Director Kristóf Deák makes very good use of the children without becoming over-sentimental in this story of what happens when a choral teacher bent on winning an important prize tells some of the children to just not sing. Elementary solidarity! One small correction to an earlier reviewer, the film takes place not in a girls' school, but a regular school, and the chorus members are both boys and girls.
14 Reviews
Despite appearances, this film has a lot to say and offers considerable depth.
planktonrules11 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Zsofi is an elementary school-aged girl and she's excited to be going to a new school after she discovers they have one of the best children's choirs in the country. She also soon makes a friend and everything looks just fine. However, after going to the choir, the teacher in charge meets with her privately and tells her something shocking
.her voice isn't any good and she may remain in the choir if she agrees to only mime instead of actually singing! Naturally, the child is heartbroken
and she does have a lovely voice. There is just something wrong with this teacher, with her win at all costs attitude, and the choir is about to compete in a very prestigious contest.
The acting was excellent in this film, as it's difficult to get good and believable performances out of children. However, the Hungarian actors all do a terrific job and the film works very well. It's an exceptional little drama spiced up with a bit of a comedy. This was probably my favorite of the films to watch and the easiest one to like .and it has some interesting messages that give it added depth.
The acting was excellent in this film, as it's difficult to get good and believable performances out of children. However, the Hungarian actors all do a terrific job and the film works very well. It's an exceptional little drama spiced up with a bit of a comedy. This was probably my favorite of the films to watch and the easiest one to like .and it has some interesting messages that give it added depth.
The most effective short movie what I ever seen
MrHerculePoirot5 March 2018
This movie of Deák Kristóf seems to be a simple, cute story what is lacking all of valid content, and I though that too before I watched this movie. But it is not a simple, cute story what is lacking all of valid content, it is just cute and simple. Regardless it's cuteness it has got a critics of most of education system on the world, because most of them doom that - excluding the most extremist cases - every children has got a potential to learn anything they want. And this movie answers that if it is true or not, and that how it effect to the hierarchy between the children, the self-esteem of them and how it effects to the power of the teacher.
That was the movie what gives back my trust towards the Hungarian movies
Sorry for my bad English
That was the movie what gives back my trust towards the Hungarian movies
Sorry for my bad English
So Much Entertainment & Wisdom Packed Into 25minutes!!!
nycboer27 February 2017
This beautiful short film has it ALL--a child's point of view, gorgeous music, great cinematography, brilliant and beautiful actors and a surprise ending. It is like reading a short story by O. Henry and watching all the characters unfold while feeling great attachment for some and disdain for others. I have never seen a Hungarian film prior to this one and "Mindenki aka Sing" was certainly a wonderful introduction. It is a film that I'd be willing to watch again and that everyone should experience at least once.
Effortless Filmmaking
OttoVonB28 January 2017
Mindenki transports us to a strict girl's school in Hungary, where our newcomer protagonist tries out for the renowned choir. Only there's a catch, and the reason she ends up making the list turns out to be a bit disturbing. To say more would be to spoil the story.
Like all art-forms, cinema has its fair share of "golden rules" aimed at steering filmmakers clear of potentially catastrophic mistakes: don't shoot at sea, don't use animals, don't use children... The secret being that if you can transcend the challenges each rule poses, you can make a film that is pure magic. Director Kristof Deak's cast is almost exclusively comprised of 10-11 year-old girls, and he plays them like an elite orchestra. Because the performances are so pure and natural, the storytelling so liquid, this comes across as effortless filmmaking, when in fact it pulls off some of the craft's most daunting challenges.
It will be very interesting to see what Deak and co do next, especially after whatever happens on Oscar Night where, if there is any justice, this little gem will walk away with a little golden statue.
Like all art-forms, cinema has its fair share of "golden rules" aimed at steering filmmakers clear of potentially catastrophic mistakes: don't shoot at sea, don't use animals, don't use children... The secret being that if you can transcend the challenges each rule poses, you can make a film that is pure magic. Director Kristof Deak's cast is almost exclusively comprised of 10-11 year-old girls, and he plays them like an elite orchestra. Because the performances are so pure and natural, the storytelling so liquid, this comes across as effortless filmmaking, when in fact it pulls off some of the craft's most daunting challenges.
