CONTENTS Newsletter of Magyar Filmuniónewsletter · November 2004 · No.4 4 Hungarian Films Abroad in 2004 6 Hongarije Aan Zee – Film events of the Hungarian Cultural Season in the Netherlands 7 National Film Office The MEDIA Plus Programme of the European Union 8 Eurimages Hungarian Film Commission in Los Angeles 9 Mokép Hungarofilm Division News 10 Coming Soon – Films in Production 13 Hungarians in Cannes 14 Old and New by Gelencsér Gábor

15Impressum 16 Új Budapest Filmstúdió Presents MAGYARFILMUNIÓ

Dear Readers,

As the end of the year is drawing on it is a pleasure to think back on the past months, since it is not exaggerated to say that the presence of Hungarian films and the number of awards they were given at different festivals pose ever greater awareness for the Hungarian films, for the talented Hungarian film-makers and workshops worldwide.

The birth of the Film Law also strengthens the tendency that it is worth to pay attention to the Hungarian film-makers since we hope that the new cir- cumstances of producing films in Hungary have created a balanced back- ground for the business in the long run.

Without giving the sense of completeness our Newsletter summarizes the most important events of this year. You can get an idea about the favourite Hungarian films of this year’s international festivals, about the internation- al film events where we were present and about the results which our part- ner organizations have achieved.

We also give a short summary of our feature films in pre-production hoping that the next year will also bring at least similar success. Now we look for- ward to the 36th Hungarian Film Week where we can introduce our new prod- ucts to you.

In the meantime we are continually refreshing the news of Magyar Filmunió on our homepage and we would be pleased to welcome you at www.filmunio.hu.

Éva Vezér General manager

3 3 Hungarian Films Abroad At International Festivals organised by Magyar Filmunió between January and November 2004 FEATURE FILMS

Title / Director / Year of International Premier Festival invitations and prizes between January – November 2004 Kontroll / Nimród Antal / 2004 35 Aubagne: Grand Prix for Best Soundtrack, Best Screenplay, Bitola: Silver Camera to Gyula Pados, Student Jury's Prize to Gyula Pados, Cannes: Prix de la Jeunesse, Chicago: Gold Hugo, Copenhagen: Best Director, Best Cinematography:Gyula Pados, Palic: Golden Tower, Sochi: Special Prize of the Jury, Warsaw: Audience's Prize Dealer / Benedek Fliegauf / 2004 26 Athen: Golden Athéné, Berlin: Berliner Zeitung’s Reader’s Prize to the Best Film of Forum, Lagów: Bronze Grape Award, Lecce: Special Prize for Direction, Best Special Programmes of International Film Cinematographer: Péter Szatmári, Mar Del Plata: Best Director, Special Mention for the quality and coherence of its images and music score, Argentine Filmcritics’ Jury: Events Devoted to Hungarian Cinema in 2004 Best Film, FIPRESCI Jury: Best Film, Cinematographers’ KODAK Jury: Best Cinematography, Wiesbaden: Best Director „Hungarian Dance” in Trieste – In January the After the Day Before / Attila Janisch / 2004 15 15th AlpeAdriaticCinema film festival devoted Rose’s Songs / Andor Szilágyi / 2003 13 a special programme to Hungarian dance films. Houston: Platina Remi Award Six Hungarian films were screened in the pro- Forest / Benedek Fliegauf / 2003 13 gramme „Hungarian Dance” in Trieste. Ferenc Pleasant Days / Kornél Mundruczó / 2002 12 Grunwalsky’s Dancing Figure was introduced Angers: Best Interpretation: Orsolya Tóth, Tamás Polgár, Undine Award, by the live perfomance of the acclaimed Hun- Essone: Best Actress: Orsolya Tóth, Kata Wéber garian dancer Andrea Ladányi. MIX / Steven Lovy / 2004 9 This year Hungary was the guest of honour Salento: Special Mention at the Granada Short Film Festival – Nine young directors presented their short films to A Long Week-end in Pest and Buda / Károly Makk / 2003 8 the Spanish audience. Houston: Platina Remi Award Hommage to the Hungarian Cinema in Troia Down by Love / Tamás Sas / 2003 8 – FESTROIA devoted a retrospective pro- The Colour of Happiness / József Pacskovszky / 2003 7 gramme to the Hungarian cinema. Prestigious Houston: Golden Remi Award to Mara Bozóki (costumes), Golden Remi Special Award festival in Portugal presented ten outstand- Hukkle / György Pálfi / 2002 7 ing Hungarian films. Riga: Ecumenical Jury’s Prize, Vitoria: Special Mention Hungarian Film Weeks – We organised Happy Birthday! / Csaba Fazekas / 2003 6 Hungarian Film Weeks in Vienna and Salzburg Bánk bán / Csaba Káel / 2002 5 with the support of Collegium Hungaricum Chico / Ibolya Fekete / 2002 5 Wien and Filmarchiv Austria in the programme A Bus Came … / Sketch-film / 2003 5 the audience had the opportunity to see over 20 Hungarian films. Dancing Firgure / Grunwalsky Ferenc / 2003 5 Magyar Magic in Great Britain – Within the Vagabond / György Szomjas / 2003 5 framework of the Hungarian cultural season in Eastern Sugar / Ferenc Török / 2004 4 Great Britain Hungarian films were screened Bro’ / Zsombor Dyga / 2003 4 in more than 15 cities. Dad Goes Nuts / Tamás Sas / 2004 3 Rinaldo / Tamás Tóth / 2003 3 Film Days and Film Screenings Rose-Hill / Mari Cantu / 2004 3 In the year 2004 in cooperation with the Sobri / Emil Novák / 2003 3 Hungarian foreign missions and cultural insti- 2004 Getno / András Salamon / 2 tutes we organised Hungarian film days and Hungarian Beauty / Péter Gothár / 2003 2 special film screenings in Bern, Switzerland, in Montecarlo! / Gábor Fischer / 2004 2 Kuopio, Finland, Oslo, Norway, Brno, Ostrova Moscow Square / Ferenc Török / 2002 2 and Prague, the Czech Republic, Kaunas, Tamara / Szabolcs Hajdu / 2004 2 Lithuania, Tallin, Estonia, Almati, Kazakhstan, Sarajevo, Zagreb, Split, Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey, Amman, Jordan, Warsaw and SHORT, ANIMATION AND DOCUMENTARY FILMS Wroclaw, Poland.

