Sándor Csányi Movies
- 2007
A nation whose dreams of freedom have been crushed meet their rivals on a different field of battle in this drama inspired by a true story. In 1956, Karcsi Szabo (Ivan Fenyo) was a star athlete at the University of Budapest and had been named captain of the national water polo team than would represent Hungary in the Olympics held that summer in Australia. However, many of Szabo's countrymen had more on their minds; Hungary had fallen under the oppressive rule of the Soviet Union, and a growing number of Hungarians were demanding independence. One day, Szabo and his friend Tibi (Sándor Csányi) witness a demonstration led by Viki Falk (Kata Dobó) demanding an end to Soviet rule in Hungary. While initially Szabo is more attracted to Falk's beauty than her message, through his attempts to woo her he is awakened to the need for revolution; however, an uprising by the people is crushed by the Soviet war machine, and matters become worse for the Hungarian people. When Szabo and his teammates discover that Hungary will be competing against the U.S.S.R. in the men's Water Polo tournament at the upcoming Olympics, they see an opportunity for a symbolic victory over their oppressors . . . if they will be allowed to leave to country to compete. Szabadsag Szerelem (aka Children of Glory) was based on the true story of Hungary's 1956 water polo victory over the Soviet Union in what has been described as the most violent match in the history of the sport; the documentary Freedom's Fury offers a factual perspective on the same event. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kata Dobo, Ivan Fenyo, (more)
- 2007
Two high-tech matchmakers find love in the arms of the competition in director Tamás Sas' warm and fuzzy romantic comedy. Peter (Sandor Csanyi) is an entrepreneurial single father whose tech-savvy dating company feeds fumbling lotharios romantic lines through cleverly-hidden earpieces. Though his clever ruse works like magic nine times out of ten, unsatisfied customer Tomi (Ivan Fenyo) proves an irritating acceptance to the rule. Though he may be filthy rich, Tomi is hopelessly inept in his efforts to win the heart of pretty schoolteacher Veronika (Monika Ullman). Frustrated, Tomi demands instant results. Though Peter and his crafty gal pal Betti (Patricia Kovacs) concoct a clever plan to get Tomi and Veronika on a romantic weekend getaway, the plan hits an unexpected hitch when Peter falls head over heels for the object of his client's affections and Veronika makes a startling revelation. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sándor Csányi, Monika Ullmann, (more)
Hungarian director Krisztina Goda's witty and whimsical romantic comedy Just Sex and Nothing Else follows the travails of Dora (Judit Schell), a woman of the theater in her early-mid thirties. Unnerved by the ticking of her own biological clock, Dora is nonetheless somewhat comforted by the kn owledge that she'll soon be in a secure, loving marriage with a new husband - that is, until her shocking discovery that the fiancé is already married to someone else. Confronted by her intended's furious wife, Dora backs out onto a window ledge, and bumps into cocky actor Tamas (Sandor Csanyi) - with whom she strikes up an instant erotic relationship. Dora hears herself reassuring her friends that their affair is only about sex, and that she's using the sex with Tamas to get pregnant - but inside, she isn't so sure. The picture co-stars Antal Czapko and Zoltan Seress; Goda co-authored the original script with Gabor Heller and Reka Divinyi. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adel Jordan, Judit Schell, (more)
- 2006
A virtuous man discovers just how deep corruption can run, and how easy one can succumb to it, in this satiric comedy-drama from Hungarian filmmaker Istvan Szabo. When a scandal brings down the attorney general of a small but prosperous community near Budapest, Istvan Kopjass (Sandor Csanyi), a man with a clear record and impeccable ethics, is invited to take over the position. While his wife Lina (Ildiko Toth) is wary of the appointment and wants to avoid uprooting their children, Istvan is convinced he can make positive change and he accepts. However, only a few days after taking his new position, Istvan becomes aware of how challenging his job can be when the town's mayor (Oleg Tabakov) persuades him to abandon plans for a new tax schedule that would lower assessments for the poor. Istvan also discovers nearly everyone he meets claims to be some sort of distant relative, and as a consequence wants some sort of special consideration that he often finds difficult to refuse. Istvan's downfall begins when a less than honest banker (Karoly Eperjes) arranges for him to get a special deal on a large house in exchange for some favors, and things get much worse when the banker's attractive wife (Erika Marozsan) uses her charms to lure Istvan into some serious white collar crime. Rokonok (aka Relatives) was adapted from the novel of the same name by Zsigmond Moricz. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sándor Csányi, Ildiko Toth, (more)
