The ELTE– NFI FILMIO University Film Club screening and discussion series continues. We welcome university members from all ELTE faculties.
This musical road movie expresses the desire for freedom of young people trapped behind the Iron Curtain with the help of the best post-beat bands. It is often referred to as the socialist version of Easy Rider. In the film's fast-paced montages, the ZiL truck cuts through the roads like the motorcyclists in Easy Rider, and in socialism, truck driver (the position our protagonist aspires to) was one of the few jobs that allowed people to travel freely to the West, and the clothes and records smuggled home from there were considered great treasures. The Kangaroo authentically depicts the lives of young people at that time: their longing to escape from behind the Iron Curtain, their enthusiasm for Western fashion, generational conflicts, the housing shortage and slang.
István Varjú is a truck driver who transports materials to the construction site of the Paks nuclear power plant. One day, he picks up a stunning hitchhiker who is heading to Balatonboglár. Although they warm up to each other, Varjú does not want to break the rules and only takes the girl as far as Paks. However, he cannot get her out of his head and looks for the blonde hitchhiker everywhere, even though Zsozsó, a factory worker from Kőbánya who is madly in love with him, is waiting for him at home. Varjú's dream is to get on a truck and see the world. He is committed, but his relationship with Zsozsó changes his life. The Kangaroo was one of the big hits of the 1970s, seen by more than 1.8 million people in cinemas.
Date: 25 February 2026, 6 p.m.
Venue: ELTE University Library and Archives, community space (Budapest, V. Ferenciek tere 6., ground floor)
Excerpt from the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT6LSqOU284
Starring: László Gálffi, Éva Vándor, Erzsi Pásztor, János Csapó, Róbert Koltai, Dezső Füller
Our guests in the post-screening discussion will be Tamás Rozsonits, music journalist and former drummer of the band Moby Dick, and László Gálffi, Kossuth and Jászai Mari award-winning actor, distinguished artist and lifelong member of the Society of the Immortals.
Due to limited seating, advance registration is required.
Registration: https://www.ajk.elte.hu/a-kenguru-zsombolyai-janos-filmje-1976.
The organisers welcome any correspondence regarding the film club at eltenfi.filmklub@elte.hu.
ELTE–NFI Film Club Facebook page