Newsletter of Magyar Filmunió May 2009 No. 16

MAGYAR FILMUNIÓ NeWSLeTTeR 2 MAGYAR FILMUNIOISSUPPORTEDBY OKM Layout byArktiszStúdió Phone: +361351-7760 FILMUNIÓ NEWSLETTER H-1075 Budapest,Wesselényiu.16. H-1139 Budapest,Váciút81. www.nationalfilmoffice.hu Phone: +3613277070, hn:+3 4124364 Phone: +361 [email protected] Fax: +3613219224 at theMarchéduFilm Professional PartnersofMagyarFilmunió National FilmOffice [email protected] www.allianz.hu Allianz Bank • • • Fax: +361352-6734 Printed byGelbertLtd. Published byMagyarFilmunió • • [email protected] HU ISSN1785-4865 • áolgt ao 8 1068Budapest, Hungary fasor38. Városligeti • filmunio.hu H-1021 Budapest,Hûvösvölgyiút141. H-1145 Budapest,Rónau.174. Tivoli-Filmproductions Ltd. Phone: +3612522870 hn:+612752320, Phone: +361 Fax: +3612511080 a:+612006858 Fax: +361 [email protected] www.tivolifilm.hu [email protected] www.mafilm.hu Mafilm Co. 3 4 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Contents Pebbles on the Shore Pebbles MEDIA Desk Hungary The History of Aviation The History for hosting professional short films for hosting professional short Coming Soon – Films in Production – The authentic Hungarian element – The authentic Daazo.com – a Hungary-based online network Daazo.com – a Hungary-based Gábor Sipos – Producer on the Move from Hungary Gábor Sipos – Producer on the Lost Persons Area ScripTeast – Judit Elek & László Berger and Dániel Erdélyi Interview with László Kántor, head of Új Budapest Filmstúdió László Kántor, head of Új Budapest Interview with Tamás Joó – the new representative of EURIMAGES in Hungary Tamás Joó – the new representative Interview with Bálint Kenyeres, director of director with Bálint Kenyeres, Interview Dénes Nagy and Márton Vízkelety – Two new talents at Nisi Masa Márton Vízkelety – Two new Dénes Nagy and 4 friendships andopened upnewopportunities. since ledtootherencounters,helped toform people backthenandthoseencounters have screened hereincompetition2005, Imetmany ence. Aftermypreviousfilm, and tohelp great opportunitytolaunchaseries ofscreenings presenting myfilm.ApremiereatCannesisa of abetterplaceintheworldthanCannesfor And Iamhappytobehereagain.cannotthink This isyoursecondtimeinCannes. Aviation of History The with Interview Pebbles ontheShore the worldseeminglyuntouched. people only...andleavestherestof that stirsupthelifeofoneortwo ines apeculiarsenseofloss:one Normandy in1905,Kenyeresexam- ous, eerilytouchingstorysetin The HistoryofAviation returns toCanneswithhisnewfilm, Hungarian directorBálintKenyeres 1999; BeforeDawn,2005) first twoshortfilms(ClosingTime, After theworldwidesuccessofhis The HistoryofAviation Bálint Kenyeres . Inamysteri- Before Dawn find itsaudi- was , directorof dle ofwritingand Irememberitdidn'tgotoo ish... anyway,meandTamáswere inthemid- some timenowthatwearejust about tofin- whom wehavebeenwritingafeature filmfor an oldfriendofminefromuniversity with working onascriptwithwriterTamás Beregi, It startedaboutthreeorsoyearsago. Wewere How didtheideaoffilmcomeabout? money togettheproductionunderway. both countriesgaveroughlyequalamountsof production withTamásHutlassa’sCaféFilm: per centFrenchand50Hungarianco- choice: my newfilm.Francewasaprettyobvious looking foraFrenchco-productionpartner head ofArteFranceCinemaandtoldhimIwas many otherpeopleIalsometMichelReilhac, Yes, when Aviation, Is thishowyourlatestfilm, started shooting. moment; withoutthiswecouldhavenever to investinourproduction.Thatwasacrucial later, Emmanuelcalledmeandsaidhewanted French producerEmmanuelAgneray.Months this waswhenMr.Reilhacintroducedmetothe that time,wedidn’thaveenoughmoney,and of France, andtheFrenchrememberedsuccess Before Dawn The HistoryofAviation was born? Before Dawn The HistoryofAviation and werewillingtohelp.At came out,among The Historyof takes placein is a50 story of wanted tomake.Ithadnothingdowiththe told himaboutashortfilmideaIhadalways he waspacingupanddowntheroom,I 5-minute break.Iwaslyingonthecouchwhile well thatday.Toeasethepressure,wetooka consciously tryingtotonedowntheschmaltzy, While making right nowtakesplaceinthatera,Berlin. War years;thefeaturefilmIamworkingon the twentiethcentury,orevenFirstWorld much moreintothetwentiesandthirtiesof parasols wouldworkvisually.Personally,Iam world offrocksandfrills,picnicspink-laced movie inthatperiod.Iwaswonderinghowthis ning Iwasslightlyapprehensiveofmakinga because, tobeperfectlyhonest,inthebegin- Well, itwasthestoryitselfthatdrewmeto What attractedyoutotheearly1900s? The HistoryofAviation were, hammeringoutthemainideaofthisfilm. a startingpoint,inabout10minutestherewe The HistoryofAviation, The HistoryofAviation, is aperiodpiece. but usingitas I was 5 was in Lili Mesterházy Before Dawn was born in 1976 in (Closing Time) was pre- If all goes according to plan, If all goes according to Zárás miered at the Venice Film Festival and got selected for more than 30 other film festivals, won a dozen awards. His previous short Bálint Kenyeres Budapest. After studying philosophy, film history and film theory, he gradu- ated as a film director at the Budapest Film and Theatre Academy in 2006. Since then he is a member of the European Film Academy. His film competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005, won a jury prize at Sundance and got the European Film Academy Prix UIP for the best European short in 2006. It was select- ed at 140 festivals, won 30 awards. way I myself in moments open up and immerse I would never have the and places so deeply, realm of filmmaking. chance to outside the a way of learning; Thus making films becomes into someone new, to it enables me to evolve personality. acquire a new, more complex to shoot next? What are you going I have mentioned, Well, apart from the script in the late nineteen- the one that takes place story I am planning to twenties, there is another Agota Kristof’s novel, shoot: an adaptation of Hier (Yesterday). we can start shooting next year. Closing It had been a hell of a ride; real guerilla It’s true that as a child, I often visited film sets, It’s true that as a child, the filmmaking bug, if so I must have caught Nothing has ever inter- there is such a thing... films; it has always ested me more than making been this way. What does filmmaking mean to you? to I simply love films. As a child, I loved going the cinema and then, through the cinema- goer’s experience I started to love the films I themselves. And because I loved movies, wanted to see what it was like to make them. This is how it started. I will never forget the moment I completed my first short film, Time. filmmaking, that’s what it was. It was crazy; one single, 48-hour long shooting day. And after all that was over, there were five or ten minutes at the end when I could feel that I had been able to capture something, grab it and hold it in my hands. It was that peculiar feeling a a battlefield general might feel after winning battle. In that moment I knew it was all worth of it and that experience, or rather, the memory it, is something that has been with me ever to since. This is the feeling I have been yearning again. On the other hand, making experience films has shaped my personality remarkably. For instance, in order to be able to shoot a film, I do things I would never ever be capable of otherwise. I go up to people and get into situ- ations I would normally stay away from. In this You come from a family of directors. Well, they did not make me choose this path but they did not discourage me from it, either. pretty-pretty world those frocks and frills would instantly evoke. With cinematographer Mátyás Erdély, we tried to make sure that we balanced this world with coldness and distance properly. This distance was also inherent in the story itself, and we enter the viewpoint of the moth- is er and the little girl only. Everything else shown and touched upon from the outside. Luckily for us, in this film the backdrop, Nature of itself, is completely indifferent in the face human concerns and tragedies. No sentimental- ity. You look around in a place like this and you realise you are worth no more than any pebble on the shore. The authentic Hungarian element

