This is the story of a merchant that takes place in a large marketplace over the period of roughly one decade. After the Second World War, life begins anew, and everything becomes available for sale. With a great bustle, the old market rises again from the ruins, and Monori, the merchant, once again becomes ruler of the roost.
At the height of his manhood, Monori pursues that which he was unable to do during the war, and proceeds to make his fortune. And, like the legendary King Midas, everything he touches turns to gold. Moreover, his only daughter bears him a descendant, a grandson. The merchant then buys the child for him and drives away the son-in-law. When his cherished grandson falls deathly ill, Monori even uses his gold to rescue him from the clutches of the morgue.
New times then emerge. The market suddenly suffers a slump and becomes bleak. During the fifties both money and the legendary power of the merchant lose their former value. Furthermore, gold must be handed over to the state, and those daring to hide it run the risk of harsh punishment. Monori nevertheless hangs on to his precious yellow metal and furtively waits for the world to change. From his market experience he knows that human existence cannot function without some token of exchange, some measure of value. Without such, everything becomes chaotic.
Monori's daughter remarries. One Christmas eve she visits her father and proceeds to blackmail him. She demands the return of the child and threatens to report her father for concealing gold if he does not comply.
Then, in 1956, when armed struggle commences and blood flows in the streets of the city. Monori takes out his concealed wealth and embarks on the last great business venture of his life. He plans to use his gold to help his grandson, daughter and son-in-law flee abroad. With the child at his side and the treasure on his back, he runs from door to door in the midst of the tanks and artillery fire. Once again, he seeks to test the magic yellow metal in which he has trusted all his life and which until then had always brought him redemption.
Please contact Prakash Reddy of the Hyderabad Film Club at 373-0841/373-0265 for further details.
Hungary/1980/color/100min
Script & Direction: Geza Beremenyl
Cast: Karoly Eperjes, Judit Pogany, Barnabes Toth and Andras Pepcile
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