'The Turin Horse' Announced as Hungary's Oscar Entry

The Hungarian Selection Committee for Academy Awards Entry has announced The Turin Horse as the country’s entry in the Foreign Language Film Oscar race.

Directed by Bela Tarr, The Turin Horse was co-produced by Hungary’s T.T. Filmmuhely, France’s MPM Film, Switzerland’s VEGA Film (CH), Germany’s Zero Fiction and the U.S. company WWW and also received financial support from the Motion Picture Public Foundation of Hungary (MMKA), the former Ministry of Education and Culture and the National Cultural Fund of Hungary.

This film tells the story of a farmer and his daughter trying to survive in a desolate landscape after a horse that had provided their livelihood gives up on them. Set in the late 19th century, the story is introduced by a fictional encounter between the farmer and German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche traveling in Italy.

The Turin Horse, Tarr’s eighth full-length feature, stars Erika Bok, Janos Derzsi and Mihaly Kormos. It was premiered as part of the official competition at this year’s Berlinale and collected the Jury Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Prize.

The international sales are handled by Berlin-based Films Boutique. The Turin Horse is expected to be released in the U.S. by Cinema Guild shortly, but a date has not yet been announced.