Oscar Winning Movies Filmed in Hungary

They’ve rolled out the red carpet in preparation for the 97th Academy Awards to be held this Sunday, 2nd March. With three films this year among the list of nominations that were filmed in Hungary, we’re delving into Oscar-winning films of the past that were also shot in this central European country.

As Hungary continues to be a hub for international filming, the number of Oscar nominations with a Hungarian connection is also on the rise. It’s not at all uncommon now for Hungarian filmmakers working behind the scenes on domestic and international features to be nominated–and win, illustrating the level of art and professionalism available in the country.

To chart Hungarian success at the Academy Awards, let’s go all the way back to the 1980s…

Mephisto (1981)

Mephisto. Picture via Wikipedia.

This German-language political drama–directed by legendary Hungarian director István Szabó–won Hungary its first ever Oscar in the best foreign language film category.

Now a classic of Hungarian cinema, the film tells the story of an actor ascending the heights of his profession under the Nazi regime of early 1930s Germany and his dilemma of publicly accepting the Reich’s doctrine or face career suicide by remaining neutral.

Shot predominantly in Hungary, several scenes were filmed in various parts of Germany and Paris.

Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

This French comedy-drama, based on the 1897 play of the same name by Edmond Rostand, was filmed in Hungary and France.

Starring Gérard Depardieu, the film won an Oscar for best costume design.

Evita (1996)

This was a musical depicting the life of Eva Perón, an Argentine politician, activist, actress, and philanthropist who served as First Lady of Argentina from June 1946 until her death in July 1952. Several filming locations in Budapest (this time standing in for Argentina) were utilized for the film.

The film, starring Madonna in the title role, was nominated in several categories and won an Oscar for best original song: You Must Love Me.

Son of Saul (2015)

Hungarian director László Nemes’ first feature film secured Hungary its second Oscar for best foreign language film. It was filmed over the span of 28 days in Budafok, as suburb just outside Budapest.

It tells the harrowing story of Saul, a Jewish prisoner working at an Auschwitz crematorium, who is determined to give a deceased young boy a proper Jewish burial.

Mindenki (2016)

A Hungarian short film directed by Kristóf Deák, this charming story involving a school choir (and based on true events) won an Oscar for best short, live action film.

Bladerunner 2049 (2017)

Bladerunner. Picture via Imdb.

The much-anticipated sequel to science fiction film Bladerunner, the film was shot on numerous sound stages at both Korda and Origo studios.

The film was nominated in five categories and ended winning two Oscars for cinematography and visual effects.

Dune: Part One (2022)

The first part of the Dune universe garnered ten nominations and went on to win six Oscars. This staggering achievement included that of Hungarian set decorator Zsuzsanna Sipos who clinched a golden statue for production design along with Patrice Vermette.

Poor Things (2024)

Poor Things. Picture via Imdb.

Who can forget the Yorgos Lanthimos hit from 2023 that was nominated in several categories for an Academy Award last year and walked away with four in total. The film starred Emma Stone depicting the character of Bella, a woman on a steep learning curve who has been brought back to life via a brain transplanted from a foetus.

Principal photography took place in Hungary where a highly stylized and opulent world of the late-Victorian era was created. The film’s Hungarian set decorator Zsuzsa Mihalek won an Oscar for production design, along with James Price and Shona Heath.

Who will win in 2025?

This year, The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet and shot in Budapest, was nominated for an Oscar in a total of ten categories, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Adrien Brody). But locally, all eyes will be on the best film editing category where Hungarian Dávid Jancsó has been nominated for an Oscar.

Jancsó is descended from film “royalty”; his father is Miklós Jancsó, an internationally celebrated Hungarian film director and screenwriter, and his mother is film editor Zsuzsa Csákány.

Dune: Part Two and Maria, both filmed at least partly in Hungary, have also been nominated for Oscars. Maria–the film based on the life of Maria Callas–is nominated for cinematography while Dune: Part Two is in the running for an award in five categories: Best Picture, visual effects, production design, cinematography and sound.

We’lll be watching bleary-eyed until the wee hours of Monday morning to see if we can add more Oscar wins with a Hungarian connection to the list!

Stay tuned!

The 97th Academy Awards Nominations

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Stars Filming in Budapest

Celeb hunters should get their skates on because a bunch of stars of the screen are currently rubbing shoulders with the rest of us while they make a home away from home in Budapest.

Keanu Reeves. Photo via Wikipedia.

With its strong cinematic traditions, and known as a hub or international film production, Budapest has often been referred to as Hollywood on the Danube. And with the filming boom clearly continuing into 2025, a steady rotation of world-famous actors can usually be relied upon to pop up in various locations across the capital.

Emilia Clark, reportedly starring in a new series (Ponies) with Haley Lu Richardson (The White Lotus), is in town and has been spotted getting her nails done at legendary local salon Yom Tov Nail Art. It’s hardly surprising that Hungary was chosen as a filming location considering the premise of the show; it’s a spy story set during the Cold War. Portraying Moscow in that era is hardly a stretch for multifaceted Budapest.

And it was less than a couple of weeks ago when spectators in the city got front row seats to an action scene filmed near the Chain Bridge. A stunt performer could be seen hanging precariously from a helicopter flying low over the Danube. The whole area, including the embankment on the Pest side of the river, was closed for filming over that weekend. It was speculated by The Budapest Reporter that the film in question might have been Matchbox starring John Cena and directed by Sam Hargrave.

Meanwhile, Spanish-German actor Daniel Brühl (Goodbye, Lenin!, Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Inglourious Basterds) has also been spotted at popular Raman food-bar, 101 Neo. He’s in town with Oscar-nominated Swedish director, Ruben Östlund, who is filming his latest English-language feature, The Entertainment System is Down. Filming is reportedly taking place on board an old Boeing 747 specially bought for the purpose. The pair were also recently spotted going to the theatre. They attended a Budapest production of Lavina, a play based on one of Östlund’s earlier films, Force Majeure.

Emilia Clarke. Photo via Imdb.

Keanu Reeves and Kirsten Dunst also star in Östlund’s feature currently filming in Budapest. According to Blikk, Reeves is discretely staying downtown during the 70-day shoot–not in a hotel–but somewhere he can explore the city on foot and be in proximity to museums and galleries.

Culture vultures should therefore be on alert; you never know who might be standing–or sitting–beside you when getting your next art-fix!

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Location Scout: The Palace Hotel in Lillafüred, Hungary

With its fairy-tale-like romantic architecture and forest location, The Lillafüred Palace Hotel is a strong contender for the title of most Wes Anderson film location in Hungary. Let’s find out why. 

