Sunshine (1999)

The fate of a Hungarian Jewish family throughout the 20th century.

Director:

István Szabó

Writers:

István Szabó (story), István Szabó (screenplay),

Stars:

Ralph Fiennes, Rosemary Harris, Rachel Weisz

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Fiennes	...	Ignatz Sonnenschein / Adam Sors / Ivan Sors
Rosemary Harris	...	Valerie Sors
Rachel Weisz	...	Greta
Jennifer Ehle	...	Valerie Sonnenschein
Deborah Kara Unger	...	Maj. Carole Kovács
Molly Parker	...	Hannah Wippler
James Frain	...	Gustave Sonnenschein
David de Keyser	...	Emmanuel Sonnenschein
John Neville	...	Gustave Sors
Miriam Margolyes	...	Rose Sonnenschein
Rüdiger Vogler	...	Gen. Jakofalvy
Mark Strong	...	István Sors
Bill Paterson	...	Minister of Justice
Trevor Peacock	...	Comrade Gen. Kope
Hanns Zischler	...	Baron Margitta

Storyline

The film follows a Jewish family living in Hungary through three generations, rising from humble beginnings to positions of wealth and power in the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire. The patriarch becomes a prominent judge but is torn when his government sanctions anti-Jewish persecutions. His son converts to Christianity to advance his career as a champion fencer and Olympic hero, but is caught up in the Holocaust. Finally, the grandson, after surviving war, revolution, loss and betrayal, realizes that his ultimate allegiance must be to himself and his heritage.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | hero | power | fate | empire | 

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Taglines:

En skæbnefortælling om tre generationer i kamp for at overleve. [Denmark]

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, and for violence, language and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Hungarian Official Site (Intercom) Metropolitan Filmexport

Country:

Germany Austria Canada Hungary

Language:

English French

Release Date:

17 December 1999 (Canada)

Also Known As:

The Taste of Sunshine

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$84,869 (USA) (9 June 2000)

Gross:

$5,095,981 (USA) (2 February 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Bavaria Film and Television Fund, Channel Four Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

181 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2008, Mark Strong appeared in a completely unrelated film also titled Sunshine.

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Goofs

When fencing for the gold medal, Adam Sors' opponent has his foot way across the line at the start. This would never be allowed at the Olympics.

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Quotes

Valerie: I have seen the collapse of government after government, and they all think they can last a thousand years. Each new one always declares the last one criminal and corrupt, and always promises a future of justice and freedom.

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Connections

References Citizen Kane (1941)

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Soundtracks

"Hungarian National Anthem"
Written by Ferenc Erkel, Kölcsey
Performed by Vám és Pénzügyörség Zenekara

User Reviews

Significant, powerful, and brilliantly/beautifully executed

One of the best films I've seen in many years. Long by current standards, but my interest/involvement never lagged for a moment. It works on many levels, all of which examine and ultimately show the futility of assimilation, given how unstable and unreliable is any governmental structure with which one attempts to identify. Effort to assimilate across generations in Hungary becomes increasingly demanding as the lived world becomes ever more dehumanizing and brutal. Fiennes has never been better in cross-generational roles, and others excellent as well. But a woman is the censor and conscience across time.