This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!
Details
This special limited edition slipcover is limited to 1,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Dekanalog is a film and soundtrack distribution company dedicated to the release of the most unique filmmaking voices and musical scores from around the world. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!
An old man hiccups. He shuffles slowly about his morning ritual and then takes his place on a bench outside his cottage, beside the road, still hiccuping. A goose goes about its business. Flies buzz. A cat earns its living. A runaway cart causes a stir in the village. The old man hiccups. A lovingly photographed natural history, these opening shots announce György Pálfi's Hukkle as a film that will proceed in its own way to its own destination, without regard to convention. The film is told almost entirely without dialogue, but is alive to sound; we spend observant, introspective hours in a Hungarian hamlet where nothing much seems to happen -- oh, except that there's a suspicious death... A mesmerizing pastoral symphony. Finely attuned to the sensual possibilities, both in nature and in cinema.
The 4K digital restoration using the original image negative and the original digital sound master was carried out by the National Film Institute Hungary - Film Archive in 2023, in the frame of the "Long-term restoration programme of the Hungarian film heritage.
Grading supervised by Gergely Pohárnok DP. Sound remastering by Tamás Zányi sound engineer. Hungarian submission to the 2002 Academy Awards.
directed by: György Pálfi starring: Ferenc Bandi, Józsefné Rácz, József Farkas, Ferenc Nagy 2002 / 75 min / 1.85:1 / Hungarian DTS-HD MA 5.1
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
Village Secrets: Making Hukkle - Interview with filmmaker György Pálfi and co-writer Zsófia Ruttkay
A hal (short film)
Shaman vs Icarus (short film)
Theatrical Trailer
Booklet with an essay by Josh Hurtado
Complete Hukkle script
Slipcover art by Aleksander Walijewski
English subtitles
Overall rating: 4.6538463 / 5 from 26 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Hukkle is a unique limited edition slipcover film that stands out for its unconventional storytelling without dialogue. The film, a Hungarian submission to the 2002 Academy Awards, offers a mesmerizing pastoral experience with a 4K digital restoration. It includes additional content such as a making-of featurette, short films, and a booklet with an essay.
Summary topics
Unique Film Experience (56%): A substantial number of customers stated that this film is a unique film that uses no dialogue.
Lack of Dialogue (25%): The feedback is varied, with some praising the film's unique dialogue and others criticizing its lack of dialogue.
"Awesome release with good cinematography and unique dialogue!" — Eli O.
"Hukkle is a mesmerizing, almost wordless Hungarian film that transforms everyday rural life into a hypnotic mystery." — Shawn M.
"The films could not be more different but glad to own such a nice copy of this one—gorgeous slipcover!" — Andrew B.
Reviews
If You Like Béla Tarr But Wish He Was Funnier…
"Then do yourself a favor and get some György Pálfi in your life as soon as possible. Great restoration, and glad this is getting out there in a bigger way. Fantastic booklet essay by Josh Hurtado."
— Maxim P. (5/5)
Visual storytelling
"Hukkle is an unconventional film because it functions almost entirely without spoken dialog. Instead, the meticulous cinematography carries the narrative weight, gradually revealing a grim, underlying murder subplot through careful observation of rural life. A very competent transfer."
— JIN L. (5/5)
A Good Overall Package
"Movie: A unique movie for sure, although definitely a challenge to sit through. Even watching alone w/ no second screen, trying my best to focus on the movie, my mind still wandered off a few times in the first half. Later there are some more interesting developments. Overall not a bad slice of rural life, by which I mean it's like the camera was a knife that sliced through reality as if it were tofu, to serve us up several chunks of observation. Extras: A Hal: I didn't get a lot out of this other than I'm convinced that the titular fish is the protagonist. I did LOL at the (day)dream sequence version of the love interest (and was disappointed that it wasn't how she was actually behaving). I also pointed at the screen when someone mentioned paprika (as is required of all Hungarian films). Shaman vs. Ikarus: This is really fun up until the climax, which is a bit underwhelming. Fun style that mimics comic panels (think Ang Lee's Hulk). Interview: It's in English! This was a nice little chat withe the director and the co-writer. Book: Good essay, but the real gem is the screenplay, which you need to read AFTER watching the movie. It completely unlocked the meaning for me. Packaging: Does the job. I definitely appreciate having the slipcase"
— Gideon M. (4/5)
Farmlife with surprises.
"First movies didn't need dialogue. Director's other movie Taxidermia is one of Ari Aster's favorite movies and even with this it's easy to see why. Instead of conforming to mass appeal a silently packed story about all the living things in the farm can be captivating. Everything is connected."
— Topi B. (4/5)
Foreign experimental cinema
"LOVE these kinds of partner releases. A Y2K Hungarian movie getting proper treatment. We are living in the golden age of physical media"
— Chris T. (5/5)
Nice Partner Label Find!
"Awesome release with good cinematography and unique dialogue!"
— Eli O. (5/5)
A great, underseen arthouse genre piece
"What an incredible, dark, beautiful and unique film. So glad this got a physical release. Loved this film since I saw it on the big screen at the Toronto Film Festival. Super fun!"
— Ryan L. (5/5)
Glad to own
"From the director of the most excellent Taxidermia. The films could not be more different but glad to own such a nice copy of this one—gorgeous slipcover!"
— Andrew B. (5/5)
Hukkle
"Very fascinating and unique film. Recommended."
— Justin M. (4/5)
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