Hotel Palota Lillafüred. Photo via Tripadvisor

Count István Bethlen, Prime Minister of Hungary in the 1920s, was the one who came up with the bright idea of building a luxury hotel and resort in Lillafüred, a small town north-east of Budapest. He was keen to have a spot for government ‘recreation’ outside the capital, where politicians could let their hair down, make deals and cultivate international relationships in a more relaxed setting. However, as construction took place at the end of the 1920s (coinciding with a major global financial crisis) the project met with a lot of criticism and was considered fiscally irresponsible–not surprisingly.

Designed by renowned architect of the time Kálmán Lux, the hotel was inspired by the style of the fifteen-century, evoking the grand hunting lodges of the ultimate Renaissance man of Hungary, King Matthias. From its opening in 1930 until 1945, the hotel was a favoured haunt of high society guests, hosting many conferences and congresses. It was the venue for the 1933 congress of writers and said to be the inspiration for the poem Ode by revered Hungarian poet, Attila József. The Palace Hotel was no stranger to the world of film either; the classic Hungarian romantic comedy Dream Car of 1934 was partially filmed here.

Nestled among the rolling hills and lush forests of the outrageously picturesque Bükk National Park, the hotel offers a unique filming location. From its spires and stone-work to its majestic wooden staircase, carved ceiling tiles and stained-glass windows, this is clearly the place Hogwarts would be located if there was ever a need for a sister school in Hungary. Adding to its attractions is the proximity of the thermal baths in nearby Miskolctapolca, located in a 150-metre-long cave complex that is hundreds of thousands of years old.

The Palace Hotel in Lillafüred is a location in Hungary that could be used by international film productions (not necessarily just Wes Anderson ones) while also taking advantage of the country’s generous tax rebate and professional crew.

Hotel Palota Lillafüred

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Hungary Expands Its Global Film Presence with the Opening of New NFI Studios in Budapest

Hungary has cemented its status as a premier destination for international film productions with the grand opening of the expanded National Film Institute (NFI) Studios in Fót, near Budapest.

NFI Studios via www.nfi.hu

This milestone development, a landmark state investment launched in 2020, significantly boosts the country’s filmmaking infrastructure as it increases studio capacity by 22% nationwide. The expansion aims to meet the growing demand for high-quality production facilities, further positioning Hungary as a top-tier filming hub.

Hungary’s film industry boasts a rich tradition spanning over 124 years, with an annual production value nearing $1 billion—a fivefold increase since 2018. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, speaking at the opening ceremony, emphasized Hungary’s deep-rooted cinematic heritage, noting that the nation has played a pivotal role globally in filmmaking since the silent film era.

Government Commissioner Csaba Kael highlighted the significance of the expansion, likening it to the last major state investment in the industry in 1936, which saw the establishment of one of Central Europe’s largest studios at the time. The latest NFI Studios development ensures Hungary remains competitive internationally by continuing to attract blockbuster productions.

Cutting-Edge Facilities for Large-Scale Productions

The NFI Studios expansion includes four new state-of-the-art soundstages, adding 10,000 square meters of studio space, 20,000 square meters of auxiliary facilities, and 135,000 square meters of green areas. Notably, two of these soundstages can be combined using a mobile soundproof wall, creating an expansive 5,000 square-meter filming space to accommodate large-scale productions.

Productions such as The Witcher, Blade Runner 2049, and Terminator: Dark Fate have already benefited from Hungary’s advanced facilities. But growing demand brings inevitable strain on available infrastructure. The NFI development addresses Hungary’s recent shortage in certified soundstage capacity, which previously led to scheduling conflicts and lost production opportunities. The expanded studio space will enable the country to continue attracting blockbuster films and high-end TV series.

Via www.nfi.hu

A Bright Future for Filmmaking in Hungary

Hungary’s 30% tax incentive for film and television productions has been extended until 2030, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to the global entertainment industry. With the expansion of NFI Studios, filmmakers now have access to world-class facilities, including versatile backlot sets, extensive prop and costume collections, and the renowned outdoor water tank used in Blade Runner 2049 and The Day of the Jackal.

This latest investment is a welcome addition to other world-class studios available in the country at Korda, Origo and Stern. As a result, it seems Hungary will retain its reputation as the most popular film production hub in Europe after London.

Sources & Further Information:

Film New Europe

NFI

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

The Brutalist, Brutalism, and the Real Grand Budapest Hotel

Are you wondering about the meaning behind the title of the film by Brady Corbet starring Adrien Brody, The Brutalist? And what’s that got to do with The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson?

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Full disclosure upfront: the connection between these two films lives mostly in my own head. Both have links to Budapest, Hungary–although Wes Anderson’s film only has a tenuous one via the name of the hotel. But there is an interesting cross-section of trivia concerning brutalist architecture in Budapest that die-hard cinema fans might be interested to know.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

As one of the most popular Wes Anderson films, there are always a lot of questions posed online as to where filming took place and where the real Grand Budapest Hotel can be found. The fairytale-like exterior of the hotel featured in the film was unfortunately not filmed in Budapest. It was, in fact, only a model, although Anderson was clearly inspired by the aesthetic of Central Europe’s Secessionist and Art Nouveau style. Interior filming took place (and sets were inspired by) an old department store in eastern Germany in the city of Görlitz, near the border of Czechia and Poland.

But there is an actual Hotel Budapest in Budapest which could be seen, architecturally speaking, to be the complete opposite to the style of the hotel in the Wes Anderson film. This is because the real Hotel Budapest was built in the brutalist style of the 20th century.

Brutalism in The Brutalist

We’ve written about Brutalism in previous posts: a mid-century architectural movement particularly popular in Eastern Europe (The Soviet Union and ex-Soviet satellite nations) as well as in the UK where it originated. The style commonly featured unpainted concrete or brick and angular shapes and was characterised by highly minimalist design that eschewed anything ornate or decorative.

Several striking examples of the style exist in Budapest, one of which being the Hotel Budapest, locally referred to as körszálló (the round hotel) because the building is perfectly, well, round.

The Hungarian architect behind Hotel Budapest

Designed by György Szrogh, an Ybl Miklós-prize-winning Hungarian architect, the hotel (comprising of 19 levels and 280 rooms) was finished in 1967. The building was considered very Avante-garde and the building methods utilized in its construction ground-breaking at the time. It quickly became a hot spot for local and international stars to stay and party hard, the bar and terrace at the top of the building especially popular for the bird’s eye views it afforded across the city. 

Hotel Budapest, located on the Buda side of the river, has become an iconic landmark of the city and had still been functioning as a hotel up until the beginning of this year. Due to a change in owners (according to current news reports) the new owners of the building are in negotiations over refurbishments with plans to open again as an exclusive residential building.

