Where can you watch Father (1966)?
Father (1966) is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video. For a full overview of current streaming and viewing options available in your region, you can check JustWatch, which aggregates platform availability and pricing in one place.
Who are the main actors in Father?
The film stars András Bálint as the young adult Takó Bence, with Dániel Erdély portraying him as a child. The supporting cast includes Miklós Gábor as the idealized father, Klári Tolnay as the mother, Kati Sólyom as Anni, and Rita Békés in a further role.
Is Father (1966) based on a true story?
Father is not based on a specific documented true story, but it draws heavily on autobiographical impulses. Director István Szabó grew up in postwar Hungary and infused the film with deeply personal reflections on memory, identity, and the myth-making that surrounds absent parents in the aftermath of war and political upheaval.
When was Father released and in which countries?
Father had its Hungarian premiere on December 8, 1966. It reached the United States on October 4, 1967. The film was produced by Mafilm in Hungary and is known internationally under alternative titles including Il padre in Italian and Padre in Spanish.
How was Father (1966) received by critics?
Father earned strong critical praise and is regarded as a landmark of the Hungarian New Wave. It won the Silver Bear Special Jury Prize at the 1966 Berlin International Film Festival, cementing István Szabó's reputation as a major voice in European art cinema and a sensitive chronicler of Hungarian identity and memory.
Did Father win any awards?
Yes. Father received the Silver Bear Special Jury Prize at the 16th Berlin International Film Festival in 1966, one of the most prestigious honors in European cinema. The recognition helped bring international attention to both the film and to director István Szabó early in his career.
More About Father
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