Interview with László Kántor, head of Új Budapest Filmstúdió

László Kántor graduated from film school as a director and DOP but quickly switched to producing. He recognised the opportuni- ties in co productions at the very beginning of his career. His latest project, Lost Persons Area has been invited to Cannes, and it will be presented in the Semaine Internationale de la Critique.

When did you recognize the golden opportuni- easier distribution opportunities. Besides, since experiences: for example the Oscar-shortlisted ties in co productions? the new film law offers 20 percent tax rebate, Klopka, which is a Serbian-German-Hungarian Right at the very beginning when I started to the opportunities have multiplied. co production, has nothing to do with Hungary produce in 1999. My first two features were co What makes a coproduction “Hungarian”? itself, but the story is international and under- productions on two faraway points of the First of all I consider myself as a creative produc- standable all around the world. The authentic world. They were not cases called “Euro pud- er. I’ve graduated as a DOP and a director, so I Hungarian element was me: I discovered the ding”, because in these productions I was the guess I am much more “friendly” for the artis- script and believed in it. During the develop- only European, furthermore Hungary was not a tic side than somebody coming from the econ- ment of the script maybe we crossed out certain member of the EU. Johnny Famous, which was omy or business sector. On the other hand I elements, which wouldn’t be understood out- entirely shot is Los Angeles with American don’t think that a movie made in co production side of Serbia, but we never violated the script. actors – who were dubbed in the Hungarian must have a Hungarian element – like an actor What is the situation in the case of version – and directed by the Hungarian direc- or location – necessarily, although there are Lost Persons Area? tor, Gergely Fonyó won the main prize of the point systems and regulations in Europe, which It was more obvious. The production needed Hungarian Film Week. The other one, The Fool- coordinate this. I can share with you my own Eastern European partners, because immigrant ish Pomegranate Tree was shot in Georgia also with a Hungarian director, Péter Mészáros. There was a direct continuation from there. What drove you to start looking immediately for international partners? I realized that the Hungarian movie industry and art needed blood refreshment. On the other hand I felt that it is very hard to make films reg- ularly only with Hungarian money. Instead of making one movie in every five years I wanted to make one every year. Not to mention the 6 7 Bettina and Marcus, a passionate couple, live in a canteen in the middle of a vast field with endless lines of pylons. Marcus, trying to set up his own business, works as a foreman in the maintenance of these power-lines. Bettina, bored and longing for a better life, runs the canteen for the workingmen. Their nine-years-old daughter Tessa, wanders the industrial area, looking for bits and pieces to occupy her mind, skipping school whenev- er she can. When Marcus hires a Hungarian engineer Szabolcs to become part of his company, their unconventional way of living takes a new turn. A tragic accident although will shatter everyone’s pursuit of happiness. LOST PERSONS AREA PERSONS LOST / HU, 2009, BE / NL 35mm 109 min., colour, directed by Written and Caroline Strubbe Cinematography: Nicolas Karakatsanis Music: Albert Markos Sam Louwyck, Kimke Cast: Lisbeth Gruwez, Rik Van Desart, Zoltan Miklos Hajdu, Ine Pieters, Vincenzo Uffelen, Frans De Jong, Cardia Géza Csákvári As a member of the board of the European Film Academy what do you think is the most impor- tant task of the organization? First of all to get together the European film- makers, as many as possible, so we can lobby powerfully enough to get European films to the audience all around the world. What about directing? Have you forgotten that What about directing? for forever? many of us. Directors in I climbed the ladder like long breaks between Hungary make films with them and struggle to sustain themselves. On the other hand when I finished the film school, I quite quickly discovered the disease of the Hungarian cinema: the script. Most of the direc- tors write their own, and not all of them are good writers. It is very rare that they are, but a they don’t have to be, either. So I started small company and hired writers to develop scripts. Later I worked for Hunnia studios and to sometime later Budapest Studio was offered a me. I had doubts, because I thought it was political offer. When I realized that the profes- sionals had chosen me, I accepted it for three I years, to see if the job suited me or not. Well, stayed for good. I didn’t give up directing, but as now when I am making more and more films a a producer, I am sure that producing requires full person. trust each other. If the director is talented and is talented If the director other. trust each proj- energy in the I also put is good, the story the basic I might not prefer ect, even thought them, it’s me or I convince idea. They convince like a mar- game. Filmmaking is a vice versa in a project decide to get involved riage, if you don’t believe years until it is over. I it can last for categories, I and commercial in the art house bad or nice films. think there are only good, producing is about And I don’t think that laughing at me; of money. Everybody was is a very expen- course I know that filmmaking I invest into movies. sive process. What I earn in money. My This way I am not interested too many people can say hobby is my work. Not that nowadays. Lost he was playing himself. and it was a hard choice for him. White Palms First of all I have to like the script. I have to First of all I have to like the script. I have believe in it, to be sure if I would go to the cin- ema I’d like it. If the idea does not touch me I run away. Secondly: the director and I must What kind of projects are the most attractive for you? Persons Area, He has been an actor from the moment he started to act and appear on the screen. If you finish an acting school, that doesn’t mean any- thing. Surprisingly, Zoltán didn’t want to be an actor, because he was a member of Cirque du Soleil, which he had to leave because of Why did you pick Zoltán Miklós Hajdu for the role? He is not a professional actor. In his previ- ous movie, workers from the region are a part of the story, which is set in Western Europe. These workers became Hungarians, so one of the main actors, Zoltán Miklós Hajdu, and the composer Albert it Márkos are Hungarian. In these obvious cases is easier to get subsidies from the funds. Dénes Nagy and Márton Vízkelety two new talents form Hungary at Nisi Masa

INVITATION TO NISI MASA presented in collaboration with the 42nd Critics’ Week

Russian Playground Transsiberian Voices not only as an artistic form of expression, but also as a tool for A film by Dénes Nagy, Leo Bruges, A film by Jochem de Vries, Márton understanding the world around us, Anna Dmitrieva (Hongrie, UK, Vízkelety, Guillaume Protsenko and a passion to be shared – a true Bulgarie, 2009, 9’30”) (Pays-Bas, Hongrie, France, 2009, conveyor of European citizenship. In the outskirts of Moscow, Eka- 10’40”) terinburg and Sludianka, kids dis- The Transsiberian brings passen- play great ingenuity in creating gers from all over Eurasia togeth- their own playgrounds… er. Many of them have folkloric songs to share; they are beautiful.

Produced in the framework of Cine-Train 2008 an international documentary workshop following the concept of Aleksandr Medvedkin. 18 young filmmakers travelled along 9 288 kilometres of the Trans-Siberian express from Moscow to Vladivostok, asking „Where does Europe end?”

Nisi Masa aims to facilitate exchanges between new talents by breaking down the barriers between amateurs and profession- als. For the young European gener- ation, widening the field of possi- Dénes Nagy

