The Confrontation

Streaming video - 1968

Paralleling the dramatic student protests and riots that were exploding across the world in the 1960s at the time the film was made, THE CONFRONTATION is a story of protest and rebellion. Set in 1947 Hungary when the Communist Party have just taken power, dancing, singing Communist students debate Catholic seminary students at a People's college, all the while worrying their words will escalate into a fight. Jancsó’s first color film is a virtuoso display by a director at the peak of his powers. The film eloquently explores the complex issues and inherent problems of revolutionary democracy, and was set to compete in the famously cancelled Cannes 1968.