Director Peter Gardos adapts Hungarian author Ervin Lazar's acclaimed novel State Farm for the screen in this look at life, death, and resurrection comprised of three unforgettable stories. In the first tale, a wiry teen mysteriously overpowers a series of experienced soldiers in a series of intense athletic challenges. The second tale, a story of life after death, finds a visiting state official making the curious claim that he can restore life to the dear departed. In the third and final tale, authorities attempting to relocate a reluctant elderly couple find their efforts strangely thwarted by a most unusual development. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lajos Bertok, Sándor Csányi, (more)
For his feature debut, L.A.-born Hungary resident Nimród Antal made Kontroll, a farcical look at the Budapest subway system, about the crazy ticket agents who earn their living there and the hostile citizens they deal with on a daily basis. At the center of it all is Bulcsú (Sándor Csányi), a quiet fellow who leads his ragtag crew that includes the Professor (Zoltán Mucsi), the nagging, burned-out elder of the group; Muki (Csaba Pindroch), the goofy narcoleptic; the disheveled Lecsó (Sándor Badár); and the naïvely gung-ho new guy, Tibi (Zsolt Nagy). Bulcsú and his guys can't compete with the likes of Gonzó's (Balázs Mihályfi) top-notch crew, who gets all the perks and the best assignments. They're more concerned with just getting through each day in one piece, and it isn't always easy. In addition to the annoyed riders who bicker over having to show their tickets and passes, there's Bootsie (Bence Mátyássy), an energetic young man who plays pranks on the agents and runs very fast, and Sofie (Eszter Balla), the odd young woman who shows up on the train in a bear costume everyday and never pays her fare. Worst of all, there's a dark and mysterious figure who's been pushing unsuspecting riders in front of oncoming trains with predictably grisly results. His superiors begin to suspect Bulcsú when they realize he's been living in the system, spending his nights sleeping on the platforms, and never venturing above ground. Kontroll won Le Prix de la Jeunesse at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. It was also selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art for inclusion in the 2005 edition of New Directors/New Films. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sándor Csányi, Zoltan Mucsi, (more)
The Hungarian romantic comedy Stop Mom Theresa!, directed by Peter Bergendy, concerns a young woman devoted to her career who decides to focus on her personal life. She gets lots of support from her girlfriends and her brother, but her mother is a constant source of frustration. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabriella Hamori, Sándor Csányi, (more)
A girl looking for excitement in the big city finds it -- in all the wrong ways -- in this streetwise drama. Aniko (Gabriella Hamori) is a teenager from rural Hungary who decides to strike out on her own. She heads to Budapest, where she moves in with her best friend Molni (Martina Kovacs). Aniko soon gets a job in a factory, but she was hoping for a flashier career and is still on the lookout for the man of her dreams. Aniko thinks she might have found him when she meets Miki (Sandor Csanyi), who works as a security guard; Miki and Aniko hit it off and are soon spending their evenings double-dating with Molni and her beau, Kristan (Tamas Lengyel). But Miki wants to make more money, and when he learns that Kristan is doing well as a drug dealer, he decides he'd like to give the dope business a try, leading both Aniko and himself into a world of danger. I Love Budapest was the first feature from filmmaker Agnes Incze. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabriella Hamori
