Exploring Budapest’s Art Nouveau Architectural Gems

Budapest, the cosmopolitan capital of Hungary, has a wonderfully eclectic range of architecture. It’s a characteristic that has certainly helped it become the second most popular filming destination in Europe after London. We look at some examples of Art Nouveau the city has to offer and the distinctive Magyar spin on the style.

What classifies as Art Nouveau?

An ornamental art style that influenced architecture, fine art and applied art at the turn of the twentieth century, the expression “Art Nouveau” was first coined in Belgium in 1884. It became known by different names in different countries: Jugendstil in Germany, Belle Époque in France, and Szecesszió in Hungary.

Popular for only a short time, Art Nouveau was sometimes criticised at the time for being too lavishly decorative and elaborate. The guiding principle of the movement was the inspiration it took from the asymmetrical curves and lines of the natural world. It was partly born of a backlash against poor quality mass-produced goods flooding Europe, a result of growing industrialization. Viewing this trend as a threat to traditional craftsmanship, artists also wanted to remove the traditional barriers that separated fine arts from applied arts. Additionally, its sinuous lines were a response to an historically eclectic and academic classicism found in architectural style.

In this sense, Art Nouveau was a knee-jerk reaction to traditional values of reason and clarity of structure. The result? Buildings that are whimsical works of art were born. So, let’s dive in and explore some of Budapest’s most remarkable Art Nouveau landmarks.

Párisi Udvar, Budapest

Párisi Udvar

Parisi Udvar, or "Paris Courtyard," has all the “wow” factor you’d expect from the Art Nouveau era. Originally constructed in 1912, the building was only recently restored to its former glory. Initially designed as a glass-roofed shopping arcade with open pedestrian entrances (echoing the elegance of Parisian arcades), today it houses a luxurious 110-room hotel managed by Hyatt.

Every detail of this sumptuous building, with its tiled façade, glass domes, turrets and gargoyles, screams ostentatious abandon. It’s a fusion of Gothic and Moorish-inspired details; if that sounds bonkers, it is. And yet, it works. Every element comes together in the most impossibly stylish way.

Gresham Palace

For those with a taste for luxury, the Four Seasons Hotel Budapest Gresham Palace is an Art Nouveau masterpiece worth experiencing. Located at the end of the Chain Bridge, opposite Buda Castle, this iconic building was completed in 1906 for the London-based Gresham Life Assurance Company. Over the years, it has served various purposes, including as barracks for the Red Army and later as an apartment building during the Communist era.

The hotel reopened in 2004 after extensive restoration, reviving its Art Nouveau elements, such as the grand staircase, lattice ironwork and intricate floor mosaics. Stepping through the iron gates at the entrance (complete with peacock motif) is akin to walking into Willy Wonka’s factory, but for enthusiasts of eye candy (we’re talking interior and architectural design here, people). A dramatic oriental dome dominates the lobby area and there are colour combinations of mauve and moss green or blue-green at play that are swoon-worthy.

The Gresham Palace, via www.fourseasons.com

Hungarian State Treasury Building

If you’re looking for a distinctively Magyar take on the Art Nouveau movement, this is the building to have a gander at. Although not open to the public, the Hungarian State Treasury Building (originally the Postal Savings Bank) can be admired from the roof terrace of the neighbouring hotel. Failing that, you can get a decent view of the building simply walking by it on the street and craning your neck.

Designed by Ödön Lechner in 1901, this building epitomizes his vision of a national architectural style, incorporating motifs from Hungarian folk art and utilizing colourful tile patterns from the legendary Hungarian porcelain manufacturer, Zsolnay, based in Pécs. The roof’s colourful glazed tiles and the intricate beehive and snake motifs make it a unique landmark (and one not to be missed).

The Gellért Hotel and Baths, via www.budapest.org

Gellért Hotel and Thermal Baths

Gellért Hotel remains one of Budapest’s most spectacular buildings, nestled at the foot of Gellért Hill and overlooking Szabadság (Liberty) Bridge. It’s a fitting location, as the bridge is sometimes called the most highly ornamental metal truss bridge in the world.

Opened in 1918, the hotel quickly became a social hub, renowned for its sumptuous interiors and stunning views across the city and Danube River. The hotel has hosted many illustrious guests over the years, including monarchs, politicians, and artists. The hotel’s thermal baths, featuring an original outdoor wave pool, welcomes weary travellers with its colourful mosaic tiling and decorative wall motifs. Combining Art Nouveau style and bath culture makes this place a personal favourite.  

Budapest’s Art Nouveau architecture blends beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance. Whether you’re searching for unique, turn-of-the-century film locations in Europe, or are simply an art and architecture enthusiast, exploring these gems will enrich your appreciation of Budapest’s Szecesszió style.

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.  

