PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMBASSY OF HUNGARY

When accomplished neurosurgeon Márta (Natasa Stork) encounters fellow doctor János (Viktor Bodó) at a conference, it’s love at first sight. Quitting her top job in America, she returns to her native Hungary to begin again with the love of her life. Márta is shocked, however, when János doesn’t show up at their arranged meeting spot. But that’s nothing compared to what happens when she finally locates him: he tells her that they’ve never met before. Is he pretending not to know her? Has she encountered a doppelganger? Or has Márta simply conjured their entire relationship in her mind?

Part psychological drama, part clever love story, Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time is a beguiling look at the nature of love. Unwieldy long title aside, the film was also Hungary’s official Oscar submission for Best International Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.