Filmed in Budapest: Radioactive

This is the time of year when we’d normally write a horror/pagan/spooky type post. But this year, we’ll leave that for the news. Instead, we’ll take this opportunity to promote a film about internal strength and fortitude, that was, of course, filmed for the most part in Hungary. Radioactive, which was scheduled to be released last summer in theatres, but due to circumstances, was put out digitally, is a film about French scientist Marie Curie, who among other accomplishments, discovered radioactivity, helping to revolutionise physics and chemistry. One wants to paint Curie as an underdog, and indeed she did suffer for being a woman in a male-dominated field, but she also has the distinction of being one of the very few people to win a Nobel Prize twice.

Staring Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie, the production summoned Budapest’s pre-war feel as a stand-in for Curie’s hometown of Paris. The production also traveled to Esztergom to make use of the quaint, romantic exteriors that small city offers. Radioactive was directed by Marjane Satrapi, whose international smash graphic novel Persepolis helped her launch a career in film. The source material for Radioactive was also a graphic novel: Radioactive by Lauren Redniss. The New York Times called the film “thoughtful,” and “very watchable.”

CNN Traveler had a word with Pike about her experience in Budapest, and she had nothing but glowing things to report: “We filmed on Zoltán Utca and transformed it into the most beautiful Parisian street scene, with cafes, flower sellers, horses, and carriages. It is the first time we see the young Marie [in the film] and she is so absorbed in her book that she bumps into Pierre [Curie]. This is their first meeting. We also used the Ethnographic Museum as the Sorbonne University lecture hall where Marie first announces her discovery of radioactivity and the two new elements she and Pierre discovered and named: Radium and Polonium (named after her native Poland). And we shot inside the same building that houses Brody House, which is a bit like Budapest’s answer to Soho House. Like you get in Europe, it’s this wonderful, old building with beautiful apartments with very, very high ceilings. It’s very Parisian. So, we used part of that house to be Marie and Pierre’s apartment.”

Once again, Budapest becomes a master of disguises. Pike went on in the interview to praise the city’s cultural riches, and even found what she called some of the ‘best vegetarian’ food of her life.

As Amazon Studios was in part behind the production (along with StudioCanal UK), it is no surprise that you can stream Radioactive on Amazon. Meanwhile, here’s the trailer.

Flatpack Films has many years of experience dedicated to offering expert servicing. It has brought the best of Hungary to countless brands, agencies, and production companies through its 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 - bringing their projects to life through a highly bespoke approach.