Third Thursday | Democracy Noir

Democracy Noir is a 2024 political documentary directed by Oscar-nominee Connie Field. The film chronicles the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions in Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, framing his regime as a blueprint for modern authoritarianism admired by right-wing movements globally.

The narrative focuses on the rise of Orbán’s Fidesz party, which utilized free elections to secure power before altering constitutions, capturing the judiciary, and seizing control of the media to cement one-party rule. The documentary draws explicit parallels between Orbán’s methods and contemporary political trends in the United States, noting Orbán’s influence on figures like Donald Trump and policies such as Project 2025.