Experiencing Interruptions?

Break

In the break between two classes, István, the headmaster of the school meets two parents in his office. They want to take their son out of school, so that the boy can make some money for the family. István regards the case just another task that he needs to get over with, so he finishes the paperwork without asking Zoli (16) even one question. Although one of Zoli’s teachers tries to convince István that he boy deserves to complete his studies, the headmaster is reluctant to help the boy.

  • Levente Kölcsey
    Director
  • Levente Kölcsey
    Writer
  • Balázs Zachar
    Producer
  • Levente Kölcsey
    Producer
  • Judit Romwalter
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 15, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    Hungary
  • Country of Filming:
    Hungary
  • Language:
    Hungarian
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Alexa
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Locarno Film Festival
    Locarno
    Switzerland
    August 5, 2020
    World premiere
    Official Selection - Pardi di Domani
  • Friss Hús Short Film Festival
    Budapest
    Hungary
    September 15, 2020
    Best Live Action Short Film
  • 28. Alter - native Film Festival
    Targu Mures
    Romania
    October 7, 2020
    Main award
  • Cineast Film Festival
    Luxembourg
    Luxembourg
    September 15, 2020
Director Biography - Levente Kölcsey

Levente Kölcsey was born in Pécs, Hungary in 1988. He started to work as an assistant director in Hungarian and international productions, and he graduated at the University of Theatre and Film Arts, Budapest in 2017. His graduation film, “Come by Chance” premiered at the Sarajevo International Film Festival. “Break” is his third short film.

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Director Statement

The idea of this film came to me when I learnt that a new law was passed in Hungary to lower the age of compulsory school education to sixteen years, which caused thousands of students dropping out of school ever since. These kids typically come from unprivileged backgrounds, who are sent to work instead of finishing school thus helping their families’ scarce financial situation.
The lead character of the film is the headmaster who is the representative of the system. He has the final word and the right to finalise the request. István isn’t particularly ambitious and he puts his personal comfort above anything. Zoli's case is overshadowed by the problem of the missing neon lights at the school. My goal was to raise questions about István’s responsibility for the change in Zoli’s life. On what grounds does the headmaster decide who is worthy of help and who is not? Is he responsible for the boy’s life or is he also just a victim of the system, like Zoli?
The film is set in real-time, through which I would like to reflect on what is happening with us today. The title "Break" refers to the break between two classes, and also to the break in Zoli’s life. We don’t know whether this break in his life is final, whether the damage is irreparable or is there a chance to mend what has been broken by people who proved to be indifferent about his future. In the end, the window breaks as well, the stone flies towards the camera lens, towards us, who witness all of this without doing anything against it.