bilities means considering cinema Márton Vízkelety 8 Happy New Life. The film won several impor- Sándor Prize for the Best First Film tant prizes at the Hungarian Film Week, just In Pre-production after it was selected to the 57th Berlinale – The Frankenstein Project – co-producer Panorama, and won a Special Mention. (2010, feature, 35 mm) Gabor Sipos focuses on the development of Directed by Kornél Mundruczó scripts and the networking among European producers, pitching forums and film founda- Laokoon Filmgroup tions, while Gabor Rajna concentrates more on H-1136 Budapest, Balzac u. 37. GÁBOR SIPOS the production of current projects. phone: +36 1 3540491, Laokoon currently focuses on Arpad Bogdan’s fax: +36 1 3540492, new feature, The Necromancer, and develops mobile: +36 30 9400025 A Journey by Moonlight (based on Antal [email protected] Szerb’s novel), and Peter Meikle’s Don’t Look www.laokoonfilm.com Down. Ten years ago saw European Film Filmography: Promotion (EFP) bring ambitious Happy New Life up-and-coming producers (2007, feature, 81 min., 35 mm) together for the first time from Directed by Árpád Bogdán various European countries for Awards: 57th Berlinale, Panorama: Special the PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE Mention; 38th Hungarian Film Week: Simó Sándor Prize for the Best First Film, Best programme in Cannes. Original Music, Best Producers, Student Jury: Since 2000, 177 of Europe’s Best Original Music; Genève, Cinema Tout Biography: most talented young producers Ecran: Reflet d’Or – Best Director; Pécs, have been introduced to the Gabor Sipos studied English & Italian literature Moveast IFF: Honorary Mention for the Film’s industry at large in Cannes. and linguistics at ELTE University, Budapest. Excellent Visuals After graduating he founded Laokoon Slow Mirror – co-producer As the Hungarian EFP member Filmgroup with Gabor Rajna in 2001. (2007, feature, 83 min., 35 mm) Magyar Filmunió selected the Laokoon runs its service commercial depart- Directed by Igor & Ivan Buharov following producers ment to maintain the company, and produces Awards: 38th Hungarian Film Week: Special to be ON THE MOVE approximately 20 international commercials a Mention, Best Producers; Milano Film Festival: year, mainly for the English, Italian, German Best Film’s April Award, Special Mention; Gyôr, 2002 Csaba Bereczki and Spanish market. Mediawave: Best Experimental Film Laokoon has also founded its workshop with Transmission – co-producer 2003 Viktória Petrányi young generation directors, screenplay writers, (2009, feature, 90 min., 35 mm) music composers, production designers, and Directed by Roland Vranik 2004 Gábor Forgács line producers. Since 2001 Laokoon has pro- 1 – co-producer 2005 András Muhi duced and co-produced over 10 feature films, (2009, feature, 90 min., 35 mm) 12 short films, 3 documentaries and 2 theatre- Directed by Pater Sparrow 2006 Iván Angelusz experimental films. Awards: 40th Hungarian Film Week: Best 2007 Ferenc Pusztai The company’s first debut in short film was Cinematography, Best Production Design Arpad Schilling’s Overborder, which was in Intimate Headshot (2009, feature, 75 min., HD) 2008 Dalma Hidasi competition at 61st Venice Film Festival, and Directed by Péter Szajki 2009 Gábor Sipos its debut in feature film was Arpad Bogdan’s Awards: 40th Hungarian Film Week: Simó 9 10 Retrace /Visszatérés competing for theKrzysztofKies LászlóBergerandDánielErdélyiproject A JuditElek& sister pushesher overtheedge. her accompanyinghusband withher traumatic memoriesandthe deceitof after escapingtheHolocaust. Her found refugeinIrelandasa child Romania forthefirsttimesince she Katherine travelstoCeausescu’s Expected completion:2010 Studio Produced byJuditElek,Dánielfilm Judit ElekandLászlóBerger Best EasternandCentralEuropeanScript- Eastern andCentralEurope.TwoHungarianprojectscompetingforthe – aprojectby is aprojectbasedtrainingprogram,designedspecificallyforscriptwritersfrom

Judit Elek Award ceremony:20thofMay,5pm,PlagedesPalmes,Cannes ´lowski Award

László Berger Krzysztof Kies it's fun. it's tragedy.Iftheyhateeachother- Mafia boss.Iftheyloveeachother- insomniac Girl,andherFather,the A controlfreakSecurityGuard,an Expected completion:2010 Film Produced byIvánAngelusz,Katapult Security about deadlylifeinEasternEurope. Security – aprojectbyDánielErdélyi ’lowski Awardforthe is adarkcomedy

Dániel Erdélyi Tamás Joó – the New Representative of EURIMAGES in Hungary

co-produced fiction films for cinema and television (i.a. „Last Year for Ever”, RTL, Hungarian Film Week 2001; „Christmas Dinner”, ARTE, San Sebastian Festival 2004).

