On Body and Soul 2018
Directed by
Ildikó Enyedi
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Endre, the CFO of an abattoir, and Mária, the new quality inspector, both experience a recurring dream in which they are a pair of deer roaming freely in the forest. However, unbeknownst to them, it is a shared dream that reflects their inner thoughts.
Upon joining the team, Mária immediately faces hostility due to her autistic tendencies and her strict evaluation of the meat quality. Despite Endre’s attempts to reach out, their interaction becomes uncomfortable when Mária makes a rude remark about his lame left arm, which she believes influences his cafeteria food preferences. That night, she replays the encounter in her mind, reflecting on her responses and mistakes. Meanwhile, the abattoir employs a brash new butcher, Sanyi, whom Endre finds repugnant due to his arrogant attitude and lack of empathy towards the animals.
As tension mounts, the abattoir faces an investigation after mating powder mysteriously vanishes from the inventory. Both Endre and his friend Jenő suspect Sanyi’s involvement. To unearth the truth, a psychologist is brought on to conduct personality assessments of the staff, probing into their sexual histories and their dreams from the previous night. During this process, both Endre and Mária report the same strange dream, leading the psychologist to believe they are playing a prank. However, this revelation brings them closer together, fostering a deeper connection as they come to understand their shared experiences. Despite Mária’s quirky behavior occasionally pushing Endre away, they eventually cultivate a strong bond. Endre also uncovers that Jenő was the true thief of the mating powder but opts not to inform authorities due to the absence of identifiable victims, later extending an apology to Sanyi for casting suspicion upon him.
One night, Endre and Mária decide to sleep in the same room but are unable to find rest. Although Mária harbors feelings for him, she becomes overwhelmed and shuts down when Endre attempts to initiate physical contact after a card game, leaving him perplexed and hurt. This incident prompts a transformation in Mária, who begins to explore new sensations, including listening to romantic music, watching adult films, and observing couples in parks.
On the other hand, Endre grows disillusioned with their relationship and ultimately ends things, seeking companionship elsewhere but feeling unsatisfied afterward. Despondent, Mária contemplates suicide in the bathtub, calmly cutting her wrist. The act is interrupted by a call from Endre. In a brief, awkward conversation, he confesses his love for her, which Mária echoes. Once her wound is treated, she visits Endre’s home, and they share a night of intimacy. The following morning, they awaken to the realization that neither experienced a dream last night, marking a poignant turn in their complex relationship.
Timeline
Recurring Dreams
Endre and Mária both experience a shared recurring dream in which they transform into a pair of deer roaming freely in the forest. This dream symbolizes their internal struggles and longing for freedom from their mundane realities.
Mária's Arrival
Mária joins the team at the abattoir, immediately facing hostility due to her autism and strict approach to meat quality inspection. Her interactions create tension, particularly with Endre, who tries to be welcoming but is met with uncomfortable remarks.
The Unpleasant Incident
During their first conversation, Mária makes a rude comment about Endre's lame arm, revealing her bluntness and lack of social cues. This incident leaves both feeling awkward, highlighting the beginning of their strained relationship.
Introducing Sanyi
The abattoir hires Sanyi, a brash new butcher whose arrogant demeanor and indifference towards animals repulse Endre. Sanyi's presence adds to the tension within the workplace and escalates conflicts among staff.
Investigation Begins
Tension at the abattoir peaks when mating powder mysteriously disappears from the inventory, prompting an investigation led by the management. Endre and his friend Jenő suspect Sanyi, which exacerbates existing animosities.
Psychological Assessments
To uncover the truth behind the missing powder, the management employs a psychologist to assess the staff's personalities and sexual histories. This leads to unexpected revelations about their dreams, especially between Endre and Mária.
Shared Dream Revelation
During the assessments, Endre and Mária reveal they both had the same strange dream, which the psychologist dismisses as a prank. However, this incident unexpectedly strengthens their connection as they realize they share deeper thoughts and feelings.
Mária's Transformation
Mária undergoes a transformation, exploring her feelings and desires following her closeness with Endre. She begins to listen to romantic music and watch adult films, seeking to understand her emotional responses and relationships better.
Endre's Disillusionment
Despite initial romantic feelings, Endre grows disillusioned with his relationship with Mária. He seeks companionship elsewhere, but ultimately finds himself unsatisfied, reflecting on the complexities of their bond.
Despondency and Suicide Attempt
Feeling depressed and overwhelmed, Mária contemplates suicide and attempts to cut her wrist in the bathtub. This serious moment is interrupted by a call from Endre, leading to a brief but pivotal conversation about their feelings.
Confession of Love
During their awkward phone call, Endre confesses his love for Mária, which she reciprocates. This moment allows them to confront their feelings, setting the stage for a deeper relationship despite past tensions.
Night of Intimacy
After treating her wound, Mária visits Endre, leading to a night of intimacy that signifies a turning point in their relationship. This deep connection fosters a newfound understanding between them.
A Dreamless Morning
The morning after spending the night together, both Endre and Mária awaken realizing they did not experience a dream. This poignant moment marks a significant shift in their relationship dynamics, representing growth and change.
Characters
Mária (Alexandra Borbély)
Mária is a quality inspector whose autism shapes her interactions and perceptions, leading to difficulties in social situations. Her journey from isolation to exploring her romantic feelings for Endre showcases her vulnerability and complex inner world, making her a deeply relatable character.
Endre (Géza Morcsányi)
Endre is the CFO of the abattoir, facing his own loneliness and disillusionment throughout his encounters with Mária. His gradual emotional evolution and initial detachment contrast sharply with his deeper feelings for Mária, showcasing a man caught between societal expectations and personal desire.
Sanyi (Ervin Nagy)
Sanyi is characterized as a brash new butcher whose attitude causes friction within the team. His lack of empathy towards animals reflects a broader theme of moral conflict in the abattoir’s environment, although he ultimately becomes an unintentional catalyst for deeper connections among others.
Setting
Time period
The story unfolds in a contemporary context, reflecting modern societal issues such as mental health, workplace dynamics, and personal relationships. It addresses struggles and transformations of characters in a relevant, relatable manner, highlighting the intricacies of human connection in today’s world.
Location
Abattoir, Forest
The central setting is an abattoir, representing a stark environment where animals are processed for meat. It serves as a backdrop for the character's struggles and emotional isolation. The contrasting setting of the forest symbolizes freedom and dreams, where Endre and Mária reveal their deeper connection as they dream of roaming as deer.
Themes
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Isolation
Isolation is a prominent theme illustrated through Mária's autistic tendencies and her struggle to fit in with colleagues at the abattoir. Endre, too, experiences loneliness despite his position, creating a parallel between both characters. Their eventual connection reveals a journey towards understanding and intimacy that transcends their initial isolation.
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Shared Dreams
The motif of shared dreams encapsulates the deeper emotional and psychological connection between Endre and Mária. Their recurring dream of being deer symbolizes their desire for freedom and connection. As the narrative unfolds, this shared experience becomes a pivotal element that aids in weaving their complex relationship together.
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Conflict
Conflict arises on multiple levels – within the workplace, interpersonal relationships, and internal struggles. Mária’s strict approach leads to tension with her peers, while Endre grapples with the moral dilemma surrounding Jenő’s actions. The dramatic turn of events, particularly concerning Mária's suicide attempt, highlights the intense emotional stakes involved.
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