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Central Europe’s Largest Virtual Production Studio Opens Near Budapest

Hungary has taken a step into the future with the opening of a virtual production studio–the largest of its kind in Central Europe. Located just outside Budapest, this is the latest in state-of-the-art facilities available to local and international productions seeking to film features, TV series, commercials or music videos in Hungary.

A joint undertaking developed between Visual Europe Group and Origo Film Group, the 2,000-square-meter studio allows film makers to replace the traditional green screens with dynamic, 3D environments. Actors will be able to perform against various digital screens, including the main 28-metre-wide curved ROE LED. Essentially, this means that the backdrops will change seamlessly with the narrative in real-time.

Elevating Budapest’s Status in Global Filmmaking 

Hungary is already a favoured destination for international productions, thanks to its skilled crew, diverse filming locations, and attractive tax incentives. In response, studios in the country are expanding fast and utilizing the latest in filming technologies to meet the increasing demand.

Revolutionizing Filmmaking with Virtual Production 

Virtual production has become a game-changer for filmmakers worldwide. By combining augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and LED wall technology, studios like United Illusions offer greater creative control and cost efficiency. Traditional location shoots and costly set construction are minimized, as filmmakers can create visually stunning, photorealistic environments within a controlled studio setting. 

The new Budapest facility’s design aligns with international production standards, earning certification and support from ARRI, a global leader in film technology. And, according to United Illusion’s website, the company is committed to not only cementing Budapest as a filming destination, but to also expanding its reputation as a centre for technological innovation and leader in virtual production.

Sources & Further Information: 

United Illusions

Trademagazin.hu

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Hungarian film incentives and film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Filmed in Hungary: Exploring Budapest Through the Lens of VIENNA BLOOD

Vienna Blood is a popular BBC period drama that recently aired its fourth season in the U.S. If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, then you’ll not be surprised to learn that many of the key scenes for this season (as well as season three) were filmed not in Vienna, but in Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest is a real chameleon when it comes to doubling as a range of other cities across the world, but perhaps stepping in for Vienna (considering their intertwined history and close resemblance) is not such a big challenge. And while much of Vienna Blood is set in the Austrian capital, seasons three and four ventured across borders, utilizing several locations in Budapest to bring the series’ atmospheric storytelling to life.

Set in early 1900s Vienna, the series revolves around an unlikely duo who are thrown together to solve murder cases in the Austrian capital: Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt from the Vienna police department and Dr Max Liebermann, a young physician studying neurology and psychoanalysis under Sigmund Freud.

Budapest’s Historic Sights as featured in Vienna Blood

Via www.parisiudvarhotel.hu

1. Párisi Udvar Hotel

Featured prominently in the third and fourth seasons, the Párisi Udvar Hotel is one of Budapest’s most opulent landmarks. This Art Nouveau masterpiece boasts intricate mosaic tiles, ornate glass ceilings, and a grandeur that perfectly complements the show’s early 20th-century aesthetic. 

2. Vígszínház Theatre

 Another standout location is the Vígszínház Theatre, a 125-year-old cultural treasure and one the major venues in Budapest for live stage shows with the ability to seat 1,700. In the series, the theatre served as the setting for Ibsen’s The Doll’s House rehearsals.

3. Bédő House

A hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Budapest, Bédő House is another filming location that encapsulates the city’s rich Art Nouveau heritage. Originally an apartment block designed by Emil Vidor in 1903, it’s three levels overflowing with porcelain, paintings, furniture and artwork that are now a shrine to the Hungarian Successionist movement.

Via Wikipedia

4. National Museum of Hungary

One of the oldest (and most imposing) public museums in Hungary, the National Museum and its neoclassical design takes a role in season three, episode two of the series.

5. Hazai Bank Building

While the Loos House in Vienna stands in for the exterior shots of the fashion house run by Kristina Vogl, the interior scenes were filmed in the opulence of the Hazai Bank in Budapest. The distinctive style and historical resonance of the building are emblematic of Budapest’s ability to double as turn-of-the-century Vienna.

Why Budapest is a Filmmaker’s Dream 

Budapest has long been a favourite of international production companies, thanks to its eclectic architecture, generous tax rebate and affordable production costs. The city effortlessly morphs into various locales, from Victorian-era England to Imperial Vienna and beyond. Its cobblestone streets, grand boulevards, meticulously preserved historic buildings, mid-century brutalist marvels (as well as instances of more futuristic, modern architecture) provide filmmakers with diverse and atmospheric backdrops, whatever the epoch. 

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Filmed in Hungary: Behind the Scenes of Dune: Prophecy

HBO’s Dune: Prophecy is the highly anticipated prequel to the Dune saga. And, like the feature film, the TV series’ principal photography took place in Hungary. 

Set 10,000 years before the events of Frank Herbert’s iconic universe, the show delves into the origins of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. The story tracks the journey of young Valya Harkonnen (played by Jessica Barden), a member of the Harkonnen family who will eventually become a pivotal figure within the secretive order. 

Dune: Prophecy utilized sets at Origo Studios in Budapest as well as venturing further afield, uncovering a unique, other-worldly spot that would be difficult to place in Hungary unless you were really in the know: the cave dwellings in Bükkalja. It’s one of the show’s most visually arresting locations, used to represent the base of the Harkonnen family on the icy, desolate planet Lankiveil.

Via www.bukkvidekgeopark.com. Photo by Megyeri Balázs (BNPI)

The Bükk region is hauntingly beautiful, with countryside dominated by forests, rolling green hills, valleys and creeks. And Bükkalja, where these caves are located, has the largest area of rhyolite tuff in Central Europe, volcanic rock formed some 19–20 million years ago. 

Tuff is a special type of rock that is relatively soft and easy to carve and mine. The man-made caves (known locally as Pocem) that were dug here from around the 19th century were used as homes, wine cellars, and shelters, thus making “stone culture” integral to the evolution of the area and its way of life.

Recognized as something uniquely Hungarian since 2013 and included in the UNESCO Global Geopark network in 2024, these caves have become a cultural and geological treasure. Perhaps the cinematic portrayal of the dwellings in Dune: Prophecy will pique the interest not only of audiences worldwide, but also filmmakers looking for filming locations with a difference in Europe and Hungary.

Sources & further information

Budapest Reporter

Hungary Today

www.bukkvidekgeopark.com

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Dive into 2025 with Budapest’s Thermal Baths

Budapest, Hungary, is recognized as a hotspot for international filmmakers seeking authentic European charm, inspiring shooting locations and bang for buck. But it’s also known as the City of Spas, famous for its thermal bath culture. Wellness tourism is big here, for visitors and locals alike, and offers a unique way to unwind while marvelling at some beautiful architecture in the process.

1. Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Széchenyi Baths. Picture via Wikipedia.

One of the largest medicinal baths in Europe, this thermal spa began construction at the end of the twentieth century, opening its doors in 1913. Expanded in 1927, the complex includes three outdoor and fifteen indoor pools, whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms. Temperatures vary between 18 and 38 degrees Celsius.

The idea of lounging in the outdoor pool section with locals playing chess in their speedos doesn’t captivate you? It should. Try gazing at the vibrant yellow façade of the opulent neo-baroque buildings while steam rises from the warm water in the dead of winter and do some mind prep for 2025.

 2. Gellért Thermal Bath

Gellért Baths. Image from www.gellertbath.hu

Utilizing the mineral hot springs under Gellért hill, these baths are attached to the grand Gellért Hotel that overlooks the Danube River. Opened in 1918, the spa complex was expanded to include an outdoor wave pool in 1937 (apparently the first of its kind). References to the healing waters here date back to the 13th century.

Located on the Buda side of the city, this spa is for lovers of Art Nouveau. From the grand, sweeping entrance hall and stained-glass windows to the intricate sculptures of Miklós Ligeti and turquoise blue mosaic tiling of the baths inside (from Zsolnay porcelain), this place is guaranteed to transport you to another era and make you feel nothing short of royal.

3. Rudas Baths

Rudas Baths. Picture from www.termalfurdok.hu

These baths were originally commissioned by pasha Sokullu Mustafa (who was the governor of Buda from 1566 to 1578 during the Ottoman occupation) and finished around 1571. The historical part of this spa complex retains many elements of a traditional Turkish Hammam, characterised by its Ottoman dome and octagonal pool.

Just up the road from the Gellért, the baths have since been expanded with a more modern wing that includes several therapy pools and an indoor swimming pool. But perhaps what sets this complex apart is the outdoor rooftop mega jacuzzi that offers a stunning view across the Danube River and Budapest’s skyline. A definite for date night.

4. Lukács Baths

Lukács Baths. Image from Wikipedia.

Near Margit bridge on the Buda side, the buildings of this spa were completed in the 1880s and the complex named after Saint Luke–who is thought to have been a physician and disciple of Saint Paul.

While Széchenyi and Gellért lure visitors with their picturesque architecture, Lukács is aesthetically perhaps more on the functional side; a place where many locals go just to take advantage of the water’s health benefits. Nevertheless, it still delivers an authentic thermal spa experience with both outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, indoor baths, saunas and steam rooms. In summer, a sunning deck near the outdoor pools are a winner if you’re looking for alternatives to the run-of-the-mill public pool.

5. Császár Baths (Kaiser or Veli Bej baths)

Császár Baths. Image from www.termalfurdok.hu

If you’re after a hidden gem that is less touristy than the complexes above, try Veli Bej. Also commissioned by the Ottoman pasha Sokullu Mustafa, this one is said to be the oldest surviving Turkish bath in Budapest (but who’s going to quibble about a few years when we’re talking about the 16th century). The healing properties of the water here have been known since Roman times.

Renamed the Császár Baths after Ottoman occupation ended, the original octagon-shaped pool (also under the characteristic dome) has been fully refurbished for the ultimate authentic Turkish bath experience. The spa area has been expanded to include a jacuzzi and saunas that are attached to the swimming pool complex of the Császár Hotel.

Budapest’s thermal baths aren’t just about relaxation—they’re about immersion, both culturally and visually. From the imposing Széchenyi to the intimate Császár, these legendary spas offer inspiration for filmmakers and visitors alike.

Plan your next film shoot in Budapest, have a soak, and discover why this city continues to captivate storytellers from around the globe.

Sources & further information:

Széchenyi

Gellért

Rudas

Lukács

Császár

Veli Bej

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

A Legend of the Opera Filmed in Budapest: Maria

Recently released in cinemas, Maria is a beguiling film that recounts the highs and lows of opera icon Maria Callas’ life, cut short at the age of 53.

Starring Angelina Jolie as the title character and directed by Pablo Larraín, the film utilized several locations across Europe. Filming partly took place in Budapest, Hungary, which is hardly surprising. It’s become one of the most popular filming destinations in Europe for international film productions.

The Story Behind Maria

Maria Callas, famously known as “La Divina” (the divine one), is revered as one of the great opera singers of all time. The film reimagines the final days of the American-born Greek soprano’s life as she reflects on the peaks and troughs of her career, turbulent love life and complicated identity. Callas had been living at the time for several years in relative isolation in Paris, but Larraín describes Maria as a story of determination: “This is a movie about someone who becomes part of the tragedies she performed on stage, but who was never a victim. It’s about someone in control of her destiny.” 

Angelina Jolie immersed herself fully in the role of Callas through extensive preparation. This not only included undergoing seven months of singing lessons (her voice was mixed with that of Callas in post-production) but also learning how to give dog commands in Hungarian so she could work with the film’s canine co-stars.

Jolie successfully captures Callas’ strength, her drama and her vulnerability. The film received an eight-minute standing ovation at its premier at the Venice Film Festival this year and there’s already buzz regarding a possible Oscar nomination for Jolie.

"There's a lot that's deeply felt and very heavy about the film, but there's also a great amount of charm," Jolie revealed in an interview. "It was very important to capture her relationships, her home life, her eccentricities – and her poodles."

Maria Callas. Photo via Wikipedia.

Budapest as a Filming Location

Although the story unfolds in Paris, Budapest stood in for some of the film’s key locations. The Hungarian Opera House and the Budapest Academy of Music were both used for critical scenes (where Callas is depicted performing or rehearsing), as was the Fine Arts Museum and the old TV headquarters at Szabadság Square. The interior of Callas’ Paris apartment was also meticulously designed and recreated (by Academy Award nominated production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas) on a sound stage at Origo Film Studios in Budapest.

Maria Callas in 1973. Via Wikipedia.

Crafting Callas’ Costumes

Maria Callas was as much a style diva as she was an opera diva on stage–and by diva, we mean total icon. Academy Award Nominated Costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini created over 60 outfits for Jolie, from stage gowns to elegant everyday wear. Being an avid collector of rare vintage pieces, Parrini also just so happened to have an original Callas dress and evening coat on hand in his collection that was used for one of the scenes.

Maria is in cinemas in Hungary now. Following a theatrical release throughout the UK and other European territories in early 2025, it will stream on Netflix.

