Two men (Mihály Vig, Putyi Horváth), who were believed to be dead, suddenly return to a small Hungarian village, offering to start a new collective, if everybody gives them their money.

Based on a novel written during Hungary’s Communist era, this seven-hour (!) epic at times comes across as a parody of art-house cinema, with its achingly long takes and rainy, black-and-white cinematography.

Recognized by many critics as Béla Tarr’s masterpiece, it has a few striking moments, but needed a more convincing lead actor as the dangerously charismatic Irimiás.

1994-Hungary-Germany-Switzerland. 439 min. B/W. Directed by Béla Tarr. Screenplay: László Krasznahorkai, Béla Tarr. Novel: László Krasznahorkai. Cinematography: Gábor Medvigy. Music: Mihály Vig. Cast: Mihály Vig (Irimiás), Putyi Horváth (Petrina), László feLugossy (Schmidt), Éva Almássy, János Derzsi, Irén Szajki.

Trivia: Alternative title: Satan’s Tango.