Sources & further reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau

https://www.danubiushotels.com/budapest-guide/the-100-year-history-of-the-gellert-hotel-spa

https://www.e-travelmag.com/hungary/artnoubudapest/

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/one-of-europes-most-opulent-buildings-transforms-into-a-luxury-hotel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Széchenyi_thermal_bath

Chief of Staff: Action-Thriller Filmed in Budapest

In the realm of cinematic storytelling, the espionage thriller continues to captivate audiences with its winning combination of action, political intrigue, and international locations. Chief of Staff is the most recent addition to this genre that was filmed in Budapest.

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

And in case you hadn’t noticed, this feature was not only shot in Budapest but also set in Hungary’s capital.

Locations such as St. Stephen’s Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, Heroes’ Square, and the Chain Bridge can 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… it ends in an epic gun battle.

The last time we saw Budapest starring in an international film as Budapest was in Marvel’s Black Widow (2021). Filmed partly in Hungary, that featured a memorable scene where Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh (playing sisters in the film) destroy a Budapest apartment during an energetic fight. 

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 the 4-6 tram trundle along Margit bridge in the background while trying to concentrate on Aaron Eckhart.

Sources & further reading:

https://thecinemaholic.com/where-chief-of-station-filmed/

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: Focus of the Taipei Film Festival

In news just in from The Taipei Times, organizers of the Taipei Film Festival have revealed that Budapest will be this year's "city in focus." A curated selection of 20 films will serve as orientation into Hungary’s rich cinematic heritage.

A view over Budapest, Hungary

Among the line-up of 20 films, four recent releases will be shown, including Semmelweis. The movie is a biopic about a pioneering Hungarian doctor who revolutionized healthcare practices in the 19th century. As a result, he drastically reduced the number of women dying in childbirth and earned the nickname, “saviour of mothers.”

Also to be featured is Katalin Moldovai's directorial debut, Without Air, which boldly addresses social and political issues within contemporary Hungarian society. Its lead is a high-school teacher who is accused of promoting homosexual values to her students, thereby rattling conservative sensibilities.

Additionally, the festival promises a retrospective of 16 New Wave films, offering insight into life under Hungary's authoritarian socialist regime during the Cold War era. The selection includes works from the renowned Balázs Bela Studio spanning from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Acclaimed Hungarian director Bela Tarr receives special recognition as this year's "Filmmaker in Focus." Audiences will have the opportunity to experience some of Tarr's cinematic masterpieces, including his earliest works such as digitally restored versions of Family Nest and The Outsider, alongside his celebrated 2011 film, The Turin Horse.

Themed cities have been an integral part of the Taipei Film Festival since its inception in 2002, with past editions featuring great cities like Paris, Prague, Kyoto, and Melbourne. Budapest is in good company! The return of this programming tradition highlights the festival's commitment to honouring global cinematic diversity.

Save the dates! The Taipei Film Festival is scheduled to run from June 21 to July 2, with the Taipei Film Awards ceremony slated for July 6.

Sources & further information:

 https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/04/28/2003817070

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignaz_Semmelweis

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 Man Behind the Art of Optical Illusion: Victor Vasarely

We’re taking a look at the Hungarian-French man widely considered to be the granddaddy of the op-art movement, Victor Vasarely.

Born Győző Csiszár in 1906 in the southern university town of Pécs, Victor Vasarely was at one point a medical student then graphic artist who worked for advertising agencies Havas, Draeger, and Devambez after moving to Paris in 1930.

Vasarely was intrigued with perspective and the interplay between shadow and light. Among his early work from this period is the intriguingly named Girl-Power (created in 1934, well before the Spice Girls movement) and Zebra (1937), considered one of the earliest examples of Op art.

Kezdi Domb, 1968 - 1975

During the early 1940s he dabbled in cubism, expressionism and surrealistic painting, but felt that he was on the wrong track. It wasn’t until the late 40s that Vasarely finally came into his own by developing his signature geometric abstract style or optical art.

Usually spending his summers in Gordes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Vasarely was inspired by the cubic houses there. He became interested in visual kinetics and building a stereoscopic viewpoint; i.e., using techniques to add the illusion of depth or a 3D effect to a flat image. In his Yellow Manifest, Vasarely considered the viewer the sole creator of optical art because it relied on their perception to bring it to life.

Zebra, 1937

Vasarely’s work is a celebration of the incrongruous match between math and art. And like many odd couples, the result is pure magic; a symbiotic relationship between creative vision, form and mathematical precision. The fusion of geometry and colour creates illusions of movement and truly impactful art that draws the viewer in with cinematic power.

 If you’re interested in losing yourself in this visually mind-bending genre (without the complication of mind-altering drugs) we recommend paying a visit to one of two Vasarely museums located in Budapest and Pécs.

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.

