Wall Driller (directed by György Szomjas, 1986)

The ELTE–NFI University Film Club screening and discussion series continues. We welcome university members from all ELTE faculties.

A cult film about life in public housing estates and that quintessentially Hungarian spirit of resourcefulness, which manifests itself in scheming and finding loopholes. Our protagonist, Géza, announces to his wife at home that the time has come for him to start his own business, and he decides to become a wall driller. He buys a drill and drills holes in the concrete walls of apartments in the housing complex, according to the requests of the homeowners who hire him. He takes orders at the café, where many expectant mothers pass the time.

Today, The Wall Driller is more than just a historical document of 1980s Hungary. As we laugh at the situations, the world in which everyone is trying to get by – with varying degrees of success – may feel increasingly uncomfortably familiar.

 

Date: September 30, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

Venue: ELTE University Library and Archives, community space (Budapest, 1053 Ferenciek tere 6, ground floor)

 

Director: György Szomjas

Screenwriters: Ferenc Grunwalsky, Ibolya Fekete, György Szomjas

Cinematographer: Ferenc Grunwalsky

Editor: Anna Kornis

Music: János Karácsony

Cast: János Bán, Ági Szirtes, Renáta Szatler, Éva Tóth, Péter Andorai, Dénes Ujlaki.

 

Our guests during the post-screening discussion are Ibolya Fekete, one of the film’s screenwriters and Béla Balázs Award-winning film director; as well as János Bán, a Jászai Mari Award-winning actor, a Meritorious and Outstanding Artist, a founding member of the Katona József Theater, and the film’s lead actor.

 

Fekete Ibolya
          Ibolya Fekete
Bán János
              János Bán

 

 

Due to limited seating, we ask that you register in advance at https://www.ajk.elte.hu/falfuro-1986.

The organisers welcome any correspondence regarding the film club at eltenfi.filmklub@elte.hu.

ELTE–NFI Film Club Facebook page

 

Source/author of illustration:
National Film Institute