The Hungarian Dressmaker (Slovak: Ema a smrtihlav, lit. 'Emma and Death's Head') is a 2024 drama film directed by Iveta Grófová. Set in World War II, it tells the story of the Hungarian widow Marika, who hides a Jewish boy from a fascist militia in her house nearby Bratislava. The story is an adaptation of an eponymous novel by Peter Krištúfek.
Contents
Plot
Slovak Republic, 1942. The shadow of World War II looms large, and the newly established Slovak state embraces a nationalist ideology that targets minorities. With the expulsion of Czechs complete, the regime sets its sights on the Jewish population, commencing their deportation. Amidst this turmoil, Marika, a Hungarian widow living in a small village, faces the repercussions of this escalating persecution. Having lost her job in Bratislava due to her ethnicity, she now finds her village Biskupice pri Dunaji overrun by the Hlinka Guard, whose mission is to assert Slovak dominance.
Marika's situation becomes even more precarious as she secretly shelters a young Jewish boy. Striving to avoid detection, she nevertheless attracts the unwanted attention of two powerful figures: a Slovak Hlinka Guard captain and a German Nazi officer. Caught between their competing interests, Marika must rely on her wits and courage to safeguard the boy and survive in an increasingly dangerous world.
Cast
Alexandra Borbély as Mária "Marika" Sándorfi (née Otiszová), a Slovak Hungarian widowed dressmaker
Milan Ondrík as Captain Dušan, a Slovak officer in the Hlinka Guard
Nico Klimek as Šimon, a Czech Jewish boy whom Marika is hiding
Alexander E. Fennon as Heinz Lepke, a Sudeten German Nazi officer married to a Czech
Dénes Újlaky as Sándorfi, Marika's father-in-law
Florentín Groll as Mr. Kramer, Marika's neighbour
Éva Bandor as Agnes
Ján Mistrík as Jožko Báči
László Mátray as Guard Janko
Lili Monori as Marika's mother-in-law
Release
The Hungarian Dressmaker had its world premiere in June 2024 at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival as part of the Crystal Globe Competition. It also screened at Thessaloniki International Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival among many others. International sales are handled by London-based REASON8.
Accolades
The Hungarian Dressmaker was the Slovak submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for the 97th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Milan Ondrík was nominated for best supporting actor at the 2024 Czech Lion Awards for his role in the movie.