Iglói diákok: A quiet walk through memory lane

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, it depends on how much patience you have for black-and-white nostalgia. If you’re a fan of old-school Hungarian cinema or just like watching movies that feel like a gentle hug from the past, you’ll probably find something to like here. But if you’re looking for a plot that actually goes somewhere fast, you’ll likely find it a bit tedious. It’s definitely not for the modern action junkie.

The whole thing has this weird, sleepy rhythm. It’s like the movie doesn’t want to wake you up from a nap. You spend a lot of time just watching students walk around in uniforms. There’s a lot of staring at trees, too. I kept waiting for something big to happen, but it just… didn't. And you know what? That’s kind of okay.

It reminds me a bit of the pacing in The Kiss Before the Mirror, where the atmosphere does more heavy lifting than the dialogue. Not that they are the same story at all, but the way they both hang onto quiet moments feels similar. It’s a strange little mood piece.

Oddly specific observations

• The uniforms look incredibly uncomfortable. You can see them sweating through the collars in several scenes.
• There’s a background character who keeps adjusting his hat every time he walks past the camera. I don’t think he realized he was doing it.
• The lighting in the canteen is so bright it almost makes the actors look like they're floating.

Gyula Kabos shows up, and as always, he brings a little bit of charm to a scene that would otherwise feel totally flat. He’s got this way of looking at the camera like he’s bored of his own character, which is honestly the most relatable thing in the whole film. When he’s on screen, the energy shifts up by maybe ten percent.

The film isn't trying to change the world. It’s just trying to capture a vibe. Sometimes it succeeds, mostly because it doesn't try too hard to be fancy or deep. It’s just guys being guys, struggling with school, and being generally dramatic about stuff that won't matter in ten years. 🏫

It’s not a masterpiece, and it’s certainly not something I’d suggest watching if you’ve had a long, stressful day. It’s a weirdly soothing, dusty experience. Watch it if you want to feel like you’re sitting in an old library while someone tells you stories about their grandfather. Just don’t expect any big reveals or a satisfying ending. It just sort of stops.