Requiem

Pelle Gulle is a rapist by legal records. No, he had raped a woman; it is true. In the prison, he meets Istavan Hanover, a communist who was put in prison by his own comrades. Pelle Gulle, a man who is ashamed of his ugly looks and inferior character, slowly gets drawn towards Istavan’s life.
Istavan doesn’t hate his rapist co-prisoner. He cannot hate anyone, in fact. Pelle Gulle, in sheer disbelief, listens to how peacefully a man deals with defeat. He realizes it is the vivid memories of Istavan that helps him smile amidst pain and agony.

(Loser’s note: Is memory a recollection of the past? Not exactly. Sometimes, one’s memory can be miles away from the reality of the past. Yes, miles away. When you remember, it is the memory that is real. Not the past. This moment is a ‘different’ memory in the next moment. And that memory is no longer the same in the next moment. Perhaps, our whole life is spent for crafting our memories. Like a writer who surrenders his life to the temptation of letters.)

Istavan Hanover dies in prison. Pelle Gulle gets released. One night, he visits Netti, Istavan’s love who is now married to a professor. It was Istavan who had asked him to meet Netti. Though he goes to Netti’s place as a messenger, it was more like a spiritual journey for Pelle Gulle.
Netti feels that his gestures, speech and even the awkward manner of eating the omelet, resembled Istavan Hanover. They share their memories, almost in silence. Eventually, Netti’s words and touch release Pelle Gulle from the prison of self-pity and guiltiness forever.
This is the story of Requiem, a film by Soltan Fabri, the Hungarian maestro. Both Pelle Gulle and Istavan Hanover are losers. Netti is a loser too. The difference lies in the ways they perceive life. One could be a Pelle Gulle in search of Istavan. Or, an Istavan whose agonized smile can change a man’s destiny.
By the way, I saw this movie when I was 17. Since then, I live in my memories. Or, I realized it is the memories we actually live in. The film taught me how to love life despite the setbacks it offers. Like pampering a painful wound.