From September 2003 to August Since 2006, Tamás Joó coordinates 2004, he participated at the German- the establishment of the regional French Masterclass for European pro- funding system in Hungary from the ducers at La Fémis (Paris) and at the side of the central Hungarian film Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg fund. During this period of work, two (Ludwigsburg). In May 2004, when regional film funds were established Hungary joined the European Union, and started their activities in Pécs and he was invited by Vivian Reding to in Gyôr. In 2006, he worked as a Tamás Joó studied film dramaturgy the first meeting of the enlarged EU’s guest lecturer at the Academy of and aesthetics at the Academy of cultural ministers in Cannes, where Drama and Film in Budapest, where Drama and Film in Budapest between he represented the new generations he is currently part of the Doctor of 1996 and 2001 as student of director of filmmakers. Liberal Arts programme. Since June István Szabó. With the help of a Since February 2005, Tamás Joó has 2008, he is Member of the Board at DAAD scholarship, he studied direct- been working for EURIMAGES, the CCT Co-productions and Networking, ing and dramaturgy at the HFF cinema fund of the Council of the alumni association of the German- Munich and at the IFS Cologne in Europe. Between July and December French Masterclass for European pro- 2002–2003. During his studies, he 2005, he worked as a production ducers. He speaks English, German, gathered work experience at differ- support and strategy consultant at French and Hungarian. ent prestigious international compa- the Fund’s headquarters in nies like Studio Canal World Sales Strasbourg. Between January 2006 Contacts: (Paris), Filmwelt (Munich), MTM and February 2009, he used to work Magyar Filmunió / Hungarian (Munich) and Anonymous Content as a deputy of Representative Zsolt EURIMAGES Representation (Los Angeles). After his studies, he Kézdi-Kovács at the Fund’s H-1068 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 38. worked as an assistant director in Hungarian Representation in Phone: +36-1-351-77-60, -61 international productions (i.a. for Budapest. He was named representa- Fax: +36-1-352-67-34 Peter Greenaway), and directed and tive to EURIMAGES in February 2009. [email protected] 11 12 Since 2007Daazohascollectedmore other festivalawardedshorts. mation, the AcademyAwardWinningshortani- quality collectionabsolutelyfreeincluded Internet, whereyoucanwatchtheentire tion makesthesiteauniqueplaceon shorts fromthepastfewyears–thissec- be aselectionofthebestEuropean to-view –onthewebsiteisintendedto The catalogue–whichispresentedfree- Daazo.com –TheEuropeanShortFilmCentre The Fly, 1980 not aviralsitelikemanyothervideopages–thecollectionisstrictlyspecifiedforshortfilms. tion ofprofessionalshortfilmsandacommunitywebplatformforyoungfilmmakers.This is Daazo.com –TheEuropeanShortFilmCentreisaCinema/Mediaprojectwithgrowing collec- The Fly by FerencRofuszamong

Moto Perpetuo, 1981 bility andtoenablefilmmakersbe to obtainfeedback,givethemwidevisi- which canbedistributedeasily,ameans the “dynamiccopies”oftheirworks their firststepsinthebusiness,provide on Daazo,theaimistohelpthemtake to uploadanddistributetheirownfilms where youngfilmmakersareencouraged There isauser-generatedsectiontoo, young filmmakers)and1200shortfilms. than 1000registratedusers(mainly

Wind, 1996 (Cineuropa.org, Film.hu). with professionalonlinefilmmagazines Festival, BUFFMalmö);exchangingvisibility tions offilmfestivals(Cinefest,BuShoFilm Medientraktor), hostingthearchivesec- Matter ofTasteproject,KinoKabaret, workshops, EuroMedCafé,Cinetrain, form forfilmmakingworkshops(NisiMasa young Europeancinema–providingplat- Daazo hasmanypartnersfromthefieldof their ownproducer.

Overture, 1965 13 Happy New Life December 1, 2008 April 1, 2009 February 2, 2009 20/2008 TV Broadcasting 22/2008 Distribution, 28/2008 i2i Audiovisual 2009/1 Preparatory Action – 03/2009 Distribution,

More information MEDIA Desk Hungary / Magyarország Iroda 1068 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 38., II/57. Phone: +36 1 413 1269 / +36 1 413 1270 Fax: +36 1 413 1710 [email protected] www.mediadeskhungary.eu Deadline 1: Deadline 2: November 14, 2008 Deadline 3: February 27, 2009 June 26, 2009 Selective Scheme Deadline 1: Deadline 2: Deadline 3: July 1, 2009 Deadline 1: Deadline 2: July 7, 2009 MEDIA International Deadline: 2 June, 2009 Automatic Scheme Deadline: 29 May, 2009 MEDIA application deadlines MEDIA After Rain, 2002 Rain, After will be shown on Golden Palm winner

Contacts: Daazo Film and Media Ltd. 1113 Hungary, Budapest, Bartók Béla út 61. www.daazo.com Dániel Deák +3620/560/40657 [email protected] Zoltán Aprily +3630/3113350 [email protected]

In Cannes Daazo supports the Short Film In Cannes Daazo supports Corner and make a presentation with other Central European startups. Also, a selection of the site during the Cannes Film Festival. In 2009 Daazo.com – The European Short Film Centre is supported by the MEDIA Programme. Hungarian short films Fight, 1977 Fight, The company’s mission is to create the The company’s mission perfect platform for short films. Nowadays shorts are becoming more suc- cessful than ever. They can be found online more regularly and are attracting a wider range of audience. The project intends to demonstrate: short films are not only made for festivals, film schools or workshops but for literally worldwide distribution. 14 hope forawomanoverfiftytostart anew? while theex-wiferemainsalone.Isthere world. Theex-husbandoftenremarries, This phenomenonisfamiliaralloverthe dren havegrownandflownfromthenest. decades reachaturningpointoncethechil- first wives?Marriagesthathavelastedfor their secondmarriage.Butwhereare fathers areover50,thechildbeingfrom Today inthekindergartenshalfof Main cast:JohannaterSteege Budget (in Film Production/TR) (Mediopolis Film/DE),SerkanAcar(Kuzey Film InternationalB.V/NL),AlexanderRis Filmstúdió), PetraGoedings(PhantaVision Produced byLászlóKántor(ÚjBudapest Director: FerencTörök Exp. compl.:Aug2010 Drama ISZTAMBUL ISTANBUL Csíkos Miklós SzékelyB.,RudolfFrecska,Kitty Main cast:LiliMonori,KornélMundruczó, Bober [email protected] Sales: TheCoproductionOffice,Philippe Budget (in (Filmpartners), RajnaGábor(LaokoonFilm) Filmproduktion /DE),KovácsGábor Cinema), SusanneMarian(Essential Produced byViktóriaPetrányi(Proton Director: KornélMundruczó Exp. compl.:TBD Drama A FRANKENSTEIN-TERV THE FRANKENSTEINPROJECT PRE-PRODUCTION IN € € ): 1,4M ): 1,6M Budget (in Péter Forgács(For-Creation) Produced byGáborKovács(Filmpartners), Director: PéterForgács Premiere: 4May2009,NewYork,MoMA Experimental documentary DREAM (1892–1945) HUNKY BLUES–THEAMERICAN The followinginformationwasprovidedbytheproductioncompanies. COMING poetry fromthese implausiblesources. gotten audiorecordings,Forgács creates tive reelsofhome-moviefootage andfor- Reconstructing theirhistoryfrom evoca- States intheearly20thcentury. Hungarians whoarrivedinthe United latest filminterpretsthelivesof ordinary Erasmus AwardrecipientPéterForgács’ [email protected] Sales: Filmpartners,GáborKovács, € ): 0,2M

Hunky Blues Budget Produced byPálSándor(HunniaFilmstudio) Director: MártaMészáros Exp. compl.:May2009 Drama THE HOPE/AREMÉNY and politicalcombatapeculiarlove mise her.Thefilmisabouttheirmoral entice hertoreturnhomeorcompro- man fromBudapestvisitsherinorderto tion. Intheseventiesanagent,ayoung revolution of1956shelivesinemigra- whether fascistorcommunist.Afterthe life againstdictatorship,nomatter democrat politicianwhofoughtallher dinary woman:AnnaKéthly,thesocial Márta Mészárosthereisagainanextraor- In thefocusofmostrecentfilmby Zsuzsa Czinkóczi,BeataFudalej Main cast:EnikôEszenyi,ErnôFekete, [email protected] Sales: HunniaFilmstudio,PálSándorhun-

