Taxidermia (2006)

A story about food, sex, vomit, and the socio-political history of Hungary. Listen in as me and my guest, Jan-David, talk through this delightfully strange and critically acclaimed foreign film. Written and directed by György Pálfi (His Master's Voice, Free Fall, Hukkle), the Los Angeles Times called it a "grotesquely bizarre allegory on life in Hungary" and Film Threat said it was "a devious little nightmare." All are correct, but there is more to this Hungarian-Austrian-French cinematic collaboration than strange and freakish sights. Within there is a moving story about love, life, desire for acceptance, belonging, and dealing with the sins of the father -- you just need to look past the surprising amount of vomit and fire-breathing dicks to see it. It tells the story of three generations of men from World War II to present day, starting with the hapless and bullied soldier Morosgoványi Vendel, followed by competitive speed eater Balatony Kálmán, and finally his taxidermist son Balatony Lajoska. Follow as the lives of these men are equal parts guided by their choices, the socio-political climate of the times, and fate itself. What follows offers a glimpse into life from a small village home where leering eyes watch bathroom activities to living in the big city where the pressures of the past and present weigh heavier and heavier with each passing day. While not exactly graphic (until the final 15 minutes), this film does have some visuals that are as equally compelling as they are disturbing. This is European surrealism at it's finest, folks! The film is currently available on HereTV via Amazon Prime and DVD.