Democracy Noir

DEMOCRACY NOIR

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.

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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.

FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

El Cerrito Rialto Theater, presented by Albany FilmFest | El Cerrito, CA, USA | July 17, 2025 | Get Tickets

Millennium Docs Against Gravity, 2025 | Warsaw, Poland

Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, 2025 | Sebastopol, CA, USA | Jury Award - Best Feature Film

One World Film Festival, 2025 | Czechia | Regional Jury Award

Inconvenient Films, 2024 | Lithuania

All About Freedom Film Festival, 2024 | Gdańsk, Poland

Human Rights Film Festival Berlin, 2024 | Berlin, Germany

Mill Valley Film Festival, 2024 | Mill Valley, CA, USA

Vancouver International Film Festival, 2024 | Vancouver, BC, Canada

Sofia Documental International Film Festival, 2024 | Sofia, Bulgaria

Boston Film Festival, 2024 | Boston, MA, USA | 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

CPH:DOX, 2024 (World Premiere) | Copenhagen, Denmark | F:ACT Award nominee

PRESS

The Sonoma Index-Tribune | March 20, 2025 | Sebastiani Theatre to feature screening of ‘Democracy Noir’

San Francisco Chronicle | March 11, 2025 | What does Trump’s America have in common with Hungary? ‘Democracy Noir’ lays it out in detail

KQED | March 11, 2025 | ‘Democracy Noir’ Depicts Hungary’s Dark Slide — and Foretells Ours

The Tyee | September 18, 2024 | In ‘Democracy Noir,’ a Reminder of the Power in People

Business Doc Europe | March 17, 2024 | CPH:DOX FACT:AWARD Democracy Noir by Connie Field