I couldn’t have wished for a better debut experience. The challenges of creating something against all odds —filming on such a tight budget and in such a short time— strengthened the bond between all of us in the crew. It was made with a lot of love, and I believe that comes through.

Lesson Learned

Young teacher Juci attempts to challenge the outdated methods in her school, while new student Palkó,​ who recently relocated from abroad, struggles to adapt to the demanding educational system. Their personal stories offer insight into an oppressive system, reflecting the broader Hungarian society.

Lesson Learned (Fekete Pont) is Bálint's debut feature film. As political influence grew within Hungary’s film funding system, he chose not to apply and instead developed a low-budget film set in a single location—a primary school. The project came together within a year, with just 17 days of shooting, and was made possible through the collaboration of 19 producers and a dedicated cast and crew. Bálint reunited with his Boddah collaborators, including Emmy-winning cinematographer Marcell Rév. Shot on 16mm, the film continues his improvisational approach to working with actors.

Lesson Learned premiered at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in the Cineaste del Presente selection, winning Best Performance and a Special Mention. Bálint also won the Boccalino d’Oro for Best Director. The film was a major success in Hungary, with 130,000 viewers it was one of the most-watched film of the year. It travelled around the world and won the main prize at several film festivals.

Werk

English reviews and interviews

Cineuropa (interview)

Film at Lincoln Center (interview)

East European Flicks

Past Present Feature

Crew

Writer & Director Bálint Szimler Cinematographer Marcell Rév HCA, ASC Producers Gábor Osváth, Zoltán Mártonffy Editor Zsófia Ördög HSE Supervising Sound Editor Viktor Lente Casting Hermina Fátyol, Sára Holczer Production Manager Veronika Nemes-Jeles Second Unit Cinematographer Zágon Nagy Production Design Imola Láng Music Dorka Lajhó, Péter Sabák Costume Design Marcsi Glaser 1st AD Dorottya Zsiga Cast Anna Mészöly, Paul Mátis, Ákos ‘Dadan’ Kovács, Attila Papp, Józsi Balázs, Mihály Deák-Molnár, Inez Mátis, Gábor Ferenczi, Ildikó Lökös, Eszter Márton, László Iván Nádasi Executive Producers Gábor Kovács, Ági Pataki,  Ilona Antal, Ildikó Kemény, Eleonóra Peták, Péter Juhász, Dániel Blik, László Dreissiger Co-producers Júlia Berkes, Viktória Petrányi, Patrícia D’Intino, Ferenc Pusztai, Gábor Ferenczy Associate Producers Miklós Kázmér, Ádám Felszeghy, Inez Mátis, Hermina Fátyol Production Companies Boddah, CineSuper Co-production Companies Proton Cinema, Good Kids, KMH Film, FocusFox, Pioneer Pictures, Filmpartners, 235 Productions, Umbrella Distribution Lights On (International), Mozinet (Hungary)

Afterlife

Lesson Learned premiered at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in the Cineaste Del Presente.

Anna Mészöly won the Golden Leopard for Best Performance in a Leading Role at the Locarno Film Festival.

The film was rewarded a Special Mention and Bálint won the Boccalino d’Oro Prize for best director.

Lesson Learned was the most-watched movie in Hungarian cinemas for three weeks after its premiere and eventually attracted 130,000 viewers.

The film won the main award at the Ljubljana International Film Festival.

Based on the audience's votes, Bálint won the Director of the Year award at the Golden Medal Awards.

The film was awarded Best Debut Feature of 2024 by the Hungarian critics.

Lesson Learned won Best Film at Febiofest in Slovakia.

Best Debut Film at Days of European Films in the Czech Republic.

At Istambul Film Festival the film won the Golden Tulip for Best Film and the FRIPESCI Award.

It won the Golden Lynx Award (Best Film Award) at FEST in Portugal.

At the Trieste International Film Festival, Lesson Learned received a Special Mention and the Cineuropa Award.

The Grand Prix in Poland at Tofifest.

Biograf International Film & Moving Arts Festival - Best Feature Film.

The film won the Sándor Simó Award for Best Debut Feature at the 44th Hungarian Film Week.

Nechama Rivlin Award for Best International Film at the Jerusalem Film Festival.

Youth Jury Award, Audience Award for Lesson Learned at Burgas Film Festival.

Best Script in Morocco at the Tangier Film Festival.

Festival Selections

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Balaton Method