PAYING A VISIT TO FORTUNA

Incredible story of a middle aged couple with an almost fairy-tale-like scenario from rags to riches. Director Matyas Kalman stayed close with the family for almost four years, filming them from a non-judgemental distance and observing their highs, their lows and their deeply touching emotional connection to each other.

FORTUNA VENDEGEI

Hungary, Croatia | 2022 | 74 min

PRODUCTION: Matyas Kalman – COLLOC Productions; Agnes Horvath-Szabo – ELF Pictures; Peglanje Snova, Kompot

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Matyas Kalman

EDITING: Ivor Sonje

SOUND: Luka Gamulic

MUSIC: Matej Merlic

Synopsis

The documentary follows Aniko and Laci, two impoverished people whose fortune, or rather the sheer lack of it, changed fundamentally in 2013 following a big lottery win. Having lived a life of poverty, trauma and depression, the course of their existence changes in the blink of an eye when they win a 2 million euro lottery prize. But will money buy them happiness? They dive into a life of luxury, with mansions, pools, fancy cars, driver and real estate investments. And they do so with undoubted love and commitment to each other. But the lifestyle changes that big money brings with it slowly start to drift the couple apart. For her, cash is empowering and an opportunity to be an entrepreneur. While for him, prosperity is the privilege of not working, the freedom to finally go discover the world. 

The screening will be followed by Q&A with director Matyas Kalman.