Sources & further information

Netflix

 USA Today

Filming Locations

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Cold war films shot in Budapest

This November marked 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, one of the decisive events that eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet bloc. To mark the anniversary, we’re looking at two great films anchored in this era that were (at least partly) filmed in Budapest.  

For all of you too young to remember: the Cold War was a period of fluctuating tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union that encompassed psychological political tactics, the nuclear weapons arms race, cat and mouse spy games and proxy wars that took place from the end of the Second World War until the Soviet Union (USSR) was dissolved in 1991.

Ronald Reagan, US President back during the 80s, famously termed the Soviet Union the “Evil Empire” in 1983 at the height of Cold War tensions between the Soviets and the Western powers.

It’s an era that has carved out its own film genre.

Like any period of history fraught with conflict, the Cold War as subject material created some exceptional cinema. Particular favourites set during the 1970s and 1980s that stand out in my mind are films like Gorky Park (1983) and The Hunt for Red October (1990), or more recently The Lives of Others (2006).

Hungary, tucked behind the iron curtain as a Soviet satellite state for over forty years, is a country steeped in Cold War history. For this reason, it’s been a logical filming destination for some international productions when depicting stories set in this era.

So, let’s have a look at two notable films set against the backdrop of this fascinating period.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Directed by David Leitch and starring Charlize Theron, Atomic Blonde is a frenetic, action-packed thriller set in the final days of the Cold War. A visual homage to the unabashed audacity of 80s style, the film was shot primarily in Budapest thanks to the city’s ability to portray East and West Berlin, Paris and London. The story centres on an MI6 agent tasked with recovering a list of double agents in a divided Berlin before it falls into the wrong hands.

Locations filmed around Budapest: several street locations, 19th century apartment buildings, New York Café, The State Opera House and the now defunct Terminal 1 of Liszt Ferenc International Airport.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011)

What is it with Gary Oldman playing the quintessential Brit spy? Way before Slow Horses, Gary Oldman starred in this film that was based on John le Carré's classic novel, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Oldman plays George Smiley, a retired MI6 agent determined to uncover a Soviet mole within the organization. While much of the filming took place in the UK, some notable scenes were filmed in Budapest–a good choice considering the events that instigate the plot of the film do indeed take place in… Budapest.  

Filming in Budapest took place at the Western Railway Station and Paris Courtyard.

Sources & further reading:

Screenrant

Movie Locations

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.  

Film Depicting Historical Medical Hero is Hungary’s Oscar Hopeful

Semmelweis, directed by renowned filmmaker Lajos Koltai, has been selected as Hungary’s official submission for Best International Feature to the upcoming 97th Academy Awards.

The film depicts the life of Ignác Semmelweis, the 19th-century Hungarian physician of German extraction whose revolutionary ideas about handwashing and sanitation helped to drastically cut mortality rates of women in Vienna General Hospital’s maternity ward. The good doctor’s pioneering work in the field of antiseptic procedures earned him the title “Savior of Mothers”.

On a Medical Mission

The film takes viewers back to Vienna in 1847 (to a period before Louis Pasteur’s germ theory was accepted) when hospital hygiene was yet to be considered a basic requirement. This led to the doctor’s obstetric ward having three times the mortality rate of the midwives’ wards due to cases of puerperal fever– a bacterial infection in the birth canal. Semmelweis (played by Miklós H. Vecsei) is a dedicated, no-nonsense doctor whose determination to discover the root cause of the deaths pits him against a rigid medical establishment.

Vecsei’s charismatic portrayal of Semmelweis transforms the historical figure into a dynamic protagonist. The screenplay by Balázs Maruszki balances the medical with elements of political and courtroom drama. Semmelweis’s battle is not only against deadly infections but also against a system resistant to change. A subplot involving Emma Hoffman (a fictional midwife played by Katica Nagy sent by the hospital administrator to spy on Semmelweis) increases the stakes as the character’s loyalties start to shift.

The film’s climax, set in an old-fashioned operating theatre turned courtroom, offers a powerful and visually striking scene where Semmelweis defends his radical methods before a sceptical audience. This blend of genres elevates Semmelweis from a straightforward biopic to a gripping, multifaceted drama. 

Filmed in Hungary

The director of the film, Lajos Koltai (known for his work as a cinematographer on films such as István Szabó’sMephisto and nominated for an Academy Award for Malena), faced challenges in bringing 19th-century Vienna to life. After a recent screening of the film in Los Angeles, he explained during a Q & A hosted by Gold Derby that there were no streets in Vienna where he could easily shoot the movie. Instead, he built the sets and filmed everything in Hungary. Koltai and the production designers meticulously recreated the historical setting down to the smallest detail–no small feat considering the need to build a hospital setting authentic to the time period.

Semmelweis performed strongly on the domestic market. It clearly resonated with Hungarian audiences and was considered a box-office success. The film received 16 nominations at the Hungarian Motion Picture Awards, ultimately winning six, including Best Feature Film and Best Director for Koltai.

Now that the film has been submitted for consideration as Hungary’s entry for the Academy Awards, we’ll have to wait and see if it progresses to the shortlist stage, announced on December 17th, 2024.

Sources & further information

Variety

Yahoo Entertainment

Wikipedia: Semmelweis

Wikipedia: Lajos Koltai

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Sándor Galimberti and Valéria Dénes: The Hungarian Painting Power Couple of Their Time

Galimberti & Dénes, both talented Hungarian painters at the beginning of the 20th century, find each other in Paris and get married. But, on the verge of international artistic stardom, World War One intervenes, cutting their careers – and their lives – tragically short.

Valéria Dénes & Sándor Galimberti

The couple have become seminal figures of early twentieth century modern Hungarian painting, so I jumped at the chance to catch a temporary exhibition of their paintings at the National Gallery (located in the Buda Castle in Budapest). Keen to learn more about them, I was pleasantly surprised to discover some recently uncovered bombshells concerning their work.

The Early Years

Sándor Galimberti was born in 1883 into a family that had immigrated to Kaposvár in Southern Hungary. Sándor’s father, Luigi Galimberti (from Trieste, Italy) had studied painting at the Fine Arts Academy in Venice. It was one of his father’s friends, (the acclaimed Hungarian painter József Rippl-Rónai) who noticed the junior Galimberti’s talent. Sándor spent time studying at the School for Applied for Arts in Budapest as well as at the Fine Arts Academy in Munich before going to Paris in 1905 to immerse himself in the avant-garde art scene there.

Born in 1877 to parents who encouraged her artistic leanings, Valéria Dénes began studying painting with esteemed Hungarian painter Zsigmond Vajda, then attended a private painting school in Budapest run by the artist Ferenc Szablya-Frischauf. In 1906 she went to Paris where she eventually became an apprentice to Henri Matisse. Before leaving for Paris to continue their painting careers, both Dénes and Galimberti attended the Nagybánya artists’ colony, the well-known Hungarian centre for plein air painting and artistic experimentation.

Valéria Dénes, STILL LIFE WITH FLOWERS, 1908-1910.

A Union of Love and Art

Dénes and Galimberti married in the early 1910s. Their relationship was clearly a meeting of hearts as well as minds, their lives profoundly intertwined as they explored their mutual love of art and painting. 

By this time based in Paris, Dénes and Galimberti travelled to the south of France and north Africa, inseparable as artists and active participants in Hungary’s burgeoning avant-garde movement. Frequently contributing to exhibitions (such as the Salon in Paris), in 1914 they also held a solo show at the gallery in Montmartre founded by Berthe Weill – the renowned art dealer who launched the careers of Picasso and Matisse.

Sándor Galimberti, INTERIOR WITH BENTWOOD CHAIR, 1908

Galimberti’s early works reflect an academic and impressionist influence, but as he grew, his style evolved to incorporate elements of Post-Impressionism and Expressionism. He became deeply influenced by Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh, adopting their techniques to create compositions that explored structure, colour, and depth. Dénes similarly showed unflinching bravery and ambition in stepping out of her comfort zone and evolving her art, particularly apparent in her later exploration of cubism. The couple’s oeuvre encompasses multiple art movements, from plein air naturalism and art nouveau to fauvism and futurism. They also became known as being among the first Hungarian Cubists.

The Dénes painting now known as Bruges was bought at auction in 2019 for the highest price any female Hungarian artist has as of yet commanded. But that'‘s not the bombshell. Research in the run-up to this current exhibition at the National Gallery uncovered that some of the paintings once thought of as being Galimberti’s were in fact painted by his wife. This includes the most celebrated of the couple’s paintings, Amsterdam.

Valéria Dénes, AMSTERDAM, 1914-1915

On closer inspection of this truly unique and eye-catching painting, it became clear that not only had they got the painter wrong, but also the location. The work actually depicts the Dutch seaside town of Scheveningen. (Incidentally, the picture above does this painting no justice. It simply must be seen in real life!)

Lives Cut Tragically Short

Like many artists of their milieu, World War One somewhat disrupted their work when they were forced to relocate from France to Holland to avoid being interned. They continued painting, but just as they were on the brink of artistic stardom, their careers were cut short.

Galimberti’s desire to enlist in the army brought the couple back to Hungary, sadly, with tragic consequences. Dénes caught pneumonia and died shortly after their return to the country. Galimberti, heartbroken, committed suicide a few hours after her funeral. Both were still under the age of 40, and less than 40 of their combined works have survived.

Thankfully, their artistic legacy is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.

Looking for visual stimulation on cold, autumn days? Discover the art of Sándor Galimberti and Valéria Dénes (who studied under Henri Matisse), currently on show at the National Gallery in Budapest. The exhibition also reveals the truth behind one of the most celebrated paintings in this married couple’s body of work.

The Galimbertis: The Lives and Works of Sándor Galimberti (1883–1915) and Valéria Dénes (1877–1915) is on at the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest until 26th January 2025.

Sources and further information

The Hungarian National Gallery 

Index.hu

Wikipedia

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Strap in for Political Thrillers Filmed & Set in Budapest

Budapest has long been a stand-in for a range of locations over the past decades thanks to the versatility of this great city’s vibe and architecture. But this year there’s a film as well as the ambitious new TV series The Jackal that both feature Budapest starring as her lovely self.

View over the Chain Bridge in Budapest.

Chief of Station (2024)

Directed by Jesse V. Johnson, ‘Chief of Station’ is an action-packed film featuring Aaron Eckhart in the role of Ben Malloy, a retired CIA European Station Chief enjoying a tranquil life. But when tragedy strikes and his wife dies, Malloy reverts to his former existence to find answers. He collaborates with an old adversary, taking him deep into Budapest's shadowy underworld, uncovering unpleasant truths along the way.

Locations such as St. Stephen’s Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, Heroes’ Square, and the Chain Bridge can all be spotted in the film. 

There’s even a scenic boat ride along the Danube. But being an adrenalin-packed action movie, this isn’t the kind of calm-inducing river cruise you’d send your parents on… things end with an epic gun battle.

It’s always a welcome change to see Budapest’s tourist attractions not masquerading as landmarks from another country. Although, as a local, it is a little distracting to watch a tram trundle along Margit bridge in the background (wondering what mayhem is afoot on that infamous 4-6 line) while trying to concentrate on a very serious Aaron Eckhart talking strategy.

The Day of the Jackal (2024)

As one would expect of a ten-part TV series based on the iconic 1973 film (which was in turn based on a best-selling novel by Frederick Forsyth), numerous easy-on-the-eyes, glamorous locations across Europe are incorporated in this story including the grand dame herself, Budapest.

The titular “Jackal” is an elusive assassin who finds himself the target of an international manhunt after his latest contract. The story, set against a backdrop of modern political intrigue, follows a British intelligence officer who attempts to bring down the assassin in a suspense-filled game of cat and mouse.

Starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, The Day of the Jackal allows Budapest to shine with panoramic scenes of the city as the Jackal once again eludes detection. We see him (played by Redmayne) hurrying down steps from the newly renovated Keleti train station (perhaps trying to find which underpass exit will take him to the McDonald’s across the road). We also catch him hanging out at Heroes’ Square–beloved by skaters, architectural buffs and high-profile assassins alike.  

Truth be told, no matter how many international productions come to Budapest to film, I don’t think I will ever tire from seeing the different faces of this truly mesmerizing city on the screen.  

Further information:

The Day of the Jackal

Chief of Station

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Hungary Extends 30% Tax Rebate for Film & TV Productions to 2030

In a move that’s been splashed all over the trade news sites, Hungary announced the extension of its tax rebate system. This is the 30% incentive which contributed to the country becoming the second most popular filming destination for international productions in Europe after London.

The extension of the rebate, which is now set to remain in place until 2030, was recently announced by Hungarian film commissioner Csaba Kael in Los Angeles. It will no doubt help maintain the country’s popularity as a filming destination, with an average of around 100 international productions filmed in Hungary annually. These projects range from Hollywood blockbusters (Dune: Part Two and Alien: Romulus) to independent films and TV series such as The Brutalist, Maria, NCIS, FBI: International, and The Day of the Jackal.

Originally introduced in 2004, the incentive program offers a cash rebate on production costs spent in the country. Additionally, thanks to a skilled local workforce and production infrastructure that is continually expanding to meet demand, Hungary’s annual production spend has sky-rocketed in the last five years. It reached a record  $910 million in 2023—almost four times its 2018 spend.

During the two decades that the rebate has been in place, several Hungarian-shot films have gone on to become Oscar and BAFTA nominees. Hungarians behind the scenes on these productions have also been recognized for their excellence; Zsuzsanna Sipos received an Oscar and BAFTA for best production design for Dune, while Zsuzsa Mihalek received an Oscar and BAFTA for best production design for Poor Things and Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy respectively.

To celebrate Hungary’s contributions to the global film industry, the first Made in Hungary event was held in Los Angeles October 25th - 27th, featuring Hungarian films and honouring international productions shot in Hungary. The Hungarian Film Institute bestowed the inaugural Best International Production Filmed in Hungary Award to Poor Things as part of the festivities.

Via Imdb.

The renewed tax incentive signals the country’s commitment and ambition to remaining a leading choice for international productions.

Sources & further information:

Variety

Deadline

Hollywood Reporter

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Budapest’s New International Film Festival Opens in October

The inaugural Budapest International Film Festival (BIFF) opens this month with tantalizing films screening from around the world. 

A city as creative and vibrant as Budapest (and one where so much international filming takes place) deserves a film festival of its own. And following the closure of the long-standing Titanic International Film Festival a few years ago, a new one is finally picking up the baton: the Budapest International Film Festival (BIFF).

As reported recently in the Budapest Reporter, BIFF is being led by festival director Kristóf Horváth and creative director Bálint Szimler. The goal is to not only preserve the essence of the Titanic Festival, but to push beyond its legacy into new territory. Horváth elaborates:

 “We want to carry forward the spirit of the Titanic Film Festival, but with a new and daring approach. Our goal is to make Budapest come alive with diverse professional programs, off-site events, and parties. Even if you don’t go to the movies often, set aside this week to immerse yourself in films and shared experiences.”

Line-up of Films

The inaugural edition of BIFF promises a varied and exciting selection of films. Some highlights include:

• The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Germany’s Oscar submission, a social drama by exiled Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof. It explores the dangerous conflict between state authority and individual freedom in an oppressive society.

• I Saw the TV Glow

A standout queer coming-of-age story from the illustrious gang at A24, co-presented by Telex Filmklub.

I Saw the TV Glow (2024), via Imdb.

• The Human Surge 3

An unconventional piece by Argentine filmmaker Eduardo Williams which challenges traditional storytelling by continuing the narrative of a non-existent franchise.

• All We Imagine as Light

A film about the friendship between three nurses in present-day Mumbai. It was the first film from India since 1994 to compete in the main competition of Cannes this year and won the Grand Prix.

All We Imagine as Light (2024), via Imdb.

• The Brutalist

A UK-US co-production filmed in Hungary about a Hungarian immigrant architect in the US post WW2. Directed by Brady Corbet, you can read more about the film here.

• Kneecap

A biographical drama about a Belfast hip-hop group which features the band playing themselves alongside Michael Fassbender. It blends music, rebellion, and cultural resistance.

Celebrating the Past

BIFF will also feature a retrospective celebrating the 100th anniversary of Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. and explore the detective genre's evolution in cinema. Four films spanning different eras will showcase how film language and narrative forms have evolved over the decades.

Festival Details

BIFF will take place at Corvin Cinema in Budapest from October 29th to November 3rd, showcasing 20 international films. See links below for the full lineup.

Sources & Further Info

Budapest International Film Festival

The Budapest Reporter

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

John Malkovich to perform at House of Music in Budapest

Budapest will welcome acclaimed actor John Malkovich this November for a series of unique performances at the House of Music, Hungary.

John Malkovich. Picture via Wikipedia.

Malkovich (who really needs no introduction) is renowned for his roles in films such as Being John Malkovich and Dangerous Liaisons. We were lucky enough to see the actor in David Mamet’s play Bitter Wheat in London a few years back and his performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. He is clearly a thespian equally at home on stage and film.

According to reports, Malkovich spent some time in Budapest this summer. During his time here, he had the chance to explore the House of Music’s concert halls and the Divas & Icons exhibition (which we wrote about extensively here). While we don’t know if this had any bearing on his decision to perform at the venue, we can certainly speculate… In any case, the House of Music has proven itself to be a spectacular performance space. 

This upcoming production will incorporate Malkovich (in collaboration with pianist Anastasya Terenkova), seamlessly blending literature, music, and performance art. Malkovich’s voice will serve as the fourth "instrument" in a chamber trio led by Terenkova. The trio will perform music by famous composers such as Astor Piazzolla, Antonio Vivaldi, Max Richter, and Eric Satie, enhancing the dark narrative of the show.

Running for three performances on November 17 and 18, the story itself that Malkovich will narrate follows the chilling life of Ramirez Hoffman, a fictional Nazi poet and pilot. The interpretation is based on a chapter from Roberto Bolaño's novel La literatura nazi en América and explores the intersection of art, ideology, and violence, brought to life by Malkovich’s commanding voice.

The performances will feature Hungarian subtitles. After each show, the audience will have the opportunity to engage with Malkovich directly during brief Q&A sessions.

The show will be his second in Hungary in recent years, following his 2022 appearance in The Music Critic. Let’s hope the actor keeps coming back regularly to Budapest!

Further information:

House of Music, Hungary

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Filmed in Hungary: The Brutalist

In the past, we’ve written about examples of Brutalist architecture to be found in Hungary. But now we’re looking at The Brutalist, a Brady Corbet film about a Hungarian architect and immigrant filmed in Hungary that garnered a twelve-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival this year.

In a recent interview with Brent Lang for Variety, the writer-director Brady Corbet compared movie making with constructing a skyscraper. It makes sense; both endeavours require infrastructure, collaboration and compromise on an immense scale. Corbet’s film is an extension of the analogy as it examines the complex relationship between art and commerce through the lens of an architect’s struggle to bring his vision to life.

The architect in question is the film’s main character, played by Adrien Brody: László Tóth. He’s a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor who emigrates to the United States after World War II. The film explores Tóth’s complicated relationship with a wealthy industrialist, Harrison Lee Van Buren (played by Guy Pearce), who commissions Tóth to design a starkly modern community centre. But Tóth’s desire to remain true to his artistic vision, despite personal and financial costs, contrasts with Van Buren’s power-hungry manipulation. The film highlights the tension between artist and benefactor, which Corbet sees as reminiscent of Hollywood and other creative industries.