films in production SOON (in € ): 1 M

The Hope 15 Paw is a story about the ): 1,9 M Paw € ): 1,6 M € Europe, their enforced interdependence Europe, their enforced the joy and the and later their break up, – all seen curse of belonging together from the viewpoint of a little girl, Aglaja. from the viewpoint of Exp. compl.: Oct 2010 PAW / MANCS refugee family of circus artists from East refugee family of circus Director: Róbert Adrián Pejó Produced by László Kántor (Új Budapest Filmstúdió), Alexander Ris (Mediopolis Film / DE), Simon Shandor (Clavis Films / FR), Dominic Wright (Ripple World / UK) Budget (in Main cast: Christopher Lambert The story is about the members of a The story is about the members Based upon incredible actual events, tells the story of international rescue expert László Lehóczki who has saved hundreds of lives around the globe in recent years. inspiring friendship between László and his beloved German shepherd rescue dog. Sales, Cast: TBD IN PRE-PRODUCTION AGLAJA Drama Oct 2010 Exp. compl.: Krisztina Director: Deák (Inforg Studio), Produced by András Muhi / PL), Tudor Radek Stys (Koncept Media / RO) Giurgiu (Hai Hui Entertainment Budget (in century Hungary was one of century Hungary th the most powerful countries in Europe, countries in the most powerful and a established economy with a very hold the army which could very powerful from Europe’s bor- Turkish Empire back years. der for more than 100 young noble boy Unexpectedly a very the new king of was chosen to become Hungary. Main cast: Zoltán Mucsi, György Mucsi, cast: Zoltán Main Balázsovits, Gálffi, Lajos László Cserhalmi, Daniel Olbrychski In the 15 ): 2 M ): 0,68 M € € Sales: Beta Cinema [email protected] Drama/Variations on History Exp. compl.: Dec 2009 Director: Miklós Jancsó Produced by József Berger (Mythberg Films), Dieter Pochlatko (EPO Film / AT), Marianna Rowinska (Ozumi Films / PL) Budget (in SO MUCH FOR JUSTICE! ODA AZ IGAZSÁG! What happens if our deepest What happens if our Perhaps desires come alive? – in the András is the only man world who can get away with being with a totally different woman week by week. The only strange thing is that they all claim to be the same woman, Lilla, who has been his girlfriend for years and is carrying his child. But is he going to be happy with all these women? And who’s going to be the real mother of the baby? Sales: Skyfilm, Gábor Herendi Sales: Skyfilm, Gábor [email protected] Main cast: Sándor Csányi, Mészáros Kátya Tompos, Béla Romantic comedy, First feature Romantic Exp. compl.: Dec 2009 Director: Dénes Orosz (Skyfilm) Produced by Gábor Herendi Budget (in POLIGAMY story at the same time. Kéthly rather time. Kéthly at the same story home than from death away chooses informer the first Hungarian return. It’s our confrontation with film, a painful recent past. 16 destruction… gation leadingtodespair,havocand certain conclusionsorresolution.An investi- This isthestartofaninvestigation withno the samecoltsheusedtobe. looks thesameasshedidtwenty years ago, familiar. It’sher.Unmarkedbytimeshe site, hecatchesaglimpseofsomeone bus windowonhiswaytotheconstruction same. Oneday,ashesitsstaringoutofa while atthesametimeremainingeerily after twentyyears.Everything’schanged, years ago.Andnowhereheisagain,back lost forgoodtheloveofhislifetwenty assignment. Thecountrywherehemetand arrives atthesceneofhismostrecent The forty-somethinghighwayengineer Kántor, [email protected] Sales: ÚjBudapestFilmstúdió,László Budget (in Filmstúdió), IbTardini(Zentropa/DK) Produced byLászlóKántor(ÚjBudapest Director: BálintKenyeres Exp. compl.:2011 Drama TEGNAP HIER brutality? What canstopthespiralofrevengeand it withthem. Everyone