The director of Adoption, Diary for My Lovers, and The Seventh Room – Márta Mészáros – said her admiration for a Social Democratic politician, Anna Kéthly, served as an impulse to make the film.

“Anna’s story was kept secret by the Hungarian authorities. No one talked about her life, no one knew anything about her. So when I learnt about her, I decided to tell her story to others so that they could also appreciate her. And in the end it paid off because, after watching my film, people started discussing Anna, no matter which political views they shared. She’s become a role model of morale for many. It means making the film was worth it!” Mészáros said in an exclusive interview with RT.

“The Last Report on Anna” by Márta Mészáros

“I had a horrible childhood. My father was killed in Russia. But no matter what I went through, I’ve always felt myself free and fearless. I searched for freedom and truth. Here I stand and I can do no other. That’s how l lived with the men I loved, that’s what I’ve told my children and grandchildren. Freedom is vital for me.”

Filmmaking has always been the be-all and end-all for Marta.

 “I love making films. I love my job, I like it when the actors play, when they play well, I like being with them. But I don’t take it too close to heart, I don’t suffer, and I’m not one of those directors who say ‘I’m gonna tell you this great story’. Miklós Jancsó used to say about me, that “Marta can make a good film in between making dinners. In fact, he wasn’t wrong.”

The 78 year-old guru of cinematography says she is no longer lured by trophies and awards. The opinion of her friends is the one that matters.

“It so happened that my films weren’t loved in my country, although the authorities gave me some funds. Meanwhile in the 70s, my productions were screened at the world’s most prestigious film festivals where I received all the Grand Prizes one can think of. So when you ask me now, whether I care about getting my films screened around the world or not – well, not really. I do care about my friends’ opinion. But in general the festival thing is over for me, I honestly don’t care whether I’m awarded or not.”

Valeria Paikova, RT