The enigmatic Hungarian title means something like “And people still ask” - taken from a stanza by the poet Sándor Petrõfi, in recollection of the 1848 revolt in which he participated. The international title, Red Psalm, more directly alludes to Jancsó's intentions: a ritualistic epic about socialist movements in 19th century Hungary. Filmed in just 26 shots, this “historical musical” proposes a hyper-stylized reenactment of the revolts and oppressions that built a country. For many, this is the filmmaker’s most beautiful film.
Red Psalm won the Best Director award at Cannes Film Festival in 1972. A new digital restoration of the film will be screened, in 4K.