Vacancy, which is Antal's first film shot entirely in the US, opens in American theatres on Friday. Antal's debut, Kontroll, was shot on the Budapest underground and quickly became an art house favourite.
Reviewers who have seen early screenings of Vacancy have praised the film, though some say it pushes the limit.
The film tells the story of a couple who check into a hotel room only to find they have been trapped to become the next "stars" of a snuff film. The film stars Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson. Antal earlier told the Hungarian News Agency that the film had been made on a budget of USD 19 million.
Mike Goodridge of Screen Daily, who was a jury member at this year's Hungarian Film Week writes that "Antal, who made an international impression with his stylish Kontroll in 2003, makes a satisfying Hollywood debut with this tight, intense genre thriller that should be a tidy earner for Sony Pictures."
"Screen Gems has proven its skill at releasing genre pictures like Vacancy - Underworld, Resident Evil - and should score a sizeable domestic opening, ensuring a very healthy ancillary life," he adds.
Others, however, criticise Antal for excessive use of violence. John Anderson of Variety expressed concern about cruelty displayed in the film, and Christy Lemire of Associated Press went so far as to call it "misogynistic."
In spite of the critics, Screen Gems has already signed for Antal for another full-length feature film to be shot in the US. The film, entitled Armoured, is about an armoured truck heist which turns out to be an inside job. The screenplay for the project was written by James V. Simpson. Shooting is scheduled to start this autumn.
Source: port.hu
To read the reviews of Antal's latest film visit:
