Despite several Hungarians along the way of its history (Kálmán Tihanyi: the inventor of the electronic television system, or Péter Goldmark, who developed the first-ever colour television in 1940), television arrived quite late to the country. The very first broadcast only took place in 1954, while the first devices available to the public were released in 1956. Their price amounted to an engineer’s 10 month salary. On 1 May 1957 the first official broadcast of the Hungarian Radio and Television was launched with the live coverage of the May Day parade. Broadcasts during the year were only shown on Tuesdays and Fridays. As it quickly gained an important role in politics, the government decided to install the second Hungarian television transmitter in hopes of influencing the proletariat more easily.

Undeterred by its high price, people were so enthusiastic about television that the service had almost 80,000 subscribers by 1960. Broadcasts were extended to five days a week, with a break on Mondays and Fridays. The Rome Olympic Games had live coverage that summer. By 1970, the mass manufacturing of colour TVs had started and became widely available – the number of subscribers reached 1.7 million. By the 1980s, TV shows were playing a major role in everyday life, with Hungarian soap operas, like Szomszédok, gaining a massive following. In 1992, Duna TV was launched, the first Hungarian television broadcasting company to use a satellite, while in 1997 TV2 and RTL Klub started their broadcast as the first two commercial channels in the country.

Hyppolit, the Butler (1931)

One of the first sound films produced in Hungary, Hyppolit is a classic comedy of manners, starring the legendary Gyula Kabos as the ignorant nouveau riche entrepreneur Mátyás Schneider, and Gyula Csortos, as the family’s new butler, an educated man who formerly served in the household of a count for 27 years, traveling around the world with him. Soon enough, life turns upside down for the Schneider family, with an inevitable scandal brewing in the background. In 2000, Hungarian film critics chose it as one of the twelve best films of Hungary.

It Happened in Europe (1948)

Depicting the aftermath of World War II, It Happened in Europe focuses on a band of runaways and orphans, who scour the countryside in search of food and shelter. They invade and then are taken in by a musician who’s hiding in a ruined castle. After the initial altercation between them the gang accepts his guidance and he wins their respect by protecting them from the elements. However, when the local townsfolk find out about the whereabouts of the group who laid waste to their crops, things go south for everyone. Often compared to Italian Neorealism, It Happened in Europe is a gripping and emotional fictional record of the short-lived Children’s Republic.

Sindbad (1971)

Based on Gyula Krúdy’s irresistably detestable literary character, Sindbad tells the story of the middle-aged traveler through his streaming memories of past love affairs. Beautifully shot and full of mouthwatering delicacies, this movie is as much a tale of hedonism well done as it is a perfect example of stream-of-consciousness storytelling in cinematic form. The painterly film’s fractured time structure and rapid montages of brief and freely associated shots make it a revolutionary classic of Hungarian filmmaking. Beware, however, Sindbad is not for everyone.

The Fifth Seal (1976)

Directed by Zoltán Fábri based on the book of the same name by Ferenc Sánta, The Fifth Seal is set in 1944’s Budapest, during the time of Arrow Cross rule. As World War II rages on in the outside world, a watchmaker, a book seller, and a carpenter are drinking in a bar with the owner, when they are joined by a stranger. The watchmaker asks the group a hypothetical question that will change their lives. Besides winning the Golden Prize at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival, it was also selected as the Hungarian entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 49th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado (28 June)

In the drug war, there are no rules–and as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border, federal agent Matt Graver calls on the mysterious Alejandro, whose family was murdered by a cartel kingpin, to escalate the war in nefarious ways. Alejandro kidnaps the kingpin’s daughter to inflame the conflict–but when the girl is seen as collateral damage, her fate will come between the two men as they question everything they are fighting for.

Dir.: Stefano Sollima Stars: Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Matthew Modine

Adrift (5 July)

Adrift is based on the inspiring true story of two free spirits whose chance encounter leads them first to love, and then to the adventure of a lifetime. As the two avid sailors set out on a journey across the ocean, Tami and Richard couldn’t anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, she must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved.

Dir.: Baltasar Kormákur Stars: Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Thomas

Skyscraper (12 July)

FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader and U.S. war veteran Will Sawyer now assesses security for skyscrapers. On assignment in Hong Kong he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s been framed for it. A wanted man on the run, Will must find those responsible, clear his name and somehow rescue his family who are trapped inside the building, above the fire line.