hasahistory.Andeveryonecarries Zsolt Laszlo,PeterKadas Main cast:JuditSchell,FranziskaWeisz, west-distribution.com Sales: EastWestFilmdistributionoffice@east- Budget (in Produced byPeterMiklosToth(EuropaFilm) Director: ZsomborDyga Exp. compl.:2010 Thriller UTOLÉR RUNDOWN IN PRE-PRODUCTION € € ): 1,6M ): 1,12M SCOOTER /VESPA own self-discovery. she encounters.Thisisafilmaboutour own memoryandtheofthose on aparadox-filledvoyagewithinher long-lost childhoodfriend.Sheembarks rounded bydeathsetsofftofindher An alienatednursewhoselifeissur- Budget (in Produced byFerencPusztai(KMHFilm) Director: ÁgnesKocsis Exp. compl.:Feb2010 Drama Adrienn Pál Szekeres [email protected] Sales: Tivoli-Filmproductions,Dénes Budget (in Filmproductions) Produced byDénesSzekeres(Tivoli- Director: DianaGroó Exp. compl.:Jan2010 Drama István Znamenák,ÁgnesHargitai Main cast:ÉvaGábor,TamásJordán, Pausinger, [email protected] Sales: TheMatchFactory,Tobias € € ): 0,55M ): 1,5M Rodrigo Balogh,JánosPuporka Main cast:SándorTóth,JuliNyakó, is,h a hsy bigone.Thenhe First, hehasawhisky. A made upoflocalcops? stack ofcash?Andwhatifthe team’s player dowhenheoweshisteammates a What doesagood-lookingyoung hockey Gabriella Pession,GeraldineChaplin Main cast:EricBalfour,LukeGoss, [email protected] Sales: Szita&DeakFilm,MiklósSzita Budget (in (Szita&Deak Film),BillChamberlein Produced byMiklosSzita,KornélSipos Director: GyörgyDobray Exp. compl.:May2010 Crime THE WHISKYROBBER/AVISZKIS ital, uponhisreturnhome… ror toshowforhisadventuresinthecap- only tohavenothingbutarear-viewmir- break fromhismundaneeverydaylife, through aseriesofevents,managesto of agipsyboyfromthecountryside,who, Vespa isafeaturefilmthattellsthetale € ): 4.54M

Adrienn Pál IN PRE-PRODUCTION VERY MERRY / ÚRI MURI Drama Exp. compl.: 2011

Director: Attila Vidnyánszky Produced by László Kántor (Mátrix Film) Budget (in €): 1,6 M Sales: Új Budapest Filmstúdió, László Kántor [email protected]

Zsigmond Móricz’s thirteenth novel, Very

The Gravedigger Merry (Úri muri), first published in 1928, tells the striking tale of the ne’er-do-well, dresses as a cop, robs a couple of million Budget (in €): 0,31 M devil-may-care, gentry of rural Hungary from the back and makes his escape Sales: Flora Film International, Tibor who, having lost much of their possessions through downtown Budapest in a streetcar. Kocsis, [email protected] and influence, spend their time playing cruel It’s the stuff of legend. A true story, too. Main cast: Eugen David, Andrei Jurca, tricks on those not of their kind, and drink- Stephanie Roth ing and merrymaking. Told with a keen eye THE GRAVEDIGGER / A SÍRÁSÓ for the dark details of everyday life and a Experimental 300 Tons of Gold is a feature documen- lively, at times humorous characterization, Exp. compl.: Dec 2009 tary which tells the tragedy of a small vil- Móricz’s Very Merry has lost none of its Director: Sándor Kardos lage in the mountains of Romania. appeal to this day. It was followed in 1932 Produced by András Muhi (Inforg Studio) A Canadian company wants to open by Relations, a tale of nepotism and corrup- Sales: TBD Europe’s largest gold mine here. In order tion among the Hungarian gentry. to get to the gold first they have to relo- Experimental film based on Rainer Maria cate the people. They offer a happy Rilke’s short story of the same title future and work. The plan split the com- munity in two. Brothers and friends THE TURIN HORSE / A TORINÓI LÓ became enemies. The ten-year fight will Fiction soon come to an end. Exp. compl.: May 2010 Director: BélaTarr Produced by Gábor Téni (TT Filmmûhely) in co-production with MPM Film (FR), zero fiction film (DE), Vega Film (CH)

