The film is often described as a "proto-music video" or a Hungarian response to A Hard Day's Night . It features performances and a soundtrack by legendary Hungarian Beat and psych-folk bands of the era, including: Kex Syrius Critical Reception & Style
A new 2K digital restoration was recently approved by Mészáros and released via Janus Films . Synopsis & Narrative Focus Don't Cry, Pretty Girls! (1970)1970
Critics highlight the film's and focus on intimate portraiture—often using close-ups of faces to convey emotion where words are absent. While some reviews suggest it is less focused than Mészáros' later masterpieces like Adoption , it is regarded as a vital socio-historical document that captures the "youthquake" and the aimless, yet vibrant, lives of factory workers in post-1968 Hungary. The film is often described as a "proto-music
Don't Cry, Pretty Girls! (1970) - Columbus - Gateway Film Center While some reviews suggest it is less focused
(Hungarian title: Szép lányok, ne sírjatok! ) is a landmark 1970 musical drama directed by Márta Mészáros , a pioneering figure in Hungarian and feminist cinema. The film is celebrated as a "near wall-to-wall" musical document of Hungary's 1960s–70s counterculture , blending a narrative of youthful rebellion with the energy of the underground "Beat" music scene. Production & Technical Overview Director: Márta Mészáros
János Kende (known for his fluid, emotive camerawork) Run Time: 84 minutes
The story follows (Jaroslava Schallerová), a young woman in the Eastern Bloc who spends her tedious days working in a factory. On the eve of her arranged marriage to a fellow factory worker, she attempts a final act of independence by running away with a touring rock band. Her journey serves as a vehicle for Mészáros to explore themes of personal freedom and the specific "freedom of choice" available to women in a conservative society. The Role of Music