Dir.: Rawson Marshall Thurbel Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell, Kevin Rankin

Incredibles 2 (5 July)

Everyone’s favourite family of superheroes is back in business – but this time Helen is in the spotlight, leaving Bob at home with Violet and Dash to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone must find a way to work together again. Which is easier said than done, even when they’re all “Incredible”.

Dir.: Brad Bird Stars: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter

Ant-Man and the Wasp (26 July)

In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War,” Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.

Dir.: Peyton Reed Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michelle Pfeiffer

6 July

Spider-Man: Homecoming

A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man, who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May, under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark, Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

Dir.: Jon Watts Stars: Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Michael Keaton

13 July

Baywatch

Based on the iconic television series of the same name and produced by the director of the original Ghostbusters, 2017’s Baywatch focuses on the fictional Emerald Bay’s elite team of lifeguards, who are charged with protecting the beach at all cost. Devoted lifeguard and a beloved member of his community, Mitch Buchanan butts heads with a brash new recruit, former Olympic swimmer Matt Brody. They soon realize that in order to uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay, they have to learn to work together as a team – while looking insanely good in slow motion, of course.

Dir.: Seth Gordon Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario

War for the Planet of the Apes

In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.

Dir.: Matt Reeves Stars: Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis, Judy Greer

20 July

Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan’s latest epic movie centers on the evacuation of Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire, Canada, and France, who were cut off and surrounded by the German army from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk, between May 26 and June 4, 1940, during the Battle of France in World War II. The story is told from three perspectives: the air, land and sea, with little dialogue.

Dir.: Christopher Nolan Stars: Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh

21 July

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

In the 28th century, Valerian and Laureline are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha: there is a mystery at the center of the city-empire, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.

Dir.: Luc Besson Stars: Dane DeHaan, Clara Delevigne, Clive Owen

The new film of Kornél Mundruczó has once again reminded us of the fact that Hungarian moves are getting close to reaching the international standards, what’s more, they can be real unique pieces of art.

“One of the planet Jupiter’s moons, discovered by Galileo, is called Europa. It was important for me to regard this film as a European story, one that is set in Europe undergoing crisis, including Hungary. At the same time, I was looking to convey a sense of contemporary science fiction. I have been a fan of the genre since my childhood and that might also be apparent in my earlier works, like White God or Tender Son. We were also playing around with the idea of being alien, the question of who is the real stranger? It is really just an issue of perspective. Jupiter is distant enough to warrant raising new questions about faith, about miracles and about being different.” – said Mundruczó when asked about the significance of the title. 

The film has been highly praised by both local and international critics, both were fascinated by the director’s and cinematographer Marcel Rév’s work.

The French Institute in cooperation with Budapest Rooftop Cinema organizes the popular summer screening series, awaiting you with the cultic films of Besson, Godard and a range of light movies to enhance the summer vibes on every Thursday from 9 PM at Corvin Club.

Click HERE for more!

The Circle

When Mae is hired to work for the world’s largest and most powerful tech and social media company, she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime. As she rises through the ranks, she is encouraged by the company’s founder, Eamon Bailey, to engage in a groundbreaking experiment that pushes the boundaries of privacy, ethics and ultimately her personal freedom. Her participation in the experiment, and every decision she makes begin to affect the lives and future of her friends, family and that of humanity.

Dir.: James Ponsoldt Stars: Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega

4 May

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.

Dir.: James Gunn Stars: Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Kurt Russel

11 May

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

The young Arthur runs the back passages of Londonium with his crew, not knowing his royal lineage until he grabs Excalibur. Instantly confronted by the sword’s influence, Arthur is forced to make up his mind. He joins the rebellion and a shadowy young woman named Guinevere, he must learn to understand the magic weapon, deal with his demons and unite the people to defeat the dictator Vortigern, the man who murdered his parents and stole his crown to become king.

Dir.: Guy Ritchie Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Eric Bana

18 May

Alien: Covenant

Bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, the crew of the colony ship Covenant, which includes Walter, an android similar to David, a survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition, find what they believe to be an uncharted paradise. It soon reveals itself to be a dark and dangerous world inhabited by the original David and monstrous creatures that start to hunt them, and so the crew must attempt a harrowing escape if they want to live to tell their adventure.

Dir.: Ridley Scott Stars: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, James Franco

25 May

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Captain Jack Sparrow finds the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, the terrifying Captain Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle, determined to kill every pirate at sea…including him. Captain Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, a powerful artifact that bestows upon its possessor total control over the seas.

Dir.: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg Stars: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Javier Bardem

1. All the President’s Man

2. Veronica Guerin

3. Spotlight

4. Citizen Kane

5. State of Play

Schindler’s List (1993)

In Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece the true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman who saved 1,200 Jewish lives, is told.

