Vipera Life – A serpent’s life

The viper. The word alone fills most people with dread. It calls to mind some kind of huge, writhing monster, lying in wait to bite. The Hungarian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis) however, is not large and doesn’t attack. It is rather small and it would rather flee. It’s venom is deadly only to grasshoppers and crickets. It almost disappeared because it’s habitats were plowed under and drained. It’s not easy being legless in a world ruled by four-wheeled machines and two-legged creatures. The survivors retreated to the sand dunes of Kiskunság National Park. This is where our story’s protagonist, 2K366/08, entered the world. This is her story.

Directed by Attila Dávid Molnár, Vipera Life – A serpent’s life leans on a strong ensemble — Gábor Máté — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2014.