15 November 2021, 06:30 pm
FILM FESTIVAL
Programme Type
Films and Exhibitions
Venue
C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, IIC main building

István Szabó Retrospective: Central European Present and Past in Film
Organised in collaboration with Liszt Institute-Hungarian Cultural Centre Delhi; and University of Delhi

Colonel Redl (Hungary)
(144 min; 1985; dvd; Hungarian with English subtitles)
Director: István Szabó

Multiple award winner including Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival 1985; BAFTA Film Award for Best Foreign Language Film, BAFTA Film Awards 1986; Film Award in Gold for Outstanding Feature Film & Best Performance of an Actor in a Leading Role, German Film Awards 1985; among others

The rise and fall of Alfred Redl, an ambitious young officer who proceeds up the ladder to become head of the Austro-Hungarian Secret Police, only to become ensnared in a web of political deception.

Szabó returns to the formula that made Mephisto a success and improves on it, delivering a stunning historical piece with the amazing Brandauer in the lead role.  This one is set in the years preceding The Great War, where the glory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is in decline.  Brandauer plays Alfred Redl, a young officer from a poor upbringing who quickly rises in the ranks to become head of the secret police.  Once again it is Brandauer's charismatic presence and dramatic range that carries the film. The final scene in the film is one of the most emotional powerful displays of acting ever filmed.

A fascinating story of a true historical figure, with another brilliant performance from Klaus Maria Brandauer, one of the most underrated actors of his generation.