Title / Director / Year of International Premier Festival invitations Retrospective Screenings in the World and prizes between In February a selection of the works of Péter January – November 2004 Forgács in Stockholm, Copenhagen and The Fox and the Raven / Ferenc Cakó / 2003 16 Malmö was presented in cooperation with Antalya: Best Animation Film, Public Jury's Prize, Houston: Gold Remi Prize, the local film institutes. Isfahan: Best Short Film The Film Museum of Split presented a Who’s the Cat? / Péter Mészáros / 2004 12 selection of Miklós Jancsó’s films in cooper- Zabok: Special Mention ation with the Hungarian Embassy in Zagreb. Pater-Noster / Dániel Béres / 2004 11 In April the Zagreb Film Institute pre- Grenades / Péter Politzer / 2003 10 sented a selection of István Szabó’s films, Houston: Platina Remi Award which were later screened in Trondheim and Ballroom Dancing / Lívia Gyarmathy / 2003 9 Calcutta. A Life Achievement Award was pre- Houston: Bronz Remi Award sented to István Szabó by the Copenhagen Prologue / / 2004 8 International Film Festival. 2003 Ceasefire! / Ferenc Rófusz / 8 In July a selection of Ferenc Cakó’s films Butterfly / István Komár / 2003 7 was screened in Grado at the LagunaMovies Joan aof Arc on the Night Bus / Kornél Mundruczó / 2003 6 film festival. Houston: Bronz Remi Award In August a retrospective selection of After Rain / Péter Mészáros / 2002 5 Péter Tímár’s works was presented at the Forio: Second Prize Zwierzyniec Film Festival. From Europe into Europe / Sketch-film / 2003 5 Selections of the films by Béla Tarr were Side-Track / Bence Makkai – Sándor Cs. Nagy / 2003 5 screened in June in Antwerp, Belgium and Houston: Arany Remi Award in July at the Cieszyn Film Festival in coop- Little Apokrypha No.1 / Kornél Mundruczó / 2003 5 eration with the Hungarian Institute in Little Apokrypha No.2 / Kornél Mundruczó / 2004 5 Warsaw. A retrospective screening was Belo Horizonte: Best Sound to Gábor Balázs devoted to Béla Tarr as an outstanding New Eldorado / Tibor Kocsis / 2004 4 event of the Hongarje Aan Zee. Sfintu-Gheorghe: Special Award, Special Mention, Student Jury’s Main Prize The Dike of Transience / Gyula Nemes / 2004 4 Golden Hut / Dezsô Zsigmond / 2004 4 Sfintu-Gheorghe: Main Prize (ex aequo), Best Cinematography to Arthur Bálint Shoes / Ferenc Török / 2003 4 Overboarder / Árpád Schilling / 2004 4 Days that were Filled by Sense of Fear / László Csáki / 2003 4 Gen(i)us Diabolis / Róbert Lakatos / 2004 4 Rendez-Vous / Ferenc Cakó / 2004 4 HUNGARIAN FILMS AND PRIZES AT MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS IN 2004

Berlin Benedek Fliegauf: Dealer — Forum Szabolcs Tolnai: Diary of an Unknown Man Berliner Zeitung’s Reader’s Prize to the Best Film of Forum — Dance for the Camera Péter Mészáros : Who’s The Cat? — Panorama Zoltán Fábri: Merry-Go-Round Mar Del Plata Benedek Fliegauf: Dealer — Treasures from National Film Archives Best Director, Special Mention for the quality and coher- Locarno Ferenc Török: Eastern Sugar ence of its images and music score, Argentine Filmcritics’ Béla Tarr: Prologue (Visions of Europe) Jury: Best Film, FIPRESCI Jury: Best Film, inematogra- Venice Árpád Schilling: Overboarder phers’ KODAK Jury: Best Cinematography — Corto Cortissimo Competition Cannes Nimród Antal: Kontroll — Un Certain Regard Youth Prize Montreal Benedek Fliegauf: Dealer Kornél Mundruczó: Little Apocrypha No. 2 Nimród Antal: Kontroll — Cinéfondation Attila Janisch: After the Day Before Shanghai Szabolcs Hajdu: Tamara — Competition Toronto Nimród Antal: Kontroll András Salamon: Getno Attila Janisch: After the Day Before Karlovy Vary Attila Janisch: After the Day Before — Competition Ágnes Kocsis: 18 Pictures from the Life of a Gyula Nemes: The Dike of Transience Conserve Factory Girl — Competition Pusan Attila Janisch: After the Day Before Benedek Fliegauf: Dealer Nimród Antal: Kontroll — Forum of Independents Cairo Zsuzsa Böszörményi: Guarded Secrets Nimród Antal: Kontroll — Variety Critics' Choice — Competition Steven Lovy: Mix — East of the West Tamás Sas: Dad Goes Nuts Ferenc Grunwalsky: Dancing Figure Steven Lovy: Mix 5 — Dance for the Camera 2004 2004 Hongarije Aan Zee Film events of the Hungarian Cultural Season in the Netherlands „You can get acquainted with a coun- promote the international DVD distrib- try very well through its films. It is ution of the films. only the universal language of film CINEKID FILM FESTIVAL that allows us to compress the out- Films by Ferenc Cakó, a workshop by standing periods of our history, the Ferenc Fischer problems of our everyday life and the Amsterdam, Cinekid, secrets of our soul into one and a October 17–24, 2004 half hours in such a way that it The popular festival of children’s and youth films presented a selection of should also reflect Hungarian men- Ferenc Cakó’s plasticine, paper and tality but should also be under- marionette animation films. His student standable for other nations.” and colleague, Ferenc Fisher held a Vera Bakonyi, Curator of Film Programs workshop for children teaching them various animation techniques.

HOLLAND FILM MEETING „A BREEZE OF HUNGARY” NFF, Utrecht, A selection of Hungarian student films September 22–October 1, 2004 Maastricht, FRAME/S/, Within the framework of the festival October 21–23, 2004 a Vagabond concert included. Film direc- an audiovisual conference was held The aim of the film festival is to pre- tor György Szomjas took part in the about the situation and future of sent works by creative and talented work of the jury. The films were pre- European coproductions. A special pro- film students. This year works made by sented in three other cities of the region. gramme was presented of the latest the students of the Intermedia and films of the EU member states with Visual Communication Department of Forest by Benedek Fliegauf represent- FILMS OF THE SPECIAL the University of Applied Arts and of ing Hungarian cinema. Several HUNGARIAN PROGRAMME: the University of Film and Theatre were Hungarian producers participated in the screened. János Xantus representing Attila Janisch: After the Day Before discussions. the University of Film and Theatre was Benedek Fliegauf: Dealer member of the jury and held a work- Nimród Antal: Kontroll BÉLA TARR— RETROSPECTIVE shop as well. Dezsô Zsigmond: Golden Hut Amsterdam, Utrecht, Szabolcs Hajdu: Tamara György Szomjas: Vagabond Hague, Eindhoven, HOLLAND ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL October 7–November 3, 2004 Ibolya Fekete: Chico Contemporary Hungarian animation Sándor Silló: Movie for Piano The critics of the British Utrecht, November 3–7, 2004 Tamás Almási: Down and Out ranked Béla Tarr the 13th among the Contemporary Hungarian animation best film directors while the American films will be shown at the well-known Variety selected him as one of the Ten international animation film festival Masters last year. Time Sights by István Orosz and A retrospective screening of Béla Arlequin by Kinga Rófusz are part of the Tarr’s films began on October 7 in program. Amsterdam as an outstanding event of the Hungarian Cultural Season in the NOORDELIJK FILM FESTIVAL Netherlands. The retrospective presents Béla Tarr’s works from The latest Hungarian films (1979), his first feature film, Satan Leeuwarden, Tango that brought him international November 10–14, 2004 recognition through to Werckmeister The film festival in the capital of Harmonies, that has been released Friesland devotes a special programme theatrically worldwide in many cine- to Hungary on the occasion of the mas. After the screenings in Amster- Hungarian Cultural Season in the dam, the programme of 12 films went in Netherlands. After the Day Before by Utrecht, Hague and Eindhoven. The Attila Janisch will be in competition and Béla Tarr DVD promotion booklet by a number of successful films made in MOKÉP was presented at the events to the past years will also be screened with 6 National Film Office

