The Revolt of Job

Jób is a devout patriarch who interprets events as divine signs guiding his family. He stubbornly protects Lackó and sees his son as the key to continuing the family’s faith, even when the village disapproves. His decisions are rooted in hope, stubborn love, and a belief that fate can be steered by piety.

Róza is the compassionate center of the family, balancing Jób's intensity with practical care. She shares in the fear and hope that sustain Lackó, navigating social stigma and the threat of deportation. Her loyalty to the child and to her husband anchors the family through crisis.

Lackó is a curious and stubborn boy adopted from the Christian world into a Jewish home. Growing up unsure about God, he tests his father's beliefs and the community's acceptance. His resilience and vulnerability drive the story, as he experiences love, illness, and separation.

Ilka is the farmhand's lover who provides warmth and humanity amid hardship. She and Jani, inspired by the wartime cinema, marry with the village priest's blessing. Her loyalty to loved ones remains steady as the family faces upheaval.

Jani is a dependable farmhand who supports the family while seeking a future beyond the fields. His quiet love for Ilka blossoms into a marriage that stands as a small beacon of ordinary happiness in the encroaching chaos. His loyalty and patience help anchor the couple amid social pressures.

Monk Günther introduces Lackó to religious ideas outside Jób's household. His presence marks a shift in Lackó's education and spiritual exploration. His teachings highlight faith under oppression and the clash of belief systems.

A circus arrival in the village brings strangers, spectacle, and a new gateway to cinema. The screening of The Frozen Child moves some villagers to tears and others to resentment. This moment catalyzes social and emotional shifts within the community.

Director of the orphanage who sees Lackó as both a test of faith and a symbol of survival. His role underscores the social and moral tensions of caring for children during peril. His reactions reveal how institutions regulate love, loyalty, and belonging.

A religious authority figure who condemns Jób's actions as blasphemy, reflecting the fracture between faith and law in the community. The stance of the Rabbi mirrors broader pressures on Jewish families during the era.

Neighbor who forms part of Lackó's social world, sharing in the village life and the mixed emotions of the period. Her interactions with Lackó and other villagers illustrate the community dynamics amid crisis.