I looked for the limits of the human body, and the limits of film as an artform. I went to the edge

Only two films into his career, Hungarian filmmaker György Pálfi has already established himself as one of his country’s most innovative directors. His latest, Taxidermia, details 60 years of history in central Europe through the tale of three broken lives. Covering sperm, spit and blood, via stories about a man who shoots fire out of his erect penis, an obese speed-eater, and a bizarre taxidermist, it’s undoubtedly one of the most deranged movies ever made.

What are the origins of Taxidermia?

I was wondering what it is that defines a person and I realised it is the most recent history of the previous 60 years. This is the period preceding him, with which he has a personal contact. I met my grandfather, and through him I met the world two generations back. Anything before that, my great grandfather and the generations preceding him, were merely pictures and objects to me.

What attracted you to the work of the writer Nagy Lajos, and how did you go about adapting his two short novels that form the basis of the first two thirds of the movie?

First, his view of the world, the themes he deals with and how he deals with them. Second, his sense of humour and his linguistic brilliance, with which he achieves this humour. As soon as I had read these short stories, I felt this is the kind of film I want to make.

There’s a lot of pushing things beyond their natural limits in the film. Was this your modus operandi for making the movie?

Yes, I was searching for the limits, the extremes to which I can push things. I looked for the limits of the human body, and the limits of film as an artform. I went to the edge.

There is a proliferation of self-stimulation in Taxidermia. Salvador Dali once intimated that all great artists are also great masturbators. You produce great art, so do you masturbate a lot?

This film is not foremost about my personal life. Although there are a number of elements that resemble my life. But whether a ‘great artist’ or not, why would one reject the opportunity to obtain pleasure in a quick and handy way?

Taxidermia also features, quite heavily, the relief of sexual frustration courtesy of the imagination (and the hand, of course). Do you have bizarre sexual fantasies?

The answer to the first question is, of course, yes. The answer to the second question is, of course, no! (Or watch my next movies for an answer!)

Another element of Taxidermia is speed-eating. Most people probably regard this competitive gorging and its resulting obesity and constant vomiting as something of a sickness rather than a sport. What are your personal feelings about it?

In this film, eating is presented as a sport, but this is more about presenting a competitive sport than about eating.

What’s your favourite food?

Bab leves – Hungarian bean soup – which is what they’re consuming in the eating contest.

Taxidermia is out now