During the first months of operations the National Film Office have regis- National Film Office tered over 200 companies active in the motion picture industry. More than Wesselényi u. 16. 2nd Floor 40 feature films, animations and documentaries have been registered and H-1075 Budapest, Hungary classified, thus giving filmmakers the opportunity of applying for direct Tel: +36 1 327 7070, and indirect state subsidy. Fax: +36 1 321 9224 E-mail: info@filmoffice.hu Hallmark Entertainment finished shooting the production entitled “A Christmas Carrol” in September. The movie, based on the homonymous story by Charles Dickens, features, among others Kelsey Grammer, Geraldine Chaplin and Jennifer Love-Hewitt. In local terms this shooting has raised special interest because this was the first film to apply for the tax break certificate granted by the Motion Picture Act. Although at present the National Film Office is still auditing the production, the issue of the first tax benefit cer- tificate has been closely followed by both the local and international press. The National Film Office has been contacted by Variety, the Wall Street Journal Europe, the Danish paper Berlingske Tidende, the Hungarian Radio and Világgazdaság.

One of the features registered as co-production with Hungarian participation is the movie called “The Best Man”. While shooting has not yet begun, the filmmakers have managed to find a partner and sign a contract for the budget refund. Shooting will be handled by Inforg Stúdió, as the service company.

In November the website of the National Film Office is to be launched, initially with a Hungarian version available at www.nemzetifilmiroda.hu. The international version will be accessible by the end of the year. In addition to news and comprehensive information the site will contain of the downloadable forms nec- essary for the company and film registrations, as well as for the “age limit” and “art” classifications.

The MEDIA Plus Programme of the Euroean Union

How to get to know about what is happening in the world of Media Plus in the easiest way? ON-LINE REGISTRATION

We gladly announce that the website of Media Desk MEDIA Plus Programme — Call for proposals Hungary is eventually completed. Anyone interest- ed can have up-to-date information from the begin- Upcôming Applicatiôn Deadlines: ning of November, concerning calls for proposals of Media Plus Programme, professional training cours- 95/2003 — Tv Broadcasting 03 November 2004 es, European audiovisual events and happenings and last but not least you can read about our own 71/2004 — Audiovisual Festivals 19 November 2004 business, if you visit www.mediadesk.hu. /for projects which start between 1 May 2005 and 31 October 2005/ But there is one thing which is more important: any- one who would like to be informed about main events 04 April 2005 should REGISTER on-line him/herself or his or her /for projects which start between 1 November 2005 and 30 April 2006/ organization on the website and those who would like to have their names or their organizations’ into 92/2003 — Distribution Selective Scheme 01 December 2004 the database of Media Desk should REGISTER on- line too. 35/2004 — Promotion: Acces to Markets and 03 December 2004 Application forms can be downloaded from the European Audiovisual Festivals Networks) homepage of Media Programme: /for annual projects and projects starting http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/ between 1 May 2005 and 31 December 2005/ index_en.html MEDIA DESK HUNGARY Tel: + 36 1 413 12 69, 413 12 70 · Fax: + 36 1 413 17 10 [email protected] · www.mediadesk.hu 7 The Board of Directors of Eurimages held its 91st Board Meeting in Istanbul between 3–6 October 2004. The European Support Fund agreed to support 13 feature films for a total amount of 4.422 000 Euros.

1. Decisions concerning Hungarian projects: PRODUCTION: The Archbishop's Visit (HU, RO, IT) – Zoltán Kamondi, Honeymood Films 430 000 ¤

DISTRIBUTION: Werckmeister harmóniák (Moebius Ass. RO) 8 000 ¤ Kelj fel Jancsi (Moebius Ass. RO) 5 000 ¤ Examen (T. Munteanu) (Klorofilm BT. HU) 6 000 ¤ Ének a csodaszarvasról (SC Chicago Tour RO) 6 000 ¤ Rózsadomb (SC Chicago Tour) 7 800 ¤ A rózsa vére (SC Interfilm RO) 5 000 ¤ Na végre itt a nyár (SC Interfilm RO) 5 000 ¤

ALTOGETHER: 472 800 ¤

2. The Board of Directors re-elected Jacques Toubon as president of Eurimages for two years. 3. As an austerity measure, from the next year on the number of meetings will decrease: the “political meet- ing” will be held together with the last meeting discussing projects. Although the exact dates and times are still unknown it is worthwhile noting that the first meeting of 2005 will be held in Strasbourg between February 27th and March 2nd 2005. The deadline for submission is 10th January 2005. 4. The “travelling film week” of films with digital subtitles began in Istanbul (its opening coincided with the meeting of Eurimages). The second stop will be Bucharest. The seven films supported by Eurimages include Peppermint, a Hungarian-Greek coproduction by Focus Film which was also the opening film of the event. 5. The Sevilla Film Festival has established a separate Eurimages section. One of the films supported by the Fund will receive an award of 30 000 ¤. 6. 8 coproductions of the 42 preselected films competing for the European Film Award have been sup- ported by Eurimages. Another 4 films are in competition in other sub-categories.

October 2004 Zsolt Kézdi-Kovács, Hungarian Representative of Eurimages

Hungarian Film Commission in Los Angeles

Hungarian Film Commission in Los Angeles is currently han- HOT AUTUMN IN LOS ANGELES dling 1O plus projects in various stages of development, all Before the curtain came down in Venice and Toronto, the Best interested in coming to shoot on location in Hungary in the Foreign Language movie race started to heat up in Hollywood. next year. Both entrenched in Prague, Fox and Warner have Reaping the Cannes publicity of the movie’s Un Certain also indicated a will to move their projects southward pro- Regard success, LA based Bunyik Entertainment rushed vided that Budapest can offer the filming environment and KONTROL to an early screening for the HFPA in early June. infrastructure similar to Barrandov and MediaPro or Castel Now, with US distrib ThinkFilm taking full charge of the cam- in Romania. paign, the film will bow again for the Golden Globe voters, In one way or another, the Hungarian Film Commission has hopefully completed by a press conference with Nimrod Antal been involved in several projects and tenders including SEM- who has set up partial residence in Los Angeles to complete MELWEIS (Director Bruce Beresford scouted Hungary in a script and screen in-pouring offers from his agent at the September), and a Joel Silver production for Warner’s (the Creative Artists Agency. director and the executive producer visited Budapest in With the film bill now in effect, during the summer Hungary October), both set to go in the spring 2OO5. Due to a last minute has become the focus of attention in Hollywood. The scheduling change, Hungarian born director-screenwriter Mokép News Hungarofilm Division

