So Much for Justice! - Synopsis

feature film-project by Miklós Jancsó

In the 15th century Hungary was one of the most powerful countries in Europe, with a very established economy and a very powerful army which could hold the Turkish Empire back from Europe’s border for more than 100 years.

Unexpectedly a very young noble boy was chosen to become the new king of Hungary.
Can he fulfill the requirements? Does he have to serve those powerful people or can he build up his own new kingdom? How can somebody rule a country and be a humanist at the same time?

Matthias Corvinus was born as the second son of Janos Hunyadi who defeated the Turkish army in Beograd in 1456. Hunyadi died after the battle. Shortly after that his first son was beheaded. The Hungarians wanted to have a new, Hungarian king. A small powerful circle of super-rich people decided to appoint Mátyás Hunyadi (Matthias Corvinus), a teenage boy to become the king.

This is the plot where our story begins: Matthias –captive in Prague- is told that he is chosen. The person who brings him the message is a relative of him from his Transylvanian homeland: Vlad Tepes, who later becomes famous as Count of Drakula.
Vlad stays with him as his advisor, but Matthias doesn‘t really listen: even though he has to rule the country, hold back the Turks, he still wants to remain a humanist king and rule with art and culture.

Humanism and power.

Politics and human emotions.

Matthias doesn’t want to associate with bloody rulers. He wants to reinforce his power with stable financing, instead of reign of terror. A new way of power: ‘I don’t want to have massacre here, so you must give me a lot of money to keep our power’ – he says.

Can he succeed?

Almost he does, but only until he dies. Immediately after his death the country falls apart. His son, János is a bastard and has to escape. The best friend of his father, Kinizsi betrays him and kidnaps his mother.

And what is next?

In the last, very short episode (epilogue) of the film we see the Turks taking over the country and settle down for 150 years.

So, after all, who is right: the humanist politician or the iron-handed ruler? How to handle well the power if we gain it? How to keep it and what are the costs we have to, or might have to pay for it?

‘So Much for Justice!’ is a film in historical set-up with a contemporary meaning from one of Hungary’s most renowned director, Miklós Jancsó.