"We filmmakers, sometimes we forget the power of sound to create atmospheres and more often we use it in a predictable way. There's a tremendous originality and risk in the experimental and original way this film builds up its somber narration around its powerful sound design," the Berlinale jury said.
Erdélyi stressed that it was just a matter of chance that he accepted the award personally, as it acknowledged the collective effort of all of his colleagues, especially sound engineer György Kovács.
Erdélyi said the film was "born of the heart, as it was underfinanced to the point of embarrassment".
Strickland, who lives in Hungary, scouted locations for the film in Transylvania for five years, reportedly using family heirlooms to fund the process.
"The film speaks about Hungarian culture, about Hungarian people living in Transylvania, who speak Hungarian in the film. They guard their Hungarian identity there," Erdélyi said.
Photo: epa
