The History of Central Europe: István Szabó’s Films in the 1990s

Grzegorz Bubak

Abstract

Szabó came to be known as a keen commentator of the modem history of Europe in his early films. His trilogy (Mephisto, Colonel Redl and Hanussen) depicted the times of the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the end of World War I and Hitler’s rise to power. The films received good reception in the West and enabled Szabó to make an international career. As a result, in the early 1990’s he made Meeting Venus with Glenn Close and international stars in the cast. The first comedy in his filmography, the film tells the story of a Hungarian stage manager who starts a job in Paris. Szabó is interested in a clash of cultures and mentalities, which leads to misunderstandings and the hero’s identity crisis. Art turns out to be common ground and helps narrow the differences. The theme of cultural identity crisis appears in the film Sweet Emma, Dear Böbe. Its heroes have to learn to live under new sociopolitical conditions. Responsibility for one’s own choices is the key issue. All these important themes are raised in Sunshine, Szabó’s latest film summing up his artistic work. Sunshine is also an important voice in a debate on the identity of European culture.