This overlooked film from Hungary deserves to be seen more often. Istvan Gaal directs a seemingly straightforward film about a rural outpost where falcons are trained and used to control birds considered as pests to farmers. This narrative is simply a cover for subtle observations on the communist system and of how it depersonalises individuals. Use a simple equation: falcons = government agents and/or communist citizens.
We observe the action of the film through the eyes of "Boyo", the urban visitor to the camp. The head of the camp is Lilik who trains his falcons according to rigid ancient traditions. The film is shot in beautiful colour and features the hot, harsh environment of the plains of Hungary.
After seeing the film you wonder what it was all about. There is no great dramatic plot nor is there any deep dialogue. Boyo arrives, learns and then departs. However, after viewing you realise that things in this film - and in life - are not always what they seem. A visual treat with a standout scene featuring the training of falcons.