This year’s Cannes Marché du Film ended with very good LOVE and THE KOLTAI’S DIARY were selected by a Polish results for MOKÉP HUNGAROFILM DIVISION. A lot of our pay TV. negotiations terminated with a signed contract and we are working on reaching a mutual agreement for the rest. Besides MOKEP HUNGAROFILM’s team is working on preparing a meeting our regular clients, we established new business retrospective that includes television broadcasting as well, relationships as well. on the occasion of the upcoming 80th birthday of Károly MAKK next year. We commenced negotiations in Cannes One of our most important projects at the Cannes Film with British, Israeli, Finnish, American and Russian parties. Market this year was the preparation of the international DVD release of the Bela TARR oeuvre. We concluded two con- Singaporean cinema audience can enjoy 3 Hungarian movies tracts: one for the US and the other for Greece on the seven first time ever. Taking advantage of their knowledge of the features and all television works of Bela TARR. Currently we Far-East and interpersonal relations, the team of the MOKEP are having negotiations for the territories of the Benelux HUNGAROFILM DIVISION sold JADVIGA’S PILLOW, ABAN- states, Israel, France and the UK. We sold the theatrical rights DONED and SCHOOL OF SENSES for the city-state. The of DAMNATION and so French Tarr fans will be able to enjoy Japanese keep following with interest the development of it in theatres together with Hungarian cinematography. Currently we are expecting their and , which are going to be re-released by the decision on the acquisitions of DANCING FIGURE and ROOTS. buyer of DAMNATION. The series of success of HUKKLE still continues. A new busi- Currently we are working on selling the TV rights of ness relationship established in Cannes this year resulted in COLONEL REDL for the French ARTE Channel. THE BOYS sales of DVD rights for the territory of the former Soviet OF PAUL STREET will be shown again in Italy and RAI 3 is Union. planning on broadcasting the works of Benedek FLIEGAUF this winter. Our partner from an Israeli television channel, In the international DVD market new Hungarian titles are who bought 15 Hungarian films this year, is planning on going to be released in the near future. At the beginning of acquiring another package. An American client is consider- year 2005 LOVE, CAT’S PLAY and MATTIE, THE GOOSEBOY ing the broadcasting of Hungarian features using the new (animation) in the USA, MEPHISTO and COLONEL REDL in HD technique. the UK and we are currently having negotiations about LOVE and ANOTHER WAY. A new Italian pay TV, which is going to be launched in 2005, is planning on broadcasting SLEEPWAKERS, VAGABOND, Suzanne Szigeti THE COLOUR OF HAPPINESS, FOREST and EASTERN Director of Sales SUGAR. Another Italian partner is interested in acquiring Masha Muszély HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAMARA, WINNING TICKET, AFTER Assistant to Director of Sales, PR THE DAY BEFORE, DEALER and RINALDO. LOVE, CLOSE TO

Frank Darabont had to scratch a Budapest locations scout in Based on wide ranging talks with industry figures in Cannes, mid-September with plans to, hopefully, arrive in Hungary Venice and Toronto, the Hungarian Film Commission has Christmas-time when he will search for exteriors for his next reason to believe that the independent film world on this side movie, a remake of the sixties classic, FAHRENHEIT 451. of the continent will be increasingly eager to embrace pro- Adding another project to a successful work relationship with jects originated in Hungary before they materialize as movies Eurofilm, Sandstorm Entertainment is getting ready roll THE completed for pickup. Relaxation of Hun tax incentives on VELVET SIDE OF HELL, a 4,5 million USD thriller for Sony the co-production model certainly provides a great step in in Hungary in early 2OO5. With mostly British and German that direction. financing, also scheduled to lense in the spring 2OO5, is the In the fall of 2OO4, the Los Angeles scene will be abuzz with period drama BATHORY written and directed by French the American Film Market now permanently moved to a actress Julie Delpy who will also star along with Ethan Hawke. November slate so it can run parallel with the AFI Film Looking for an early start in 2OO5 is Tule River Films’ pro- Festival which provides a forum to foreign directors (includ- duction SHE DIED TWICE, starring Penelope Cruz, and ing Nimrod Antal) to hook up with audiences after the screen- financing is being raised for the Mandy Moore starrer FULL ing of their respective movies as part of the upcoming awards9 MOON TO FRANCE. A last minute change of helmers has campaign. slowed down principal photography of another indie project with Milla Jovovich as the leading lady. Anikó Návai, Los Angeles COMING SOON Our list is based on the „A great many books and films have affairs of people with some Gypsies discussed Sándor Kõrösi Csoma’s trip, among them who live among extreme information provided by his oeuvre and his scientific and lin- circumstances. Their quest for hap- the production companies. guistic significance. I do not wish to piness, in spite of some temporary provide yet another biography or yet failures, suggests an ending that another interpretation, although the brings some hope especially through script has been inspired by moments the life of the young teacher who has Péter Bergendy of his life and his fate.” Tibor Szemzõ emerged from this retracting envi- Stop Mommy Theresa! ronment. We are trying to find an Producer: István Bodzsár, Elemér Ragályi answer to the question whether he Production company: Unió Film Wonderfilm will slide back or try to find a way to Completion: June 2004 Producer: Gábor Kálomista, help his one time mates. Expected release: December 2004 Production company: Megafilm Shooting: August – October 2004, József Pacskovszky Budapest, Crete Four Seasons in Space Expected premier: February 2005 Producer: Pál Sándor, Production company: Hunnia Filmstudio Shooting: from May 2004, Budapest, Rome, Moscow István Szabó Expected premier: February 2005 Being Julia Andrey, the Russian astronaut, who Producer: Robert Lantos, Lajos has been left in space and his wife, Óvári, Production company: Svetlana, a black virgin, a female Movie SPC, I.S.L. Film criminal psychologist who interro- Shooting: June – August 2003, gates a prisoner with an interest that An adaptation of Zsuzsa Rácz’s top list Budapest, Kecskemét, London verges on the personal, an elderly book Stop Mummy Theresa! – The Premiered: Toronto International man, whose ear gets cut off by a hair- story of Kata Kéki, a young woman in Film Festival, September 2004 dresser girl, an actor and an extra her early thirties ambling down the BEING JULIA based on W. Somerset A film which proves that miracles do girl… Lives, fates, stories mingle paths of men, jobs and life. A roman- Maugham’s “Theatre” and adapted by exist. On the other side of the world in before a backdrop of many strange tic comedy. Academy Award Winner Ronald Heraklion, the ancestor of our protag- events. Harwood (“The Pianist”), is an intox- onist is dictating his last will in the Diana Groó icating combination of wicked com- bedroom of a fabulous villa. He decides Gyula Nemes A Miracle in Cracow edy and smart drama, starring that Capsis, one of his numerous My One and Onlies Producer: Gábor Garami, Annette Bening as the beautiful and hotels, should be inherited by the Producer: György Durst, Production company: Cinema beguiling actress Julia Lambert. In descendant of a rebellious relative. Production company: Mediawave Film, Katapult Film – Studio Tor London in 1938, Julia Lambert is at 2000, Duna TV (Poland), Chaplin Film her peak, physically and profession- Róbert Adrian Pejó Shooting: November 2003 Shooting: September 2003 ally, but her successful theatrical Dallas – August 2004 – April 2004, Cracow, Budapest career and her marriage to handsome Producer: László Kántor, Andreas Expected premier: February 2005 Expected premier: February 2005 impresario Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Bareiss (Germany), Helmut Irons) have become stale and unful- Grasser (Austria), Production filling. She longs for novelty, excite- company: Új Budapest ment, sparks. Enter Tom Fennell Filmstúdió, MTM-Medien und (Shaun Evans), a younger man who Television München (Germany), claims to be Julia's greatest fan. Allegro Film (Austria) Finding his ardor irresistible, she Shooting: August – December 2003, decides that romance is the best anti- Rumania, Hungary dote to a mid-life crisis and embarks Expected premier: February 2005 on a passionate affair. Life becomes more daring and exciting, until Julia's young lover callously tries to relegate her to a supporting role. But on opening night, Julia reveals that she is a more formidable actress than A striker's last day and big love. anyone ever imagined. Several hundred girls and several thousand cuts with radical urban folk Tibor Szemzô music. Csoma Legendry Producer: György Durst, Attila Mispál Production company: Mediawave Paths of Light 2000, Duna TV Producer: Péter Miskolczi, Shooting: September 2003 Production company: – July 2004, India The film which is set in Cracow tells Eurofilm Studio Expected premier: February 2005 the story of a Polish boy and Hun- The film presents the life of a closed Shooting: November 2003 – May garian girl. They meet accidentally community living in a dump through 2004, Budapest, Kecskemét and fall in love. In the mystical the main character who has already Expected premier: February 2005 atmosphere of the Jewish quarter in managed to break away from them or Cracow, a miraculous rabbi, a magic Two parallel stories are linked in this at least that is what he believes. The book and an ancient toy, the “tren- film: two terrible losses and two par- story is about the natural emotions, derly” control the adventures and allel healings. everyday life, vital struggles and love emotions of the two young people. 10 Films in Production Zsombor Dyga István Szaladják the money dwindles, Miskolc isn’t Bedlam Bird Releaser, Cloud, Wind Chicago and Lili and Pali aren’t Producer: György Durst, András Producer: Dr András Muhi, István Bonnie and Clyde. - Based on the Dávid, Production company: Major, Attila Csáky, Production autobiographical book Bonnie and Mediawave 2000, Akna Film, companies: Inforg Stúdió, Clyde from Miskolc by 20 year old Duna Television Filmteam, Cameofilm Tünde Novák, written while serving Shooting: July-August 2004, Shooting:July 2004, Hungary her prison sentence Budapest Expected premier: February 2005 Expected premier: February 2005

