The Midas Touch - A Hungarian Film By Geza Beremenyi: Events in Hyderabad

King Midas possessed the touch of gold. Or did the touch of gold possess King Midas?

The story takes place in the flea-markets of Teleki square, Budapest, 1945-56. After the World War, the market rises again from the ruins. Monori the merchant, king of the market, starts anew. He is at the pinnacle of success. Just like King Midas, whatever he touches turns to gold. His daughter bears him a grandson. He buys the child for himself, pays in gold, and raises him. The boy catches diphtheria; Monori rescues him even from the morgue, again for gold.

Suddenly, the market becomes bleak; all gold must be handed over to the state. Monori hides his, risking harsh punishment, and lies in waiting. His daughter blackmails him; she will report him to the police if he doesn't give back the child.

Monori would rather give up his beloved grandson than his gold. In 1956, blood flows in the streets of the city. Monori recovers his hidden treasure and gives the biggest transaction of his life a try; he's going to try to help his grandson, daughter and son-in-law escape the country.

He runs from door to door, house to house in the midst of gunfire, with the gold in his knapsack. He's going to put the magical yellow metal to test once more.

The film will be screened at Sri Sarathi Studios, on the 28th of April, at 6:30pm. It is 110 minutes long and is directed by Geza Beremenyi. The cast consists of Karoly Eperjes, Judit Pogany, Barnabas Toth and Andras Pacsik. The film collected awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actor at The National Film Festival.

Please contact Prakash Reddy of Hyderabad Film Club at 2373-0841/93910-20243 for further details.