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You might assume the title is ironic, given that Anna Eszter Nemes and László Csuja’s film is set in the strange, cloistered world of grit, muscle and sinew that is elite women’s bodybuilding. But “Gentle” proves as good as its word, though this quiet, sympathetic portrait of Hungarian competitor Edina (real-life bodybuilder Eszter Csonka) does display significant core strength as a patient critique of the pursuit of an impossible body, and how much it might cost the soul living inside.

Edina is waiting in the wings, being primed and last-minute coached by her partner and trainer Ádám. She has her few minutes in the spotlight, running through a series of practised poses in a pink sequinned bikini for a sparse audience in a small hall, and wins. This means she will go on to compete in the world championships, which seems to mean nearly as much to Ádám as it does to her.

The female bodybuilding drama is co-directed by two rising Hungarian talents.

Berlin-based sales outfit Films Boutique has snapped up world sales rights to László Csuja and Anna Nemes’ Gentle which will premiere at Sundance in the World Cinema dramatic competition.

Csuja and Nemes are fast-rising Hungarian talents to watch. Their female body-building drama is produced by András Muhi and Gábor Ferenczy from Focusfox Kft, who were behind Golden Bear-winner On Body And Soul, and co-produced by German production company Komplizen Film, whose recent credits include Spencer, Toni Erdmann and The Story Of My Wife.

Muhi and Ferenczy also previously produced...