"Private Vices, Public Virtues" *** (out of ****)Miklos Jancso was at one time a strong force in Hungarian and world cinema. He is still alive today but his work no longer gains the attention it once did. During his peak years in the 60s and 70s, during the Hungarian New Wave, Jancso received five palme d'or nominations, though never nominated for an Academy Award (the academy simply doesn't like to honor Hungarian cinema).
Jancso's films largely revolve around politics during historical times. Of his major works, they never take place in modern day Hungary. Lots of critics and the public usually interpret Mr. Jancso's films as using historical moments, such as the 1848 revolt against Austria, as Hungarians tried to break free of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as really being commentaries on communism and the uprising in 1956.
There may be some truth to that. Watch his crowning achievement, "The Red & The White (Csillagosok, katonak)", which was filmed 11 years after the revolt and in the Soviet Union! It involves a conflict between the Soviets and the Hungarians. How could such a film not invoke memories of '56?
Jancso is also known for his long steady shots. His films usually avoid being told by any particular character's point of view. He likes long shots for this reason. The viewer takes in the whole picture never quite sure who to follow. In many of his films, I must confess, I don't even know all the characters names.
I give you some of this background information on Mr. Jancso because those unfamiliar with his work, who may decide to see this film, are going to scratch their heads in bewilderment. This is a completely different style of storytelling than most viewers may be prepared to see, but, you must understand, it follows in Mr. Jancso's tradition of filmmaking.
The film has an extremely loose plot. As a result it seems to be about very little. But Mr. Jancso doesn't get his views across by character dialogue. He invokes symbolism. There is a minor story going on concerning Crown Prince Rudolf (Lajos Balazsovits), the Duke (Franco Branciaroli) and the Baroness Mary Vetsera (Therese Ann Savoy). They have been involved in a love triangle but they are all related. The Emperor had a mistress which resulted in the birth of Mary and the Duke. On a separate note this than becomes the fourth Hungarian movie I know of which involves incest. This embarrasses me a little bit, it is going to give people the wrong idea of us.
The Crown Prince and his followers live on a commune, much like the one seen in Jancso's "Meg ker a nep" (which I have also reviewed). They have established their own rules to live by and want nothing to do with the Emperor. It is the Crown Prince's wish to embarrass his father and provoke him to arrest the three of them. The Crown Prince thinks this will never happen however due to the scandal and shame it would cause the family.
Now while "Private Vices, Public Virtues" is typical of Jancso's films it does do something bizarrely different than most of his work and as a result this has caused much controversy. There is an unusual amount of nudity in this film. In fact, nearly every minute of the film has at least one character naked. Jancso seems obsessed with this point. His camera usually follows the characters from the waste down, especially the female characters. But, if it means anything to anyone, he is an equal opportunity offender, giving time to both male and female full frontal nudity. And we do see some strange images. Wild orgies, women masturbating men and even a hermaphrodite (the Mary character).
This will lead some to wonder why? What exactly is Mr. Jancso up to? And it is hard to say. But what I think I picked up on while watching this film is a story about revolt, bringing down the old establishment. The Crown Prince seems to want to have a new kind of living, a new kind of government. But couldn't he have told this story with the characters wearing clothes? Probably. I suppose though some will say the nudity adds to the film's message, causing a break from the expected. Others though say the film is really porn in disguise. I wouldn't go that far.
I went on emotional highs and lows watching this movie. At first I was puzzled by what Jancso was doing. I couldn't quite figure out what he is trying to tell me. Then I began to slowly enjoy it. Its carefree nature had become infectious. It seemed a good representation of the times as far as sexuality is concerned. The film was released in 1976. The characters seem in a sexual revolt more so than a political one.
One thing though did bother me about the film throughout. There is no sense of where we are. The film was not made in Hungary. It is an Italian production. Mr. Jancso did work in Italy for a short while. One of his other Italian films was "The Pacifist" with Monica Vitti, Antonioni's muse, who appeared in his alienation trilogy. And the characters speak in Italian (though the version I saw was dubbed in English). But they sing the German National Anthem. At one point the Crown Prince invites a circus on their farm, which consist of Hungarians, singing and dancing in traditional folk costumes. Are we in Italy? Germany? Hungary? Is this during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire? Since Mr. Jancso doesn't make it clear my only guess is, he doesn't think it is important.
"Private Vice, Public Virtues" also does something unusual for a Jancso film. Mr. Jancso likes to work with non-actors. Here though he uses some professionals. Lajos Balazsovits has worked with Jancso on "Meg ker a nep", "Magyar rapszodia (Hungarian Rhapsody)" and "Szerelmem, Elecktra (Electra, My Love)". He also appeared in Istvan Szabo's "Bizalom (Confidence)" and Karoly Makk's "Egy Erkolcsos ejszakaca (A Very Moral Night)", which I have also reviewed. And Therese Ann Savoy was in "Caligula". Before watching this movie I was afraid this was going to turn into the Hungarian "Caligula".
Everyone is not going to enjoy this movie. Jancso divides his audience. There is a reason he has remained an art house name here in the States. And lets face it, he is completely forgotten about today. With the exception of me, how many other people do you know which write about him? "Private Vices, Public Virtues" is going to be adventurous cinema for lots of viewers. But, I honestly think it is worth watching. It is not one of his great films like "Szegenylegenyek (The Round-Up)", which I have included in my "Masterpiece Film Series" or "The Red & The White (Csillagosok, kaktonak)" but it retains the spirit of his best films. That makes it worth watching.
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