Cantata (film)

Cantata is a 1963 Hungarian drama film directed by Miklós Jancsó and starring Zoltán Latinovits, Andor Ajtay and Gyula Bodrogi.

Plot

After witnessing a senior doctor about whom he had doubts, bring back a patient from cardiac arrest, a young doctor with peasant roots comes to question his whole life when the doctor collapses from the struggle. Feeling that his progress from peasant's son to city doctor was made too smoothly, without a need to struggle or learn about life, and has made him arrogant and lonely, he comes to realise he has become gradually estranged from his own class and background after he returns to visit his hometown.

Cast

Zoltán Latinovits as Járom Ambrus dr.
Andor Ajtay as Ádámfy professzor
Béla Barsi as Ambrus apja
Miklós Szakáts as Docens
Gyula Bodrogi as Kiss Gyula
Edit Domján as Márta, Ambrus szerelme
Mária Medgyesi as Eta
Gyöngyvér Demjén as Fiatal lány

Analysis

The English title comes from Béla Bartók's Cantata Profana, whose story, heard as a radio broadcast in the film, echoes the conflict within the young doctor. It relates to nine sons raised by their father only to hunt, who know nothing of work, and spend all their time in the forest. The nine boys were turned magically into stags and, although recognised by their father, their altered natures mean they cannot return to live in their home.