As Viktor Orbán dismantles Hungary’s democratic institutions, three women—a journalist, a politician, and a nurse—work tirelessly to fight for their country’s soul. A chilling expose of far-right nationalism and an inspirational beacon of resistance.
Directed by Connie Field Produced by Sigrid Dyekjær and Connie Field
Listen to the Democracy Noir soundtrack by Jonas Struck on Spotify.
Amidst the brazen rise of 21st century authoritarianism, few politicians have proven as corrupt and adept at undermining democracy as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. A hero to his country’s Christian conservative population and a role model to the right-wing political movement in Europe and to Donald Trump and the Republicans in United States - Orbán takes carefully crafted, methodical steps to chip away at Hungarian democratic institutions while maintaining popularity with a majority of citizens.
Democracy Noir follows three courageous women - opposition politician Timea, journalist Babett, and nurse Nikoletta (Niko) - who fight relentlessly to expose the lies and corruption embedded in Orbán's government.
However, they face a well-financed and sophisticated opposition in Orbán’s ultra conservative Fidesz party, which commands a powerful sway in the electorate and has already altered key democratic constitutional laws to further cement one-party rule. With each step Orbán makes towards autocracy, these women - representing many in Hungary - trail close behind in their fight, organizing and exploring innovative ways to take on one of the West’s most powerful, and seemingly unstoppable, demagogues.
Through our protagonists' protests and dissent, the film's director, Oscar-nominee Connie Field, provides a deeper portrait of how Orbán has, over the past decade, systematically destabilized the country's democratic institutions for economic gain, while enjoying widespread support from Hungarian nationalists. Similar trends can be seen in other parts of the world, with autocracies emerging in Turkey, Belarus, Serbia and in the United States - where Orbán is being hailed as a political success and inspiration.
But amid this dark, new form of authoritarianism, there is still vital resistance. Through the testimonies and actions of Timea, Babett and Niko, we see first-hand what it takes to try and win back democracy and precious freedoms.
SCREENINGS
Millennium Docs Against Gravity | Warsaw, Poland | May 22 - June 2, 2025 | Get Tickets
Harvard University, Davis Center | Cambridge, MA | April 24, 2025
Sebastiani Theater | Sonoma, CA, USA | April 7, 2025
Grand Lake Theater | Oakland, CA, USA | March 31, 2025
Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival | Sebastopol, CA, USA | March 29, 2025 | Jury Award - Best Feature Film
One World Film Festival | Czechia | March 15, 2025 | Regional Jury Award
Roxie Theater | San Francisco, CA, USA | March 12 and 22, 2025
Inconvenient Films | Lithuania | October 8 - 27, 2024
All About Freedom Film Festival | Gdańsk, Poland | October 12 - 19, 2024
Human Rights Film Festival Berlin | Berlin, Germany | October 4, 6 and 9, 2024
Mill Valley Film Festival | Mill Valley, CA, USA | October 3 - 13, 2024
Vancouver International Film Festival | Vancouver, BC, Canada | September 30 and October 1, 2024
Sofia Documental International Film Festival | Sofia, Bulgaria | September 28 and October 3, 2024
Boston Film Festival | Boston, MA, USA | September 21, 2024 | Best Documentary and Mass Impact Award winner
MDOC - Festival Internacional de Documentário de Melgaço, 2024 | Melgaço, Portugal | Jean-Loup Passek Award nominee
Sheffield DocFest, 2024 | Sheffield, England | Tim Hetherington Award nominee DOK.fest München, 2024 | Munich, Germany
