Feels Like Home

Feels Like Home, which unexpectedly became a box-office hit in its home country, lingers in the mind as an allegorical survival story. ory. How does a person survive and adapt amid corruption and authoritarianism?

Hungarian director Gábor Holtai's feature debut stretches its premise to the extreme. Rita, who works as a shop assistant, is suddenly kidnapped and told that she is in fact a completely different person than she has believed. Rita learns that she is Szilvi, who lost her memory and has now finally come home. With her life on the line, Rita must study Szilvi's diary and learn to live as part of a family led by a patriarch whose wishes no one dares question. Soon, however, it starts to seem that Rita might not be the only one playing a role.

This reality shaped by lies and performance brings to mind The Truman Show as told from an Eastern European perspective. Feels Like Home, however, is darker and more absurd. The film, which depicts psychological — and at times physical — violence, is enlivened from start to finish by inventive camerawork. Excellent performances round out the work, ensuring the two hours never grow dull.

Kauri Pälsi