World Sales
Opium
2007
Director
János Szász
Writers
Géza Csáth (diaries)
András Szekér (writer)
Cast
Ulrich Thomsen
Kirsti Stubø
Zsolt László
Enikö Börcsök
OPIUM chronicles the life of Doctor Brenner (Ulrich Thomsen), whose reputation for both his literary work and his breakthrough approach to working with the mentally ill is compromised by his consuming morphine habit and sexual addiction.
Gradually ostracized by his more mainstream colleagues, Brenner takes up a new post at an isolated mental asylum where he develops a growing obsession with his patient Gizella (Kirsti Stubo).
An illicit bond between doctor and patient leads to a destructive and taboo meeting of body and mind as Brenner finds in Gizella the voice he has lost as a writer. Realizing that his own insatiable appetite for knowledge and power cannot co-exist with his desire and lust for Gizella, he is forced to make a choice which will cost her her last tenuous hold on sanity and ultimately her life.
“Szász, undoubtedly one of the most gifted Hungarian film-makers of his generation...” Dan Fainaru, Screen International
“OPIUM from Hungarian director Szász, is the kind of high-gloss intellectual drama that buyers ... go mad for” Scott Roxborough, Hollywood Reporter
“Distinctive blend of implied horror and arthouse gravitas will propel it to high-profile fest berths” Eddie Cockrell, Variety
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Winner – International Critics’ Prize for Best Picture
Budapest Film Festival -
Winner – Best Director
Budapest Film Festival -
Winner – Best Cinematographer
Budapest Film Festival -
Winner – Best Sound
Budapest Film Festival -
Winner – Best Actress - Kirsti Stubo
Moscow International Film Festival