Roland Vranik Black Brush Producer: István Major, Co-pro- ducers: Gábor Kovács, András dr. An woman’s atom-proof handbag falls Muhi, Production company: into the hands of three button football Filmteam, Coproduction partners: fanatics living in a high rise estate. Filmpartners, Inforg Stúdió But what is inside the handbag? And why is a superannuated football play- Shooting: August 2004, Budapest, The film tells the story of how Bird Áron Gauder er, a nymphomaniac wife, a macho Tatabánya Releaser, a man of a strong and inde- The District (animation) manager woman, a diabetic civilian Expected premier: February 2005 pendent character meets a peasant Producer: Erik Novák, Production boy. As they are going in the same company: Lichthof direction, the boy joins the strange Expected release: December 2004 man and during their wanderings they talk about life and death as well as the importance of sacrifice. A new world opens up for the boy. The Bird Releaser is free and carefree. He is a man possessing the knowledge that puts him beyond the world of the everyday mind.

Krisztina Deák Who The Hell Is Boni and Klájd? Producer: Gábor Garami, Production company: Cinema Film Shooting: August 2003 – January In the legendary eighth district of 2004, Miskolc Budapest a group of kids, Gypsies, Expected premier: December 2004 Chinese and Arab boys want to get a lot of money to be able to make peace between their warring parents. They The topic of the film is the lost gener- cop and the bank robber trio who can realise that the easiest way is to find ation of our present, those 25-35 year hardly be called brain surgeons chase oil under the district. old people who grew up after the polit- after them so relentlessly? The answer ical changes. – “After an afternoon that can only be found in this action-com- Ákos Barnóczky has gone astray, four fake chimney edy of fantastic speed…. Budapest Harlem sweepers look for the solution in the Producer: György Dóra stomach of a goat and find it.” Roland Péter Tímár Produced by New Balance Vranik Heads Off! Producer: Pál Sándor, Co-produc- Shooting: Budapest Dr. Putyi Horváth er: Tamás Tolmár, Production Expected premier: December 2004 - Death Rode out of Persia companies: Hunnia Filmstúdió, January 2005 Producer: Béla Tarr, Production Mafilm, RTL company: T. T. Filmmûhely Shooting: August – September 2004, Shooting: August – November 2004 Fót, Hungary Expected premier: February 2005 Expected premier: February 2005 Leafing through his works after three The films is set in the Middle Ages, but years of alcoholic stupor, the Writer this shouldn’t be taken too seriously. decides not to simply keep drinking, There is a country ruled by a loony but to work as well as he intends to king. This does not create a havoc of Lili, a teenage girl living in emotion- drink his wine with water rich in vari- any kind as more or less everybody is al and economic poverty, discovers ous minerals. Based on Péter Hajnóczy’s slightly bonkers over there… love and the keys to a vault full of short novel. money all on one day: the love grows,

11 COMING SOON Nándor Lerner is successful but slight- András Szôke ly smug building contractor. One single Zsiguli mistake is enough for him to suddenly Producer: Szohár Ferenc, István find himself in a world totally strange Demeter, Production company: for him. In a single minute he loses his Cinemart car, his stocks and shares worth sever- Shooting: June 2004, Szolnok al million and even his beautiful girl- Expected premier: February 2005 friend. At such times other people turn to their friends. However, he never had any. Since he has no hope to find help anywhere else, he makes friends with Veréb, the Romani car mechanic who enjoys singing even though he is tone deaf, and his two companions, Ricsi, the rambunctious Elvis imitator and the taciturn Robi, who lives only for women and fights. They have a single day to jump into Veréb’s newly tuned 1200, get back everything and overcome all evil as well as the prejudices they have deep The comedy is based on interviews down against one another. made with motor bike policemen. The film tells true stories strung up in a Lajos Koltai now could be hell and heaven, in so Róbert Koltai series by our imagination. Fateless much as the film is about Joan’s unwill- Colossal Sensation The heroes are two motor bike police- Producer: András Hámori, ingly turning into a saint and the Producer: Gábor P. Koltai, man, Ric and Enduros. The film tells Production company: Magyar tragedy that is involved. Naturally the Production company: Filmsziget the story of a day in their life. On that Mozgókép division of heaven and hell is rather a Shooting: March – May 2004, fateful day they find themselves right Shooting: December 2003 – June direction of interpretation to reinforce Romania, Hungary in the middle of a big time weapon 2004, Budapest, Piliscsaba, the idea that self sacrificing Joan Expected release: December 2005 smuggling case. The police investiga- Dunaújváros, Németország remains completely alone with her tion tries to shed more light on the Expected premier: February 2005 ideals between the hell of accusations details as well as the rope our heroes and the heaven of her admirers. played in the case. There’s a lot of talk- An adaptation of the Nobel-prize win- ing which makes the case even more ning novel by Imre Kertész, this is a Márta Mészáros confusing… film of constant understanding and The Unburied Man – The Diary of trying to understand. Imre Nagy Peter Greenaway Producer: Attila Csáky, Michal Tulse Luper Suitcases 3 – From Kornél Mundruczó Kwiecinski, Igor Hudec, Start to Finish Joan Production companies: Producers and production compa- Producer: Viktória Petrányi, Béla Cameofilm, AKSON STUDIO Clown Shlomo has twins in a traveling nies: Kees Kasander (Kasander Tarr, Production companies: T.T. (Poland), ARS MEDIA (Slovakia) circus company at the beginning of the Film), Sipos Áron (Focus Film), Filmmûhely, Proton Cinema Shooting: July – December 2003, 1900s. Following in the footsteps of Klaus Volkenborn, Soeth Sandor Shooting: August – September 2004 Hungary, Slovakia their father, the boys become popular (Net Entertainment), Alexander Expected premier: February 2005 Released: 23 October 2004 circus-artists. … What kind of answers Mikhaylov (12a Film Studios), can we give to the challenges „history” Jimmy De Brabant (Delux presents us with interfering again and Production), Eva Baro, Antoni again with our personal lives? Sole (ABS Productions), Gherardo Pagliei (GAM Films) Pál Erdôss Shooting: September 2003 – May Üvegfal 2004, Italy, Germany, Hungary Producer: Szohár Ferenc, Expected completion: February 2005 Production company: Cinemart Shooting: August 2004, Budapest, The film will follow the history of the Szolnok 20th century through Tulse Luper’s Expected premier: February 2005 life from 1928, the discovery of ura- nium (which is important for the atomic bomb as well as the develop- ment of history) until 1989, the tum- bling of the Berlin wall, comprising 92 events which had an important impact on world history, from the point of view of 92 characters and showing the contents of 92 suitcases.

