On Body and Soul is the impeccably crafted winner of the 2017 Berlin Film Festival and an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. Is it possible that two people dream the same dream? And meet each other in that same dream? This unique drama directed by Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi studies this possibility against the unlikely backdrop of a slaughterhouse. Middle-aged, inconspicuous manager Endre (Géza Morcsányi) can’t help but noticing a new girl at work, Maria (Alexandra Borbély), the abattoir’s new hygiene manager. They fall in love, but not, as you might suspect, during a fateful mandatory hygiene inspection, but in their dreams—in the shape of two deer in a mysterious, snow-covered forest. The Hungarian director had taken an 18-year break from making movies, which was probably the prerequisite for making something as striking and unconventional as On Body and Soul.
"Mad, singular and heart-stirring in a way that's hard to comprehend."
— David Jenkins
"Enyedi handles this hesitant, tentatively developing relationship with quiet subtlety, often depicting her solitary pair in their respective apartments with through-window night shots that recall the paintings of Edward Hopper."
— Philip Kemp
Two introverted people find out by pure chance that they share the same dream every night. They are puzzled, incredulous, a bit frightened. As they hesitantly accept this strange coincidence, they try to recreate in broad daylight what happens in their dream.
Other
1 nomination
An original and moving film! It’s a beautiful love story portrayed with a poetic direction. I saw it in the theater and was completely transported by the atmosphere created by the director. I hope that translates on a small screen.
Slow but steady pace of the beating heart throughout. Primal and gentle animal consciousness alerts us, the viewer, to simplicities we humans insist on making complex. Watch to the end, no matter what. Deeply satisfying, this magnificent creation.
Just beautiful. The best movie I have watched in a long time. Original story and such pure emotions. A real human connection.
Lovely music too, have been listening to it in a loop.