The Pianist (2002)

An exceptionally talented Jewish musician (Adrian Brody) struggles to survive in the German-occupied Warsaw of the 1940s.

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas (2008)

The director, Mark Herman, puts a new perspective in the focus: he depicts the friendship between a German commandant’s eight-year-old son and a Jewish little boy.

Sophie’s Choice (1982)

A few years after the Second World War, an American writer spends some time with his new neighbours, Sophie (Meryl Streep) and Nathan (Kevin Kline). The woman survived the hardships of the concentration camps, however, she is unable to move on.

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

In this story about a Jewish family during WWII, the father (Roberto Benigni) tries his best to protect his son from the horror of the concentration camp.

Son of Saul (2015)

Saul’s job is to burn the corpses of the concentration camp. One day he finds his son among the dead bodies, and determines to rescue it from the camp so that a rabbi can bury him.

The Reader (2008)

In post-WWII Germany Michael Berg, a law student (David Kross) re-encounters with his former lover (Kate Winslet) in court while she defends herself in a war-time trial.

There are certain books and characters that one can’t fully understand unless they come from the same environment – not just mentally, but more physically so. In the case of American Pastoral, having a Scottish director who also plays the role of Seymour “The Swede” Levov, an American Jew living the middleclass life in Newark, New Jersey, feels somewhat misplaced, a bit confusing even. However fine most of the performances are, it feels like McGregor’s hands were shaking while conducting his orchestra throughout the whole movie. It is usually said, that the better the book is, the worse the movie will be: Philip Roth’s more than 400 page-long novel could not be squeezed into 108 minutes without causing serious harm to the original story.

We follow the steps of a troubled daughter who joins a radical political group and gets involved in the bombing of a post office that kills a local man, resulting in the Levovs family tragedy. There are a few strong scenes indeed, for me there had been three in number: when the messenger of the daughter, Merry Levov tries to seduce The Swede in a hotel room, when Dawn, the wife played by Jennifer Connelly, sits on her bed in a madhouse, blaming his heart-broken husband for everything they had to go through, and when in an act of despair, the father discovers the bruises and rotting teeth of long escaped and sought after daughter, portrayed by Dakota Fanning. There was definitely more to see, but besides delivering the sense of having a deeper meaning to the debacle of the values and relationships, the movie does not suffice. As the classic American dream completely falls into pieces, despite of a solid screenplay and the steady performances of all three main characters, McGregor’s interpretation only manages to scrape the surface of Roth’s vision.

A couple of bad choices also injured the core – or what could have been the core – of this film: I couldn’t understand why Ewan McGregor insisted on keeping the whole narrative when adapting it to the screen simply doesn’t make any sense? In the book, the writer’s alter ego meets Levov’s brother on their 45^th high school reunion, that’s how he hears about the sad life and death of once ideal high school athlete know by many as The Swede. The movie’s few brief scenes depicting this reunion feel out of context, it takes up several precious moments that could have been used much more wisely.

Adapting such novel as the American Pastoral would have been a great burden to a more experienced director as well, let alone what it must have been for an entrant of the field. I believe that Mr. McGregor didn’t make the right choice when he decided to pick this story for his directional debut. Therefore, however appreciative they were, all his hard work and goodwill became fruitless.

I think the audience usually don’t realize how much work is put into organizing such festivals. How long does it actually take to arrange everything?

You definitely have to start at least half a year in advance. First comes the planning part: how big selection you want to present, what will be the frame of the festival, etc. And then you watch a lot of movies!

How do you select the films?

Well, it’s a big question. First, you decide about the sections, then find the films that fit into those. It’s crucial to have the framework, because that will be the basis of the festival. Year by year, we have returning sections: we have our In Competition, Festival Favourites, American Independents, Asian Winds, The Dark Side and Titanic Dox.

What are you most looking forward to screen this year?

For me, Asian moves are very important, because you don’t get to see much of them in Hungary during the year. So, I’m very proud of the fact that we get to bring those films closer to the local audience as well. But you know, I watch close to a hundred movies and obviously, there comes the point when you have to kill your darlings. There are 34 movies in the programme that I love and support, I wouldn’t be able to pick a favourite as I believe that they will all offer something valuable to the audience. There are some unique pictures, like the documentaries David Lynch: The Art Life, and the one by Jim Jarmusch, Gimme Danger, both having one screening only.

The Titanic International Film Festival will screen a wide range of exciting productions between 6 and 13 April. For further details about the times and venues, visit their website!