JEANNE’S REVIEW

 

Filmmaker Connie Field has exposed the blueprint Donald Trump is copying from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in her new documentary DEMOCRACY NOIR. This riveting account of Orbán’s usage of free and fair elections to gain power, then ultimately destroying democracy by doing everything possible to undermine every democratic institution --- including the constitution --- should be required viewing by every U.S. citizen.

 

Beginning in 2014, Field and her husband, who is Hungarian, were visiting his homeland when she met Nikoletta “Niko” Antal. Niko, a nurse, became an activist after her mother’s partner tried to force her into joining the Hungarian Guard. Her mother is also an Orbán supporter. But Niko declined once she learned that the Guard had plans to kill all her Gypsy neighbors, whom she loved.

 

In 2021, Field met Tímea Szabó, a Member of Parliament since her election in 2010, the same year Orbán took power. She represents the 3rd District of Budapest and is a fearless opponent of Orbán and his regime. Then, in 2022, Field decided a journalist was needed to help develop her story and she contacted Babett Oroszi, whose specialty was corruption. It is these three women Field showcases to inform her narrative.

 

It is chilling to watch Tímea, Niko and Babett as they so bravely fight to disclose Orbán’s systematic destruction of democracy in Hungary, especially since we are witnessing the same tings happening daily in the U.S. Trump has never shied away from his open admiration of Orbán, and the other authoritarians around the world. But Orbán seems to be a particular favorite of his, even entertaining this thug at our White House.

 

And like Trump, Orbán enjoys the full support of his country’s Christian conservative citizens. He rails against the left --- as does Trump --- and vilifies the LGBTQ+ community. Babett is a lesbian and has even considered leaving the country because of Orbán’s open hostility against gay people.

 

After 12 years of the European Union pouring money into Hungary, they are finally realizing their mistake and pushing back against Orbán. With Putin’s war against Ukraine and his aggressive tendencies, Hungarians are afraid they will be next. Many citizens don’t believe they would be safer with NATO and the EU, so they approve of Orbán’s chumminess with Putin. As so eloquently stated by German MEP Damian Boeselager, “the problem is unhinged and uncontrolled men can be deadly.” I couldn’t agree more!

 

          In Theaters September 5, 2025

 

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

 

 

 DAVID’S REVIEW

 

DEMOCRACY NOIR, a documentary by Oscar winner and American filmmaker Connie Field, traces the rise of Viktor Orbán as Prime Minister of Hungary. He has held that post since 2010 and has won reelections in 2014, 2018 and 2022. The man is actually an authoritarian, so prime minister is an insult to real leaders who claim that title.

 

Therefore, Orbán has been enjoying 15 consecutive years of leadership in Hungary, so is it any wonder why Donald Trump admires him so completely and is following his playbook? Orbán has many supporters in his country, but also many detractors, especially three women depicted in the film who continue to fight for their nation’s return to democracy. They are Tímea Szabó, a member of Hungary’s Parliament, Niko Antal, a nurse and activist who is the antithesis of her mother, a staunch Orbán supporter, and Babett Oroszi, a gay journalist devoted to inform truthfully and objectively.

 

These women, as well as some others in the Parliament, have no fear of reprisals when speaking out against Orbán’s policies. That is a big difference between him and Putin who summarily has his critics jailed or killed.

 

Orbán is a dangerous individual who rails against anything that smacks of liberalism. His ultra-conservative supporters agree with this philosophy. He has taken over the country’s media, among other things, so his citizens have no direct source for honest news. As one of Hungary’s liberal politicians shared, it’s like Donald Trump taking over the New York Times, The L A Times and all our left-leaning TV stations.

 

Additionally, availability of hospital treatment is greatly diminished due to a shortage of doctors and nurses. Some hospitals have had to shut down, at least in part, due to lack of funding. DEMOCRACY NOIR depicts exactly what Trump and his cronies are attempting to accomplish in the U.S. As Lord Acton said way back in 1887 (this is not in the film, but it did occur to me) "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

 

DEMOCRACY NOIR is a documentary that all Americans concerned about our own democracy should see.

 

        In Theaters September 5, 2025

 

Opinion: See It Now!