EFF: Orphan

This film is also showing at our sister cinemas, Classic Cinemas and Lido Cinemas

Orphan

Australian & New Zealand Premiere

“Demonstrates once again the Budapest-born helmer’s command of atmosphere and his eye for historical detail.” – Cineuropa

Budapest, 1957. In the shadow of World War II and the recent failed uprising against the Stalinist government, 12-year-old Andor and his mother, Klára, are trying to get by in a damaged, anarchic country where antisemitism is still rife. Andor has grown up idolising his father – assumed to have been killed in the war – through hearing stories of his gentle nature and his work running the local Yiddish theatre. One day, an entitled, brutish butcher named Berend, who boxes and rides a motorcycle, shows up at their door, claiming to be Andor’s real father. Could his claims possibly be true?

Directed by Oscar-winner László Nemes (Son of Saul), this story of teenage rebellion, fractured families and coming-of-age amid a time of great political turmoil is visually rich, captured gorgeously by Nemes’s regular DOP Mátyás Erdély (The Iron Claw). Nemes drew on his own father’s personal childhood to create this tragic and moving chronicle of intergenerational trauma and self-acceptance.

Festivals & Awards

Academy Awards 2026 - Hungary’s submission for Best International Feature Film
Venice Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection
Toronto International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection
BFI London Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection

Rating

Unclassified 18+

Duration

132 min

Country

Hungary, United Kingdom, France, United States

Language

Hungarian (English subtitles)

Cast

Bojtorján Barabas, Gyorgy Bartyik, Andrea Waskovics, Gregory Gadebois, Elíz Szabó, Soma Sándor, Marcin Czarnik

Director

László Nemes