Directed by Róbert Pajer and written by Sándor Fábry, László Garaczi, and Róbert Pajer, “Hell With It” is a hilarious and thought-provoking Hungarian film based on a story by Róbert Pajer and András B. Vágvölgyi. The film tells the story of the Devil and her assistant, Maxwell, who visit Budapest in 1990 with a peculiar mission: to retrieve a life elixir and its recipe from the eccentric Ármin Jambus Professor else hell would go completely empty.
The fantastic cast, led by the era’s creme of the top. Irén Psota, Sándor Gáspár and the young Zoltán Bezerédi, deliver exceptional performances. What makes this film timeless is its wicked humor and intelligent script. Drawing inspiration from Bulgakov and Gogol, the story presents the world’s chaos and absurdity through a series of dynamic vignettes and quirky plotlines. As seemingly ordinary characters (from plumber to policeman) descend into madness and criminality, the supernatural takes center stage. Things go down quickly if you sell your soul to the Devil, you know?
The narrative finds its footing and flows beautifully once the viewer becomes immersed in the movie’s vibe.
Hell With It. Source: IMDB
Shot on 35mm, “Hell With It” boasts a rich texture and stunning visuals (think those shots in and around the mansion, nature, etc.) thanks to cinematographer B. Marton Frigyes, a frequent collaborator of Pajer. The film’s distinct aesthetic and confident direction reflect Pajer’s experience in TV, commercials, and satirical dark feature films („Mami blú” is another must-see of his). Produced by Péter Bacsó, Ferenc András, and Jolán Árvai, this movie is perfect for unwinding after a long, chaotic week in our strange world.
Still to this day,”Hell With It” offers a fresh perspective and encourages laughter at life’s absurdities, as Imre Madách once said, “You think this is a tragedy. Regard it as a comedy instead: it will amuse you.”
~ by Dora Endre ~
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