Satantango

If you had asked me before if I would ever watch a 7-hour Hungarian black and white film, I would have probably laughed. But here we are. Sátántangó is a really strange experience. It’s not something you just “watch” like a normal movie it kind of pulls you into its world slowly. The music is great, very simple but it sticks with you and creates this weird, heavy mood. The cinematography is probably the strongest part: long shots, lots of slow movement, and these empty, muddy landscapes that feel almost depressing but also kind of beautiful. That said, some scenes definitely feel stretched out. Like, really stretched. There were moments where I caught myself thinking “okay, I get it already.” But at the same time, I feel like that’s kind of the point. The film takes its time and forces you to sit with it, even when it’s uncomfortable or boring. It’s not an easy watch at all, and I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. But if you’re in the mood for something different and you have the patience, it’s worth trying. I didn’t love every second of it, but I’m glad I watched it it’s the kind of film that stays in your head for a while.