The animated film „Saffi” will be screened on 21 June 2025 from 18.00 in the exhibition hall of the ELTE University Library and Archives.
Attila Dargay's third hit film, Saffi, based on the short novel The Gypsy Baron by Mór Jókai, tells the story of two lovers' strange encounter in the final days of Turkish occupation. The romantic story, typical of the Dargay tales, is full of charming animal characters and parodic, humorous dialogue. The voice-overs are now cultic: the main characters are voiced by András Kern, Judit Pogány, Hilda Gobbi, György Bárdy, Ferenc Zenthe, László Csákányi and Judit Hernádi. The digital restoration was made in collaboration with Dargay's permanent colleague, cinematographer Irén Henrik.
Our story is set in the 17th century, when the Habsburgs decide to drive the Turks out of Hungary. Sofia, daughter of Ahmed Pasha, and Jonah, son of the Hungarian lord of the castle, Gáspár Botsinkay, had been destined for each other since they were children. During the war, however, the Botsinkay family and the Turk have to flee, so they bury a chest of treasure in the courtyard of Botsinka's castle. The baby Sofia is lost during the escape and is found by a strange old woman who names her after her cat, and loves and nurtures her as if she were her own child. Jonah, a gallant young man, returns to his father's estate and goes in search of the hidden treasure. However, it is not only Jonah who wants to find the treasure, but also the freeloaders.
The dialogues recorded by the pair of József Nepp and József Romhányi are full of anachronistic utterances, as when Puzzola, in his job description, lists film criticism alongside document forgery and poisoning: „I am an intellectual. I do forgery, poisoning, counterfeiting, film criticism...”. However, in keeping with his oeuvre and his philosophy, Dargay renders the unconventional story accessible not only to the forever young adult, but also to little children, with a strong emphasis on comic characters, misunderstandings, intrigue and amusing dialogue.
Venue: ELTE University Library and Archives, Exhibition space
Time: 21 June 2025, 18:00
(English subtitles are provided for the film.)
The screening is organised by the ELTE–NFI University Film Club. After the film screening, starting at 19:30, a discussion will be offered with animator Zsolt Baumgartner, animation director (Four Souls of Kojot), head of animation studio workshop. English interpretation will also be offered for the conversation.
More details about our programmes are available here and on the Night of Museums’ homepage. All visitors are welcome!