''Memories of a River'' ( hu, Tutajosok) is a 1990 Hungarian drama film directed by Judit Elek. It is a historical film set in 1882 and tells the story of the last trial in Hungary of a Jew for ritual murder.

Synopsis

In the 19th century

Austro-Hungarian Empire Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...

David Hersko, a Jewish

shepherd A shepherd or sheepherder is a person who tends, herds, feeds, or guards flocks of sheep. ''Shepherd'' derives from Old English ''sceaphierde (''sceap'' 'sheep' + ''hierde'' 'herder'). ''Shepherding is one of the world's oldest occupations, i ...

, witnesses the attack of a young girl. His home is burned down and he finds shelter with the family of a Jewish logger. The loggers find the body of a young woman which they bury, going against local laws. They are charged with her murder and it is believed that they killed her as a ritual murder.

Cast

* Sándor Gáspár as Herskó Dávid * András Stohl as Matej *

Pál Hetényi Pál is a Hungarian masculine given name, the Hungarian version of Paul. It may refer to: * Pál Almásy (1818-1882), Hungarian lawyer and politician * Pál Bedák (born 1985), Hungarian boxer * Pál Benkő (1928–2019), Hungarian-American chess ...

as Csepkanics *

Zoltán Mucsi Zoltán Mucsi (born 8 September 1957 in Abony) is a Hungarian actor. He has appeared in more than sixty films since his debut in 1983. Zoltán Mucsi was born in Abony, and in his childhood, he originally wanted to be a footballer. In 1979 he jo ...

as Jákob * Franciszek Pieczka as Vogel Ansel * János Ács as Vay György * Tamás Fodor as Eötvös Károly * Róbert Koltai as Scharf József * Andor Lukáts as Schwarz Salamon * Georgiana Tarjan as Sára

Controversy

For the purposes of the film 14 sheep were spread with flammable substance, and then to the order by Judit Elek were burned alive. 69 scientists from the Jagiellonian University demanded from authorities of forbidding Judit Elek entry to Poland. Scientists wrote among others: "No director knowing her own worth would debase herself for using so primitive and cruel methods".

Awards

The film won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 1989 Montréal World Film Festival. In 1990 it won the Grand Prix at the Créteil International Women's Film Festival.

References

External links

* * 1990 films French historical drama films 1990s Hungarian-language films Films directed by Judit Elek Films set in 1882 Films set in Hungary Hungarian historical drama films 1990s historical drama films 1990 drama films 1990s French films {{historic-film-stub