When I finished my opera film Joan of A bad joke of history is that while Béla Tarr Arc on the Night Bus, I realised that a Imre Nagy’s name is known and The film s tells the story of changes in The Man from London great figure of a great legend had respected in the whole world, in his human relationships in the shadow of Producer: Gábor Téni, Humbert remained small and unfinished in a so homeland his role is still debated. a little girl’s deadly illness. Her illness Balsan, Miki Zahar, Christoph called grand form. It is not about Joan, They often judge him for reasons of reformulates the relationship of the Mayer Wiel, Joachim von but I am really interested in Joan of Arc. petty daily political fights. This film adults, their despair brings their clean Vietinghoff, Juliusz Kossakowski, If we consider Joan’s vision about her tries to cast a new light on the fate of emotions to the surface and they can Kevan van Thompson, Production kindness and outsiderness before her the Prime Minister, Imre Nagy, who live in these new and pure relation- company: T. T. Filmm_hely death in the short film a purgatory, the died as a martyr. ships from now on. 70 minute independent film to be shot

12 Hungarians in Cannes

Shooting: November - February 2004, Corsica Expected completion: May 2005 Hungary, where a comprehensive film law providing Based on the novel of the same title by for stable public support for filmmakers, was passed . earlier this year, will have its own pavilion at Cannes. Nick Holdsworth, The Hollywood Reporter Enzo Monteleone Tunnel of Freedom Hungary under „Kontroll” – The Hungarian arrive in Producers and production compa- force in Cannes. With the slogan „New law, new deal, nies: Carlo Degli Esposti new talents”, a Hungarian Pavilion at the International (Palomar), Áron Sipos (Focus Village and 41 titles (projects), most of all Nimród Film), Kees Kasander (Kasander Antal’s Kontroll in UCR and the short Little Apocrypha Film) No.2 by Kornél Mundruczó in Cinéfondation. Shooting: October-December 2004, Cannes Market News Hungary Expected completion: March 2005 The Newcomers - The big news in Hungary is the Motion A group of Italian university students Picture Act, which offers tax breaks to foreign investors living in Berlin dig a tunnel under the and producers as well as subsidies for local producers. Wall in 1961 to help their friends who at Cannes got stuck in East Berlin escape. Talent Spotting: Born in L. A. to Hungarian parents, Lamberto Lambertini Antal moved to Eastern Europe at 17. His debut feature Fire at My Heart Kontroll, which plays in Un Certain Regard at Cannes, Production companies: Focus embodies the best of both cultural climates. Film, Indrapur Cinematografica, Screen International Stella Film Shooting: from October 2004, Italy, Kontroll - Successfully combining the dynamic impetu- Hungary osity of an American action film with the darker broody Expected completion: September moods of the Magyar soul, international recognition 2005 has now come with a slot in Un Certain Regard at A young man’s struggle for himself Cannes. and for love, amid the eternal struggle Screen International at Cannes between old and new, reality and Hungarians in the underground – Tamás Hutlassa is appearance, the heart and the mind during the reign of Murat, the myste- the producer of the Hungarian film which represents rious king of the mysterious Naples. Hungary at Cannes in the official programme for the first time after six years. Gábor Dettre J.-P. G.. Le Film francais, Quotidien Romacop Producer: László Kántor, Hungary, the country that is considered the champion Production companies: Új rider among the countries that have newly joined the Budapest Filmstúdió, Bow and European Union, is represented by Kontroll in the pro- Axe (Polen), Gute Filme (Swiss) gramme called „Un Certain Regard” at Cannes. In Shooting: from November 2004, Hungary a new film law has been passed which in many Hungary respects resembles the French cinema financing model. Expected completion: May 2005 Fabrice Leclerc, Le Film Francais, Quotidien The film follows the story of a suc- It is hard, very hard to be twenty years old in Hungary, cessful police investigation. Its pro- tagonist is a sub-lieutenant of Gypsy so the hero of Kontroll throws himself into the maze origin with a degree in law who does of tunnels in the underground where strange encoun- his job mostly as a lonely hero. ters turn his life upside down. The director of the Because of his origin and his wife who day(night)dream(mare) is Nimród Antal. has come home to live from America Philippe Paumier, Cinelive he becomes the target of social preju- dice. This is aggravated by a police The 23rd Prix de la Jeunesse was awarded to Kontroll, case in which the suspect happens to the first feature from Hungarian director Nimród Antal, be a Gypsy as well… presented in the UCR section. French actress Cécile de France, who oversaw the young jury, bestowed this Bánki Iván recognition to the film team at a ceremony in the Palais Train from Hell Producer: Miklós Szita, des Festivals. Production company: Goess Film Festival de Cannes News Shooting: 2005, Hungary, Austria, A year ago, Hungarian film production was at a near Turkey, Swiss, Israel standstill. Today, plans are being made for the con- Expected release: 2006 summer struction of a new state-of-the-art film studio in How was Kasztner able to get 1684 Budapest. people out of Budapest on a train on The result is a new Hungarian cinema scene that was July 30, 1944? Who was he? (The good the talk of this year’s . and evil in one soul?) What a devilish Ron Holloway, Variety game did he play and how much did he pay for it? 13 by Oldand New Gábor Gelencsér Continuation and revival in Hungarian cinema at the millennium