It will be very interesting to see what Deak and co do next, especially after whatever happens on Oscar Night where, if there is any justice, this little gem will walk away with a little golden statue.
Things do not necessarily have to be long to make a significant impact
macilany27 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Mindenki is about a school that could be anywhere in Hungary. There are motivated, but never- good-enough students, resigned and/or ambitious teachers, and kids, who just want to be heard. After being educated in Hungary, the movie reminds me of my childhood - it's adorable, it's pure, it's real, but you can feel that deep down, lives, dreams and childhoods are being destroyed.
Mindenki is also about a nation. A nation, where people are motivated, but resigned and/or ambitious teachers, and the you-are-never-good-enough attitude destroys dreams, childhoods and lives, and where people just want to be heard.
Mindenki is also about all of us. About our dreams, our fears, our childhood and our daily struggles. And about the fact that once we are united, our voices can be hear - even when we are silent.
Mindenki is also about a nation. A nation, where people are motivated, but resigned and/or ambitious teachers, and the you-are-never-good-enough attitude destroys dreams, childhoods and lives, and where people just want to be heard.
Mindenki is also about all of us. About our dreams, our fears, our childhood and our daily struggles. And about the fact that once we are united, our voices can be hear - even when we are silent.
Charming Film with a Message
Michael_Elliott26 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Mindenki (2016)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Zsofi (Dorka Gasparfalvi) arrives at a new school where she joins the choir, which is considered to be one of the very best in the country. After her first day of practice the teacher holds her after class and tells her that she's not quite good enough to be singing so she wants her to just move her mouth. Soon Zsofi tells a friend what the teacher told her and before long more secrets come out about the teacher.
MINDENKI was Hungary's entry for the Best Live Action short. It's certainly a charming little picture that has a nice story to it, some great performances as well as a terrific pay-off that makes it worth watching. There are several very good moments in the film but there's no question the highlight comes at the very end but I certainly won't spoil it. I really liked the performance by Gasparfalvi but also that of Zsófia Szamosi who plays the teacher. The film certainly has a message to get across and it does so in a fun way.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Zsofi (Dorka Gasparfalvi) arrives at a new school where she joins the choir, which is considered to be one of the very best in the country. After her first day of practice the teacher holds her after class and tells her that she's not quite good enough to be singing so she wants her to just move her mouth. Soon Zsofi tells a friend what the teacher told her and before long more secrets come out about the teacher.
MINDENKI was Hungary's entry for the Best Live Action short. It's certainly a charming little picture that has a nice story to it, some great performances as well as a terrific pay-off that makes it worth watching. There are several very good moments in the film but there's no question the highlight comes at the very end but I certainly won't spoil it. I really liked the performance by Gasparfalvi but also that of Zsófia Szamosi who plays the teacher. The film certainly has a message to get across and it does so in a fun way.
A beautiful look into the voices of children, and the moral compass of a brave and loyal girl.
ReviewingHistory23 June 2020
Mindenki ("Sing") offers a window into the heart and soul of a friendship and loyalty, of fairness and justice through the eyes of a young Hungarian girl. The film does beautifully with its use of choir and music, thus reinforcing emotions and the gravitas to the symbolism and tension between silence and freedom of speech, a theme that runs implicitly through the film. And still, "Sing" also offers a sweet, reminiscent look into child's play and the power of art and of fairness as primary for children. A beautiful, must-see, and redemptive film, sure to touch any or all who have also felt silenced and who needed a friend at times. A joy and a masterpiece of Hungarian cinema.
Giving a voice to the less privileged
Horst_In_Translation9 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Mindenki" or "Sing" is a Hungarian 25-minute short film from 2016 that won writer and director Kristóf Deák tons of awards and also succeeded at the Oscars pretty recently in making this the man's most known work, unless you count "Munich" where he worked as an assistant in the editing department. But back to this one here. Unless you are fluent in Hungarian, you will need subtitles to understand the story. It is the tale of two young girls, one of them new at her school, and they sing together in a choir. However, the new one gets told by the teacher in charge of this choir to fake singing, to only move her lips because she just isn't good enough and she will keep the choir from winning awards. We find out that other students face the same fate, so that really only the gifted ones sing eventually. As a consequence of this, the film makes a pretty nice anti-discrimination statement at the very end and the music throughout is also great fun to listen to of course. Frequently these short film are really only memorable because of the ending and at a runtime of almost half an hour, that's a bit on the disappointing side. But this one here offers a solid story also before the powerful ending. I am fine with the Oscar win, even if I still need to check out the other nominees. Which I will do now. Feel free to take a look at my reviews there too. Finally a thumbs-up for the two Dorkas, really good child performances in here.
