Natural Light

WINNER – SILVER BEAR FOR BEST DIRECTION – BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL 2021

A STYLISH WAR DRAMA ABOUT EASTERN EUROPE'S DARKEST MOMENT

* * * * “ Dreamy and fabulously nasty ” – The Guardian

As allies of Nazi Germany, Hungarian troops are tasked with keeping occupied territories in the Soviet Union free of partisans. After an ambush in which his superior is shot dead, Corporal István Semetka is faced with the thankless task of taking over command. The soldiers want to take out their anger over the attack on the peasants in a nearby village. Semetka maintains discipline, but when his much more aggressive replacement arrives, everything begins to build towards disaster before his war-weary eyes.

In his feature film debut, director Dénes Nagy takes a detached look at a dark chapter in 20th-century history. Exquisite photography by Tamás Dobos and sensitive sound design create an aesthetic whole. The calm pace and saturated colors bring to mind masters like Andrei Tarkovsky and Elem Klimov. Based on the novel of the same title by Pál Závada.

* * * * “ Extremely consistent ” – Kulturbloggen
* * * * “ Skillful craftsmanship ” – Filmeye

“ There is a tight concentration under Nagy’s direction that impresses ” – DN

“ Striking craftsmanship ” – Empire
“ Intense and thoughtful ” – Cineuropa
“ Ominously beautiful photo, enhanced by contemplative music ”
– The Hollywood Reporter
“A relentless and dignified reminder of the horrors of war” – The Film Stage
“ Immersive, beautifully crafted, thought-provoking ” - Screen Daily
" Impressive with masterful tableaux " - Variety