Filmmakers in Focus: Márta Mészáros

Film critic Tara Judah and film scholar Catherine Portuges explore the work of trailblazing Hungarian filmmaker Márta Mészáros.

With a six-decade career focusing on telling women’s stories, Márta Mészáros has an important place in the history of cinema. Throughout her career, she has challenged traditional portrayals of female roles, has had a sharp eye for depicting societal changes, and has often woven in autobiographical elements into her films. This discussion focuses on Mészáros’ three key titles, Riddance (1973), Adoption (1975) and Diary for My Children (1984), all of which are available to watch on BFI Player.

Thank you to the National Film Institute Hungary - Film Archive and the Hungarian Cultural Centre, London for their support.