Private Project

SATAN

An overworked and under-appreciated cook conspires with his colleague against their chef in Hungary's most prestigious kitchen. Frustration, terror, and beetroot puree collide in SÁTÁN, a high-wire tale that explores the cost of extreme devotion.

  • Marcell Belső
    Director
  • Arion Csihar
    Director
  • Marcell Belső
    Writer
  • Tímea Huszár
    Producer
  • Marcell Patkós
    Key Cast
  • Eszter Ónodi
    Key Cast
  • Péter Gula
    Key Cast
  • Gábor Nagypál
    Key Cast
  • Bea Trill
    Key Cast
  • Benett Vilmányi
    Key Cast
  • Tulián Aczél
    Key Cast
  • Attila Balázs
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    SÁTÁN
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Black Comedy, suspense, satire, thriller
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 20, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Hungary
  • Country of Filming:
    Hungary
  • Language:
    Hungarian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Budapesti Metropolitan Egyetem
Director Biography - Marcell Belső, Arion Csihar

Hungarian-born filmmakers Marcell Belső and Arion Csihar have established themselves as a creative duo with a unique voice, marked by their love for tense, often shocking storytelling. Marcell has worked alongside major genre directors such as Alik Sakharov (The Witcher) and Brad Anderson (Treadstone) and Jonathan Liebesman (Halo) before directing award-winning shorts like The Miracle, a neo-western black comedy that made waves on the festival circuit.

Arion, meanwhile, gained attention with his 2017 short Fresh Meat, a satirical look at a dystopia where eating meat is banned. His work as a director is complemented by his acting, including his portrayal of his father, Attila Csihar, in Jonas Åkerlund’s Lords of Chaos (2018). Arion has also worked on major U.S. productions like The Witcher, Moonknight, and Dune: Part Two as an assistant director and personal assistant.

Marcell and Arion co-wrote the feature Soul Park, currently streaming on HBO Max.

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Director Statement

SÁTÁN is essentially about dreams and the extent to which one is willing to go to achieve them - a theme mirrored in the journey we underwent to make the film a reality, including the challenges we faced in securing the participation of some of the most acclaimed actors and the first Michelin star kitchen in Hungary. The film depicts the story of a cook striving for recognition but facing disappointment, a relatable experience for anyone willing to challenge themselves.

We became friends in college and found common creative ground in our belief that suspense and bizarre twists are the cornerstones of a captivating film experience. Our goal with SÁTÁN was to create a story that is equal parts sinister and ridiculous, with a gripping and tense atmosphere that makes the audience feel as uncomfortable as possible. We have a passion for metal music and discovered that it can serve as a powerful tool for adding to the feeling of unease. We believe that the audience's discomfort amplifies the tension and reinforces the film's themes, making them more impactful.

The film explores the perils of excessive devotion and toxic mentor-mentee dynamics, which can result in self-destructive behaviour such as neglecting one's health and personal relationships, and even causing harm to oneself and others. Our desire to impress and earn approval from our role models can cause us to tolerate substantial abuse. The boundary between love and hate becomes paradoxically subtle.

We found that having two directors on the project was advantageous. The ability to constantly bounce ideas off each other and to question each other's perspectives was incredibly valuable and infused the project with fresh creative energy. It was also a lot of fun.