n every age and period the beginnings profession and the audience, as the cham- to his students to make their fist full i of new areas were always closely con- pion riders of a new wave pulled the whole length feature films parallel with obtain- nected to social and economic changes. It profession along. ing their degree. Compared to many direc- has particularly been true in the case of The members of the new generation left tors who graduated in the 1990s and either cinema, especially in Eastern Europe in secondary school in the years around the „disappeared” or had to fight their strug- film productions that have been support- political changes, which meant that they gles alone, this class was given an enor- ed by the governments and controlled by did not have to get rid of their old artistic mous help when starting their career. It various ideologies. Consequently, related reflexes since they simply had not existed seems they have made good use of their to the political changes that occurred in for them. They were not touched by the talent and opportunities. In the past few 1989 the beginning of a new era was also changes in society, or rather, and it is years, the success of the calls has appeared expected in cinema – however this new era equally important circumstance as shown as the success of a generation in which does not seem to have come. All the polit- in their films, it touched them in a differ- even young directors who did not gradu- ical changes induces was the release of ent way. Some of the members of the ate as Simó’s students or did not attend certain subject matters that were earlier young generation shake off with a natur- film school at all (like Benedek Fliegauf) considered as taboo, the style, formal al ease the tradition of committedness and are often included. The powerful appear- world, in other words the artistic shoot clearly genre films or ones that have ance of a young generation often revives approach of Hungarian cinema remained a very personal vision. The other half of the older generations as well and the suc- unchanged. What was remarkable in the group, however, do not give up their cess achieved at festivals or in the cinemas Hungarian cinema at the turn of the sensitivity towards social phenomena, turn the attention once again towards 1980s and 1990s, like Béla Tarr for exam- they continue the many decade long tra- Hungarian cinema. All the above indicates ple, that had already been born earlier, dition of Hungarian film, but they try to that some thing has happened around independent of the political changes while depict the new phenomena with a differ- Hungarian cinema in the past few years. the majority of the films reflected an artis- ent kind of sensitivity and new forms and The still waters have been rippled and tic crisis rather than a revival. tools. This is how past and present live there have been smaller or bigger waves, A decade had to pass before we were able together in the Hungarian cinema of the we experience success and failure, great to speak about a new era in Hungarian cin- millennium, even in the works of the gen- professional cooperation and fall out over ema: about a fresh generation, an original eration at the beginning of their career. survival first then over the improvement vision and unique ambitions as regards Before giving a rough overview of the most of financial possibilities. In short, the genre. I believe there was no “belatedness” important trends of the recent past as well Hungarian cinema is alive and kicking, it to speak about, the lengthy transitional as the near future that is outlined by the has many colours and varieties and it is period was simply the unavoidable period film plans, it is worth referring to a par- worth paying attention to. of “already not in the old way but not yet ticular circumstance regarding the The greatest surprises in the past few in the new”. When the “reading between appearance of the new generation. The years have undoubtedly been caused by the lines” tactic became obsolete overnight artistic revival of the Hungarian film in young film directors but, as in general in for the generation that became socialised the 1960s and then in the 1970s was not the case of new waves, the members of the simply related to the middle or older generations are not idle appearance of a new gener- either. It is the unfairness of the excite- ation but also the various ment caused by novelties, which is hard to classes of one or two impor- accept for a generation that is still in its tant tutor-directors such as prime as regards their artistic abilities but Máriássy’s class (Judit is gradually pushed into the background. Elek, Pál Gábor, Imre Gyön- With good reason, we may add, because on gyössy, Zoltán Huszárik, the one hand the oeuvres in question are Ferenc Kardos, Zsolt Kézdi- hardly finished, while on the other hand Kovács, János Rózsa, István the films they make are very valuable. All Szabó) who graduated in in all, Miklós Jancsó does not have „gen- 1961, or Herskó’s class eration” problems, besides his intellectu- (Lívia Gyarmathy, Pál Sán- al openness, as the oldest active film direc- dor, Sándor Simó) who tor, he makes the films of the youngest in that particular intellectual environment graduated in 1964. We experienced a sim- attitude to life. The latest two parts of the the change naturally caused difficulties (it ilar phenomenon at the end of the 1990s. series building up a unified cycle Jancsó still is for some) while the new generation Moreover, the students in Simó’s class has again turned towards history (Wake had to wait to get the right chance. Well, were not only given a great pedagogue in Up Mate, The Battle of Mohács), just like this waiting bear fruit by the millennium. the person of Sándor Simó, who passed Márta Mészáros who continues the sub- A new, strong generation of film directors away in 2001, but also, as required by the ject matter of her Diary series with her new appeared on the scene who, with their new demands of new times, an excellent film about the execution of Imre Nagy (The fresh vision, their success regarding the producer who tried to give an opportunity Unburied Man – The Diary of Imre Nagy). 14 István Szabó’s new film (Being Julia) is set great enthusi- before World War II, during the era of fas- asm. There are cism, while Fateless, Lajos Koltai’s first several members film as a director is based on Imre of the Simó class Kertész’s novel. It shows that the moral who carry on the and artistic demand for adapting histori- interest of the cal subjects is still very much alive. Hungarian film The present period seems to be the most towards public difficult for the middle generation and for matters, in other the one that started their career at the words while form- time of the political changes. It was ing their own per- almost exactly a decade ago that they sonal style and called attention to themselves by the vision is very renewal of style as well as subject matter. important, they Since then their art has not changed basi- consider it equal- cally, the walk down their own (lonely) ly essential to give word about the world with public success. Thus the situation has paths with determination and consisten- we live in, based on direct, life-like expe- hardly changed (out of politeness I will not cy, their high standard works, however, riences of everyday events. The most char- enumerate the examples although there can more and more be measured only by acteristic figure of this trend is Ferenc are quite a few). However, there are also themselves, their own artistic ideals and Török who, in his film Moscow Square was promising exceptions, Kontroll, Nimród now by the new kinds of expectations the first to formulate in an incredibly Antal’s first film for example has been very towards the new types of films. Among the vivid form the life experience of the gen- well received by both the profession and reasons for their „loneliness” we may per- eration that became conscious at the time the audience and it has also won several haps find the fact that only very rarely, of the political changes and have had a festival prizes. So much together sound usually at five year intervals do they get very different attitude towards the past. almost like a miracle. Several (moreover an opportunity to make a film. From Török has broken away from not only the the most!) of the films to be screened at the among the members of this generation Kádár era but also the cinema conven- next Film Week give rise to similar hopes last year Attila Janish presented a new, tions of it, while he also continued the with Who the Hell is Boniésklájd? by perfectly polished piece of his director’s first film „tradition” of Hungarian cine- Krisztina Deák, a film based on a true oeuvre (After the Day Before) and we can ma, as he made the „my way home” film of crime story, Stop Mommy Theresa! by expect similar films by Ildikó Enyedi and his own generation. Eastern Sugar that Péter Bergendy based an a bestseller, László Kamondi in the near future. The has recently opened is also a generational Róbert Koltay’s latest nostalgia film, effective appearance of the new genera- confession, this time about wasted young Colossal Sensation, Dallas, a film with tion has been helped not only by good lives in the provinces and I wouldn’t be promisingly interesting poor-romanticism films but also the varied styles, genres and surprised is his next work (Wonderfull by Róbert Pejó, Bedlam a genre play by subjects. There are director’s films made Wilds) would show a similar interest. Zsombor Dyga and Gyula Nemes’s first by some of the members of this genera- The most determined and let us add, most film, My One and Onlies, a love confession tion who have depicted the world of the balanced struggle as fought against the of a generation among them. May we hope millennium with an original form culture. naturalisation of the genre film. It has not for further success with the audiences as They do not only see different things but been easy as the old masters are not with well as director’s films with good profes- they see them in a different way, too. They us any more, that is the Hungarian film sional reception and prizes won at festi- receive all the prizes at international fes- has been struggling with genre-ness since vals? Could it be possible that these films tivals and they also have an audience few the 1970s. However, there is not tradition, will meet all the above demands at the in numbers but all the more enthusiastic. there if no professional experience, money same time thus filling up the deep chasm Some of the members of the group have is scarce and even criticism has not between „box office hits” and „art films”? already made their first film and also a received the attempts in a very friendly Let us have faith in the miracle of much more difficult second one (Kornél manner. All that is „left” is the audience Hungarian cinema! We have all the right Mundruczó, Szabolcs Hajdu, Benedek which apparently is more and more impor- to be hopeful. Fliegauf). György Pálfi is about to finish tant for the Hungarian film makers. The October 2004 this second step (Taxidermy). Diana Groó dramaturgy of the struggle around the has finished her first film (A Miracle In genre film is the same as before, profes- Cracow) which has been expected with sional criticism can be swept off the table Filmunió NEWSLETTER www.filmunio.hu Published by Magyar Filmunió H-1068 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 38. Tel: +36-1 351-7760 Fax: +36-1 352-6734 E-mail: [email protected] Lay-out by Arktisz Stúdió Translated by Annamária Róna Printed by Gelbert Kft. HU ISSN 1785-4865 Supported by 15 Új Budapest Filmstúdió Presents