Loved it
chera_khalid9 September 2023
"Mindenki" is a captivating and thought-provoking short film that explores the themes of conformity and individuality within a children's choir. The film's strength lies in its powerful performances, particularly from the young actors who portray the students. Their talent and emotional depth bring authenticity to the story. The music in the film is beautifully composed and adds to the overall atmosphere. However, one weakness of the film is its limited runtime, which leaves some aspects of the narrative feeling underdeveloped. Additionally, the cinematography, while visually pleasing, could have been more dynamic to enhance the storytelling. Overall, "Mindenki" is a poignant and impactful short film that raises important questions about identity and the pressure to conform. It's definitely worth a watch for its strong performances and thought-provoking subject matter.
Mindenki
CinemaSerf22 March 2024
When young "Zsofi" (Karádi Borbála) arrives at her new school, her one wish is to join it's choir. She befriends it's star singer "Liza" (Hais Dorottya) and goes to a rehearsal. It's after this that she is told by the teacher "Miss Erika" (Szamosi Zsófia) that in future it's best that she just mime along to the songs - she's not yet good enough to actually sing! Disconsolate, her friend soon realise that there is something amiss and after a few days of persistence finally finds out. At the next practise session the young "Liza" notices a little more than she is supposed to and with the competition looming, the choir decide it's time to make their presence felt. The acting from the girls and their teacher is engaging, and I did like the ending - it works really quite well in this charming and enjoyable story of teamwork with just a tiny hint of revenge!
Celebrating Trophy Culture
QStrum27 February 2017
This was a charming piece overall. The young girls gave exceptional performances and the writing did exemplify competence in film storytelling. All of the moments worked except for what happens in the end. Inventive way of dealing with the problem of exclusion but it sends the message that everyone should be accepted. For example, a basketball team would now have to accept anyone who goes out for the team and let them play merely because they show up. Forget whether they can play or not, like it used to be, they just have to show up. This is pretty much what the film is telling us and when you see it you will know what I mean.
great
Kirpianuscus3 October 2020
I saw it as former student in not different situation at a moment. I saw it as teacher ( fortunately, History , not Music) . I saw it as former part of school competition. And I was impressed in profound sense about the perfect way to say a deep truth by this short film, powerful, precise and very useful. A game of apparences and the courage of revenge. And magnificent performances. It is Mindeki more than a good film. But the fair testimony about force and honesty of childhood against forms of hypocrisy. So, great, just great.
More plot holes than in a piece of emmental cheese
gacsogergely28 February 2017
First the positive: kudos for the actors.
Now the bad: everything else. We should believe none, not any of the juries, any of the parents, neither the members of the choir noticed any problem. Neither why the teacher don't even try to close the gaps. The connections between the characters are entirely artificial. And we should believe the kids, who segregated themselves so much they have an absolutely strict order where to sit when (even during recess), and despite there is free space they ostracize a student by refusing to sit there - these kids supposedly can cooperate to any noble purpose.
If we'd go into details the problems would just accumulate. I suggest leave this thing alone.
And I am a hungarian. Well, not according to the Prime Law - which never had the proper authorization -, which strips everyone not Christian their citizenship, so I assume my opinion doesn't matter there.
Now the bad: everything else. We should believe none, not any of the juries, any of the parents, neither the members of the choir noticed any problem. Neither why the teacher don't even try to close the gaps. The connections between the characters are entirely artificial. And we should believe the kids, who segregated themselves so much they have an absolutely strict order where to sit when (even during recess), and despite there is free space they ostracize a student by refusing to sit there - these kids supposedly can cooperate to any noble purpose.
If we'd go into details the problems would just accumulate. I suggest leave this thing alone.
And I am a hungarian. Well, not according to the Prime Law - which never had the proper authorization -, which strips everyone not Christian their citizenship, so I assume my opinion doesn't matter there.
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