Taxidermia

Morosgoványi Vendel finds himself at a desolate military outpost in Hungary, trapped under the authoritarian control of Öreg Balatony Kálmán. His daily life consists of menial tasks and unbearable living conditions, sleeping in a cold shack near the latrines.

To cope with his grim reality, Vendel escapes into vivid fantasies, often to find solace away from his harsh life. One day, he dreams of a sexual encounter with the lieutenant's wife, a moment that starkly contrasts with his actual miserable existence.

Upon waking from his dreams, Vendel experiences a horrifying shock as he realizes he has engaged in an act of sodomy with a slaughtered pig. This gruesome incident marks a turning point in his life, leading to dire consequences.

The grotesque act leads to Vendel's execution orchestrated by Öreg Balatony Kálmán. In a cruel twist of fate, Vendel's life comes to an abrupt end, leaving his legacy to be continued through Kálmán's son.

Years later, Balatony Kálmán Jr. emerges as a leading figure in speed-eating, driven by the hope that his sport will gain official recognition from the International Olympic Committee. His training is intense, showcasing his dedication to the craft.

During a competitive event in the Soviet Union, Kálmán suffers from lockjaw, a setback that tests his limits. Despite the adversity, his spirit remains unbroken as he continues to pursue his speed-eating ambitions.

In a surprising turn of events, Kálmán elopes with Aczél Gizi, a fellow speed-eater. Their union signifies a blend of personal and professional aspirations, as they navigate the complexities of competitive eating together.

With the birth of their son, Balatony Lajoska, Kálmán and Gizi's lives shift yet again. The couple's focus splits between their careers and the challenges of raising a child, setting the stage for future complications within their family dynamics.

Growing up, Lajoska develops a fascination for taxidermy, carving a path distinct from his parents, who are known for their obesity. He becomes a professional taxidermist, embodying a stark contrast to the larger-than-life figures of his family.

In his adult life, Lajoska becomes responsible for grocery shopping for his increasingly grotesque and immobile father. Kálmán's overindulgence leads to a distressing dynamic between father and son, marked by frequent berating.

As the tension escalates, Lajoska reaches his breaking point after being continuously belittled by his father. Feeling defeated and suffocated by the oppressive household, he decides to leave, yearning for autonomy.

When Lajoska returns to his father’s home, he is met with a horrifying scene: his father's cats have broken free and brutally eviscerated Kálmán out of hunger. This gruesome discovery shakes Lajoska to his core, deepening the tragedy of their family saga.

Determined to preserve the horrifying legacy, Lajoska takes on the gruesome task of taxidermying both his father and the cats. He constructs a surgical harness to carry out this chilling act, representing a desperate embrace of his dark family ties.

In a final act of despair, Lajoska puts himself through a shocking transformation, removing his own internal organs using a heart-lung machine. This act of grotesque self-preservation culminates in his beheading, marking the end of his troubled journey.

Ultimately, Lajoska's body, alongside his father and the taxidermied cats, becomes part of a chilling exhibit. This grotesque display serves as a morbid reminder of their intertwined fates and the surreal tragedy that encased their lives.