Synopsis

The film is set in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, in the 90s after the fall of the Communist regime (1989). The principal protagonists, Emma and Böbe, are friends who live in Budapest and have many things in common; they are both country girls living in the city, they are both Russian teachers who work in the same school. Having no apartment they live together in a hall of residence for teachers. Emma has a sexual relationship with the Headmaster of the school, who, whilst clearly attracted to Emma, doesn't want to upset the security provided by his boring marriage. He doesn't want the affair to change his comfortable existence.

The change of regime and the change in political direction has its effects on state education. The teaching of Russian, compulsory for 40 years, becomes surplus to requirement, as do the teachers, because no-one wants to learn it any more. The Russian language is seen as synonymous with the hated and recently overthrown Russian political power. Both girls are plunged into total insecurity and choose different ways forward. Emma tries to become qualified as an English teacher, whilst Böbe chooses a completely different route. She believes that this world is ruled by money. She puts a price on the only thing she has, her body. Emma finds this out only when Böbe is arrested by the police for illegal prostitution and currency fraud. It comes as a great shock to Emma. Their chosen ways forward are diametrically opposed; Emma attempts to hold on to her principals at all cost; Böbe submits pragmatically to the harsh and cynical realities of life. The director's message is to be found in the ending of the film; Böbe, freed from prison, unable to find herself, broken by the harsh realities of life, commits suicide. Emma never loses her integrity, maintains her identity and is able to struggle on in the harsh realities of everyday life.

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