Mária Takács is a Hungarian director, screenwriter, and actress best known for her award-winning films, such as Szabadesés (Free Fall, 2008) and A déliee (The Delight, 2012). She is considered one of the most important contemporary Hungarian filmmakers and her work has been widely acclaimed by critics in both Hungary and internationally.
Takács was born in 1978 in Budapest, Hungary. After receiving her degree in law from the University of Szeged, she decided to pursue her passion for filmmaking and enrolled in the University of Theatre and Film Arts, also located in Budapest. There, she studied directing and screenwriting and graduated in 2003.
Takács’s debut feature film, Szabadesés, was released in 2008. It tells the story of a young woman who faces a moral dilemma after her father is accused of a crime. The film won numerous awards, including Best Film and Best Director at the Hungarian Film Festival, and was nominated for the European Film Awards in 2009.
Takács’s follow-up feature, A déliee, was released in 2012. The film follows a young woman who is forced to confront her past after the death of her mother. It was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Takács’s most recent feature film, Az élet és más (Life and Other Things), was released in 2015. The film follows a woman struggling to find her place in the world after the death of her husband. It won the Silver Hugo Award at the Chicago International Film Festival and was nominated for the FIPRESCI Prize at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Takács’s films have received critical acclaim for their poignancy, psychological complexity, and exploration of difficult moral dilemmas. She has been praised for her ability to create nuanced and emotionally powerful films that explore universal themes in a uniquely Hungarian context.
Takács is currently working on her fourth feature film, which is set to be released in 2021. She continues to be one of the most important figures in Hungarian cinema, and her work will continue to inspire and influence filmmakers for years to come.