he Új Budapest Filmstúdió was vals, its great achievements and films pro- few years three projects of the Új Buda- T established on April 28 2001 as a pri- duced, it has become a company interna- pest Filmstúdió have been selected for vate company. It was formed as the spir- tionally known. It is unique in its feature the producers’ meeting in Mannheim. itual successor of Budapest Filmstúdió, that it tries to create a strong cultural dia- DALLAS and EASTERN SUGAR have a workshop with the greatest Hungarian logue within the East European region. already been completed while ROMACOP film making traditions. It tries to achieve a characteristically will be launched this year. American, At the time of its establishment Új Buda- strong differentiation in order to create Dutch, French, German, Austrian, Bul- pest Filmstúdió set as its targets the man- the image of a company which partici- garian. Serbian and Romanian film pro- ifold and continuous presence in the film pates in Hungarian and international ducing companies have been our copro- market which it deliberately integrated tenders with projects developed at high duction partners. We have organised into its communication and promotion dramaturgical standards and continual- film festivals in America, France and strategy. Due to its participation in festi- ly revised and reviewed plans. In the past Romania. With the operation of BEM cinema we JOHNNY FAMOUS – Gergely Fonyó have taken into consideration the market 32nd Hungarian Film Week / 2001: Best Film, Best Producer Prize of KODAK opportunity not yet discovered by others, ABANDONED – Árpád Sopsits and retaining the ambience of the Art 32nd Hungarian Film Week / 2001: Best Director, Best Supporting Actor: Pál Mácsai Cinema as well as proposing the estab- NOTHING SPECIAL – Gábor Hevér, Róbert Geizler, lishment of a film-cultural basis we are Gergely Kocsis, András Szôke trying to maintain its children’s cinema 33rd Hungarian Film Week / 2002: Student Jury’s Award character which is unique in Budapest. Our strength that can be highlighted is LIGHT FALLS ON YOUR FACE – Gyula Gulyás the dramaturgical workshop the aim of 33rd Hungarian Film Week / 2002: Award for the most outstanding value in visual expression to Gyula Gulyás which is to be able to service and devel- op our projects on a continually high EASTERN SUGAR – Török Ferenc level with the experts who have been 35th Hungarian Film Week / 2004: People’s Choice via Internet, Best Supporting Actor: Ervin Nagy working with us for many years as well as the post production studio.

The most important scope of activities ABANDONED – Árpád Sopsits of our company is film production. Our Montreál, 2001: Main Prize (ex-aequo), Prize of the Ecumenical Jury • Chicago, 2001: aim is to produce such films which, fit- Gold Plaque to Tamás Mészáros • Berlin – Prix Europa, 2001: Prix Europa Special • ting into the ranks of films produced in Strasbourg – Forum du Cinema Européen, 2001: Diploma of the Jury • Belgrád – Auteur the past few years, like Abandoned, Film Festival, 2001: Special Mention of FIPRESCI, Special Prize of the Association of which has won the prize of the Film Artists of Serbia to Péter Szatmári for his cinematographical work • Giffon, 2002: Hungarian Film Week, as well as oth- Bronze Griff, Prize of the City of Giffoni • Zlin, 2002: Main Prize in the Section of ers go beyond satisfying Hungarian “Films from the Visegrád Countries” • Oscar, 2002: Official Hungarian Oscar Entry demands and prove successful inter- LETTER TO AMERICA – Iglika Triffonova nationally as well due to their artistic Kijev, 2001: FIPRESCI Prize • Bulagrian Television Festival, 2001: Main Prize quality, the work of the producers and Oscar, 2001: Official Bulgarian Oscar Entry the rationality of production. LIGHT FALLS ON YOUR FACE – Gyula Gulyás Montreal, 2002: Selected for the Competition Within the framework of the programme Karlovy Vary, 2002: Selected for the Competition of the 32nd Hungarian Film Week, the cin- EASTERN SUGAR – Török Ferenc ema Kultiplex organised an informational Locarno, 2004: „Filmmakers of the Present” • Sevilla, 2004: New EU Members screening of the portrait film Ferenc Fejtô Cottbus, 2004: Selected for the Competition as well as the essay film LETTER OF EXEMPTION also containing experimen- Gergely Kocsis and András Szôke. It won countryside trying to find their place in life tal elements about the life and struggles of the Special Prize awarded by the jury of stu- and about their relationship to one anoth- László Sztabédi from Cluj (Kolozsvár). dents at the 33rd Hungarian Film Week as er. DALLAS by Róbert Pejó, a Hungarian- PALACE OF DREAMS, the fictitious docu- well as the Feature Film Prize established German-Austrian coproduction will be mentary film using feature film elements in 2002 and awarded by the journal released early next year. presenting the Esterházy castle in Fertôd Filmkultúra. In 2004-2005 ROMACOP a feature by and its cultural heyday hallmarked by the WANDER-FIRE directed by Károly Vicsek a Gábor Dettre and WONDERFULL WILDS a name of Joseph Haydn was made in 2001. Serbian-Hungarian coproduction which can television by Ferenc Török will be produced As a „young” studio consisting of young certainly be called a suppletory work was by Budapest Film while YOU HAVE ONE people it is our unsaid duty to support presented at the 34th Hungarian Film Week. MOTHER ONLY by László Kántor is in pre- young people thus we have launched two The film presented an opportunity for sev- production. low budget films. One is TABULA RASA to eral well-known Yugoslavian actors for a Új Budapest Filmstúdió be directed by János Szirtes and László well deserved and credible introduction. Budapest 1023, Török utca 1. feLugossy. The other is NOTHING SPECIAL We entered EASTERN SUGAR by Ferenc 1023, Hungary made by a team of enthusiastic film mak- Török for the Film Week of the year 2004. T: +36 1 316 09 43, F: +36 1 336 1009 16ers and actors, Gábor Hevér, Róbert Heizler, This film is about young people from the E-mail: ujbpfi[email protected]