300 TONS OF GOLD 300 TONNA ARANY Feature Documentary Exp. compl.: Dec 2009 Director: Tibor Kocsis Produced by Tibor Kocsis (Flora Film International), NRK, YLE, TVP, ERT, Duna

TV, Antena 3, Spektrum TV of Gold 300 Tons 17 JUSTICE / ADALET Exp. compl.: May 2009 Director: Ali Özgentürk CO-PRODUCTIONS WITH Produced by Ali Özgentürk (Asya Film / TK), László Kántor (Új Budapest Filmstúdió) Budget (in €): 0,84 M HUNGARIAN PARTICIPATION Main cast: Ayca Inci, Ayse Kökcü, Melda Yilmaz, Elif Yıldız

When a mysterious phone call arrives telling Unexpected and forbidden love between a In 1965, three young Israeli Mossad agents on her that she must prepare to face trial for mur- Christian woman a Muslim man threatens to a secret mission capture and kill a notorious der, Tulin Kosman doesn’t know what to do. bring into question a life or death oath. Nazi war criminal. Now, thirty years later, a At first, she thinks it’s a prank; certainly, she man claiming to be the Nazi has surfaced in hasn’t committed any murder. As a professor THE DEBT the Ukraine and one of the former agents of history at a prestigious university, Tulin has must go back undercover to seek out the nothing to hide. She has always lived her life truth. by the rules. But the calls persist… THE CAMERA MURDERER / LAND OF WONDERS DER KAMERAMÖRDER Exp. compl.: Sept 2009 Director: Dejan Sorak Produced by Ivan Maloca (Inter Film / HR), Dénes Szekeres (Tivoli-Filmproductions) Budget (in €): 0,6 M Main cast: Marija Stjepanovic, Franjo Kuhar, Dora Lipovcan, Borko Peric

In the Bosnian wasteland, which serves as a military training ground for NATO, a girl called Alica and her uncle Valentin collect grenade and cannon shell fragments. The uncle trades them illegally, transporting them in an old delivery van, hiding the goods in his niece’s room… Helen Mirren

BESA Exp. compl.: Autumn 2009 Exp. compl.: Oct 2009 Director: John Madden Director: Srdjan Karanovic Produced by Kris Tykier (Marv Films / USA), Produced by Jelena Mitrovic (Film House Bas Hungarian partner: Dorka Gryllus Celik / RS), Danijel Hocevar (Emotion Film / SI), Ildikó Kemény (Pioneer Pictures) Cedomir Kolar / FR), Dénes Szekeres (Tivoli- Budget (in €):25 M Exp. compl.: Dec 2009 Filmproductions) Sales: Miramax Films miramax.com Director: Róbert A. Pejó Budget (in €): 1,35 M Main cast: Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Produced by Dr. Erich Lakner (Lotus Film / AT), Main cast: Miki Manojlovic, Iva Krajnc, Nebojsa Ciaran Hinds, Marton Csokas, Sam Susann Rüdlinger (Cobra Film / CH) József Dugalic, Radisa Bukvic Worthington, Jessica Chastain Berger (Mythberg Films) 18 Budget (in €): 2 M BG), László Kántor (Matrix Film), Ognen Antov Produced by Roman Paul, Gerhard Meixner Sales: TBD (Dream Factory / MK) (Razor Film Produktion / DE), András Muhi Main cast: Gregor Bloeb, Merab Ninidze, Budget (in €): 1,24 M (Inforg Stúdió) in co-production with Cedomir Dorka Gryllus, Ursina Lardi Main cast: Dean Donkov, Ana Papadopulu, Kolar (A. S. A. P. Films / FR), ARTE France Ekaterina Evro, Colm Meaney, Ivan Burnev Cinéma (FR), ZDF/ARTE (DE) An anonymous yet popular snuff video is at Budget (in €): 3,1 M the outset of the Easter weekend when A concert to celebrate Bulgaria joining the EU Sales: The Match Factory Heinrich and Eva follow their old friend is being planned at the Embassy in London [email protected] Thomas’ and his new girlfriend’s invitation to and it is the job of Varadin, the new ambassa- Main cast: Eva Green, Matt Smith, Hannah visit. The horrific content of the video is thrust dor, to ensure the Queen attends. But with Murrey, Lesley Manville, István Lénárt into reality when it turns out that three neigh- corrupt staff, criminal gangs operating out of bourhood children have gone missing. Distrust the kitchen, falling in love with a stripper and The sudden, tragic death of her lover throws and suspicion arises between friends and turns a little misunderstanding with a PR firm that Rebecca’s life completely off track. A normal their idyllic Easter weekend into a nightmare. provides sex look-alike royalties… his simple existence is unthinkable without the love of task turns into a chaotic nightmare… her life. But Rebecca doesn’t give up. When MISSION LONDON modern medicine ultimately discloses a dan- Exp. compl.: April 2010 WOMB gerous way for her fulfil her dream. Rebecca Director: Dimitar Mitovszki Exp. compl.: May 2010 decides to pursue this path – without being Produced by Ivan Doykov (SIA Advertising / Director: Benedek Fliegauf able to predict the consequences. Photo by Wolfgang Borrs Photo by Wolfgang © Womb, Eva Green, Matt Smith, Eva Womb, 19