Werckmeister Harmonies

Yanos works at the post office, is passionate about astronomy, and helps his uncle, a musicologist, with household chores. His uncle is convinced that the musical harmony that arose in the 17th century thanks to the composer Andreas Werkmeister and has persisted to this day is incorrect and false. According to him, if there is no true harmony in music, then there is no harmony in the world, in the existence of an individual, or in the life of a provincial Hungarian town. Yanos sees that an atmosphere of fear, hatred, and madness is thickening around him, and that the city is on the verge of a great inevitable disaster…

From an interview with the director:

— Do you consider yourself a pessimist?

— Not at all! I am happy when someone tells me, "Your film is sad and depressing, but it is full of energy and strength that made me happy." If I were a pessimist, I wouldn't make movies! I would just go and hang myself, as a true pessimist should. But I believe that someone will watch my film in twenty or even fifty years. What is that if not optimism? Especially considering the current state of the world... However, without intending to end my life, I must admit that I am not satisfied with life, the world, or cinema.