Matty the Gooseboy - Movie Screening I Hungarian Movie Nights 2026

The Liszt Institute New York’s annual Hungarian Movie Nights event series returns this September with a fantastic selection of exciting, heartwarming, funny, and thought-provoking films showcasing the creativity and talent of the Hungarian film industry.

On September 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM, the Hungarian Cultural Center warmly looks forward to welcoming guests to a movie screening at the Consulate General of Hungary in New York, celebrating the Day of the Hungarian Folktale!

Matty the Gooseboy (Lúdas Matyi) (1977)

Hungarian animation film, family, comedy, director: Attila Dargay

1 hour 10 min

MPA film rating: G

The movie is in Hungarian with English subtitles.

Synopsis: The film is based on the 19th century narrative verse by Mihály Fazekas. The titular hero is a poor but extremely quick-witted goose drover lad who during his wanderings comes across Döbrögi, the local little lord of the manor, who just then is engaged in shooting the animals of the forest. Since, despite being ordered to, Matty won’t hand over a single goose, Döbörgi gives him a beating of 50 strokes.

Matty swears to take revenge for the unjust, humiliating punishment and having grown into a young man he gives back the beating to the arrogant lord on three separate occasions. Twice he dresses in disguise, first as an Italian carpenter craftsman, the second time as a German physician, using these personas to divert the attention of Döbrögi’s bodyguard, and finally, with the help of a young rider, he teaches the cruel landlord a lesson he will never forget.

The most popular full-length Hungarian animated films are associated with Attila Dargay, who made them – without exception – for children. The director looked on Walt Disney and the 1950s’ classic Macskássy fairy tale films as the benchmark in the profession. Matty the Gooseboy is the first full-length cinema film by Attila Dargay; it was followed by a whole series of family-friendly animated movies such as Vuk (1981), Szaffi (1985) and Az erdő kapitánya (1988). Originally, Attila Dargay was to have designed all the figures in the caricature style that was typical for him. Attila Dargay’s hallmark is to be seen in the animal characters, first and foremost the goose companion to Matyi.

We look forward to sharing this remarkable piece of the Hungarian film industry with our audience, and to welcoming you for an evening of reflection, culture, and cinematic excellence.

The organizers reserve the right to amend or alter the program without prior notice.