The highly acclaimed film Semmelweis is set to air on Duna Television on 29 December. The production, which became the most-watched Hungarian film of 2023 in cinemas, recounts the remarkable journey of Ignác Semmelweis, the saviour of mothers, and his groundbreaking fight against puerperal fever.
Producer József Vida discussed the film on M1, explaining that the project does not aim to be a biographical or documentary film. Instead, it focuses on the pivotal moment in Semmelweis’s life when he discovered the cause of puerperal fever, earning him his heroic reputation.
Semmelweis’s journey is one of tragic heroism, as his discovery was initially rejected by the Viennese medical community. Nevertheless, he stood firm in the face of opposition, championing the scientific breakthrough that would save countless lives.
Directed by Lajos Koltai, the film marked his return to filmmaking after a long hiatus. According to Vida, Koltai was captivated by the script and approached the project with great determination. The cast includes both seasoned professionals and talented young actors, such as Junior Prima Award-winning Miklós H Vecsei, who delivers a compelling portrayal of Semmelweis.
Filming took place during the coronavirus pandemic, creating an unexpected parallel between Semmelweis’s fight against a ‘hidden killer’ in 1847 and the contemporary struggle against COVID-19. Vida remarked that just as Semmelweis revolutionized hygiene practices in his time, the film crew found themselves revisiting the importance of handwashing in a new context.
Since its release, Semmelweis has attracted over 350,000 viewers and has remained popular on streaming platforms. The film has also made its mark at international film festivals, with global interest showing no signs of waning. Vida credited the film’s success to its dedicated cast and crew, who he said poured their heart and soul into the project, demonstrating that Hungarian cinema can achieve world-class quality.
The upcoming TV premiere offers a unique opportunity for an even broader audience to discover the legacy of Ignác Semmelweis and his enduring contributions to medical science.
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