- Director
Eszter Nordin - Producer
Eszter Nordin - Production company
Media Mania Films - Director of photography
Zsolt Tóth - Editor
Anna Kornis
Taboo
Tabu, Hungary, 2003, 75 min, DV
The subject of this 75-minutes documentary, as the title suggests, is still taboo: the sexuality of the mentally disabled.
There are many misconceptions and prejudices surrounding this sensitive issue and the aim of this film is to openly present the situation, through the lives of those who are touched by or those who are, themselves disabled.
The documentary, shot in the spring and early summer of 2002 in Hungary, features the inmates of seven different institutions caring for the mentally handicapped, as well as their parents, nurses, psychiatrists, and heads of the institutions. Many people today would hold the view, that sexuality and experiencing emotion require some kind of “normal” mental ability. Talking to several couples in our film, this concept is proven not to be the case. Sexuality manifests itself differently, from one individual to another, depending on their level of disability and psychosexual development. How they can express their sexuality will depend a great deal on the environment in which they are brought up and live today. The institutions we chose represent different approaches to caring for the mentally disabled and to dealing with their sexuality. There are many unusual couples and situations in our documentary, and it was surprising even for the filmmakers how frankly and openly they spoke about their lives.
There are many misconceptions and prejudices surrounding this sensitive issue and the aim of this film is to openly present the situation, through the lives of those who are touched by or those who are, themselves disabled.
The documentary, shot in the spring and early summer of 2002 in Hungary, features the inmates of seven different institutions caring for the mentally handicapped, as well as their parents, nurses, psychiatrists, and heads of the institutions. Many people today would hold the view, that sexuality and experiencing emotion require some kind of “normal” mental ability. Talking to several couples in our film, this concept is proven not to be the case. Sexuality manifests itself differently, from one individual to another, depending on their level of disability and psychosexual development. How they can express their sexuality will depend a great deal on the environment in which they are brought up and live today. The institutions we chose represent different approaches to caring for the mentally disabled and to dealing with their sexuality. There are many unusual couples and situations in our documentary, and it was surprising even for the filmmakers how frankly and openly they spoke about their lives.
Director:
Eszter Nordin
Producer:
Eszter Nordin
Director of photography:
Zsolt Tóth
Editor:
Anna Kornis
Sound:
Róbert Juhász
Music:
Dániel Gryllus
Languages:
Hungarian
Subtitles:
?
Media Mania Films
77 Budakeszi ut
1021 Budapest, Hungary
1021 Budapest, Hungary
Special Mention -
San Francisco Golden Gate 2003
Silver Remi Award - Houston Worldfest 2003
Special Prize - Biarritz FIPA 2003
Silver Remi Award - Houston Worldfest 2003
Special Prize - Biarritz FIPA 2003