Critics at the Venice Film Festival hailed the three-and-a-half-hour movie as a "masterpiece," likening its dark exploration of power and capitalism to Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood. With a current rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is also predicted to become a classic in the vein of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.

The story of The Brutalist speaks to universal themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the elusive “American Dream.” The title character’s journey is both personal and allegorical, representing the struggle many immigrants have when seeking opportunity abroad, only to find themselves navigating complex (and often exploitative) power dynamics.  

Despite being filmed in Hungary for a very sensible $10 million (a fraction of what a studio blockbuster usually costs), the film reportedly has an aura of painstaking craftsmanship. Shot on 70mm film using VistaVision (a technique popular in the 1950s), The Brutalist is clearly designed to replicate the grandeur of classic Hollywood epics. 

Adrien Brody. Picture via Wikipedia

Brody brings an additional personal touch to his role in that his mother is herself a Hungarian immigrant who fled during the 1956 Hungarian revolution to start anew in the U.S. The actor has said that he felt an instant “kinship and understanding” for his character.

Felicity Jones plays Brody’s wife in the film. The cast also includes an impressive ensemble of Hungarian actors and industry veterans.

The Brutalist will be released December 20th, 2024.

Sources and further information:

Variety

Hungary Today

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Location Scout: Lake Tisza, Hungary's Wild Wetlands

Lake Tisza, an artificial lake formed over 50 years ago to control flooding of the Tisza River, is now a top Hungarian tourist destination. But not only is it a haven for water sports enthusiasts, it’s a stunningly wild landscape rich in biodiversity. Spanning 127 square kilometres, the area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and is part of the Hortobágy National Park.

Tisza River. Picture via Unsplash.

It's difficult to believe the lake was originally man-made, so convincingly has mother nature reclaimed the region. The lake’s irregular shape, patchwork of islands and intricate network of backwater channels that wind through thick vegetation is reminiscent of the wetlands of Mississippi – without the alligators.

 A River Transformed: The Birth of Lake Tisza

The Tisza River, which flows through the Great Hungarian Plain, used to be one of Central Europe’s most unpredictable waterways. Stretching for 1,419 kilometres before it was regulated, the river meandered through a vast, flat landscape where frequent flooding would devastate the surrounding area.

To manage the issue, Hungary undertook a major river regulation project in the 19th century, spearheaded by István Széchenyi. The length of the river was reduced to 966 kilometres, which created 589 kilometres of dead channels and 136 kilometres of new riverbed. This helped prevent the disastrous flooding that had plagued the region for centuries. But it wasn’t until the late 1960s, with the construction of the Tisza Dam at Kisköre, that Lake Tisza as we know it today was born.

Lake Tisza. Picture via Unsplash.

A Rich and Diverse Wildlife Haven

One of Lake Tisza's most remarkable features is the biodiversity found here. The sheer variety of plants and animals make it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers: over 200 species of birds reside in the Tiszafüred bird reserve, including herons, egrets, and cormorants.

Lake Tisza is also famous for the annual “flowering” of the Tisza River, a natural spectacle where millions of giant mayflies emerge to mate over the span of three hours. The air above the water’s surface becomes thick with flapping golden wings glinting in the light as the insects dance their last dance before dying.  

A Destination for All Seasons

Lake Tisza’s charm lies not only in the diversity it offers in terms of wildlife and landscapes, but also in its ability to offer something different for each season. In spring, the lake is alive with blooming flowers and migrating birds. Summer offers warm, sunny days perfect for water sports and relaxing on the shore. Autumn brings a quieter atmosphere, with shades of gold reflecting off the water. And in winter, the lake’s tranquil beauty makes it the perfect spot for a peaceful retreat. 

Sources & further information:

Lake Tisza Eco Centre

Wikipedia

Lake Tisza Film

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Hungarian TV Series Rise of the Raven to Premier at MIPCOM Cannes 2024

As recently reported in Index and Variety, the Hungarian historical TV series Rise of the Raven (produced by Beta Films and Robert Lantos), is set to make its world premiere at the prestigious MIPCOM Cannes 2024 on October 22nd. The ten-part series, which explores the life of legendary Hungarian military leader János Hunyadi in the 15th century, is a hotly anticipated title for its action-packed storyline and high production values.

Rise of the Raven. Picture via Imdb

MIPCOM Cannes, held annually on the French Riviera, is considered one of Europe’s most significant television events. It attracts industry professionals and executives from leading content companies around the world, serving as a vital platform for launching and promoting new television content. With over 11,000 participants from 100 countries attending in 2023, the event has become a hub for industry players to shape the future of television. The inclusion of Rise of the Raven in this year’s lineup marks a historic moment for the country, as it is the first time a production from Hungary has received such a prestigious premier at MIPCOM.

The TV series tells the story of János Hunyadi, a village boy who grows up to become a fearless warrior who battles the advancing Ottoman army. Set against the backdrop of 15th-century Europe (and all the compelling personal and political intrigue that involves), the series culminates in Hunyadi’s decisive victory at the Battle of Belgrade in 1456. This victory was so significant that it inspired Pope Callixtus III to order the ringing of church bells at noon, a tradition that continues to this day.

The series stands out not only for its historical importance but also for its ambitious production values. Over 600 actors from various countries were involved in the making of the show, each speaking in their native language to enhance historical authenticity. The cast includes European stars such as Laurence Rupp (Barbarians), Giancarlo Giannini (Casino Royale), and Karel Roden (The Bourne Supremacy). Directed by Robert Dornhelm, Orsi Nagypál, and Attila Szász, the series showrunner is Balázs Lengyel. The show has already generated international interest and is set to air in Hungary on TV2 in early 2025.

Producer Robert Lantos, known for films like Sunshine and Eastern Promises, expressed his excitement about bringing János Hunyadi’s story to a global audience.

“Rise of the Raven traces a hero’s journey from village boy to fearless warrior to the saviour of Europe for whom the noon bell tolls,” Lantos is reported as saying. “Since childhood, I have been intrigued by the noon bell. Bán Mór’s best-selling novels provided me with the opportunity to tell this story.” The series is based on Mór Bán’s historical novels, which delve into the political and military challenges of late medieval Europe.

The executive producers of the series are Tibor Krsko, Cecilia Hazai, Kinga Hazai, Oliver Auspitz and Andreas Kamm of MR Film, and Koby Gal-Raday, with Ari Lantos as producer.

The premier of Rise of the Raven at MIPCOM Cannes marks a significant milestone for Hungarian television and demonstrates the potential for East-Central European productions to break through on the international stage.

Sources & further information:

FormatBiz

Hungary Today

Index.hu

Variety

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.