Sources & further information:

Vasarely Museum, Budapest

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Vasarely

https://www.wikiart.org/en/victor-vasarely

https://www.fondationvasarely.org/en/victor-vasarely/

Hungary's Origo Studios shortlisted for Studio of the Year by GPA

Some more very exciting news to report from Hungary’s film production scene: Origo Studios has been shortlisted for Studio of the Year in the Global Production Awards (GPA) 2024.

What are the Global Production Awards?

These awards shine a light on those behind the camera who work tirelessly in studios, on production sets and locations to bring outstanding entertainment to our screens.

The GPAs have several categories where a shortlist is compiled of candidates that exhibit excellence in a particular field. They search the world over for the best in locations, studios, crews, ideas and execution.

Other awards are up for grab in these categories:

• Sustainability

• Physical Production Innovation

• Virtual Production Innovation

• Film Commissions

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Community Impact

The awards are an initiative of Media Business Insights, the publishers of industry standard titles such as Screen International, KFTV, The Knowledge, World of Locations and Broadcast.

As GPA explains on their website, key to the awards is, “…great initiatives, projects and work that are setting the highest standards in sustainability, diversity and ensuring local economies benefit from the productions taking place in their markets.”

The judges for the awards are high-level industry professionals from around the world. Winners will be announced at Cannes on May 20th, 2024.

Origo Studios shortlisted for Studio of the Year. What do they offer?

It’s a state-of-the-art, full-service film complex. With 8 sound stages and 2 VFX/multimedia stages, 14 acres of backlot and services that include the gambit from accounting and legal, office space and storage to set production and postproduction.

Over the span of 12 years Origo has facilitated the making of 50+ major productions including Dune (parts one and two), Bladerunner 2049, The Witcher, Shadow and Bone, and many more local and international film and television productions.

Sources & further information:

https://www.globalproductionawards.com/shortlist-2024

www.origostudios.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 Hungarian film incentives and film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.

Filming in Hungary: A Palace to Rival Versailles

In this instalment of our series on castles in Hungary, we’re travelling west to the Austrian border. Eszterháza, a grand palace envisaged by Prince Miklós Eszterházy to rival Versailles, was built near the southern shore of the Neusiedler See (Fertõ tó in Hungary), a vast lake that straddles the Hungarian-Austrian border.

Image via Wikipedia, Dániel Somogyi-Tóth.

The kernel for this extensive estate had humble beginnings. Prince Miklós spent a lot of his time here in what was originally nothing more than a hunting lodge called Süttör. But the man had big dreams–and the funds–to build something quite spectacular.

It may be the most elaborate and ambitious pimp my house project in history.

To make things interesting, the swampy land upon which the lodge sat was considered a health hazard at the time. Undeterred, the prince, and his team of architects (Johann Ferdinand Mödlhammer and Melchior Hefele), drawing inspiration from Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, completed the project in 1784.

The hunting lodge that grew into an imposing palace, considered the greatest Baroque-Rococo building in Hungary and somewhat incongruously nestled in the picturesque Fertõ-Hanság National Nature Park, became home to the Hungarian Eszterházy family.

Image via Wikipedia, Szvitek Péter

With its 126 rooms and extensive gardens, the castle was also home to the composer Joseph Haydn for 29 years when he became director of the Eszterhazy’s musical and theatrical programs in 1761. Haydn conducted his own and others’ operas here, often more than 100 a year.

Although the palace contained an opera house and theatre, Haydn held many of his concerts in the picture gallery on the ground floor. Regular cultural programs were also held free to the public in the Marionette theatre.  

The palace's extensive grounds include a French Garden adorned with yew trees and intersecting garden paths; an English garden with Caucasian linden trees; and the Rosary, with 9,000 rose bushes, extensive pergola structures and octagonal Chinese pavilion at its centre.

Although no longer an issue, it’s interesting to note the effect the castle’s geographic isolation had on Haydn and his musicians, apparent from the letters he wrote at the time. Far from the madding crowd, to be sure, but it seems all that quiet impacted their mental health; the remote nature of the estate’s location led to feelings of boredom and loneliness.

Not anymore. The palace has more that 200,000 visitors a year and has served as a popular filming location in Hungary for several decades.

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.

Sources & further reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eszterháza

http://www.eszterhaza.hu/szolgaltatasok/filmforgatas

https://www.wmf.org/project/eszterháza-castle

https://www.europeanhistoricgardens.eu/en/esterhazy-palace760

International Film Production: What are the benefits of filming in Hungary?

In recent years, Hungary has emerged as a sought-after destination for international film, television and commercial production. So much so that Budapest is now the number two international filming destination in Europe after London. We look at some of the reasons why it’s become so popular.

The Hungarian film industry has experienced significant growth over the last few years with production volume increasing at an exponential rate. According to a recent article in Portfolio, production volume reached nearly 1 billion Euro in 2022. What’s fuelled that growth?

Panoramic shot of Budapest, straddling the Danube river.

 Location, location, location.

The country offers a successful mix of historical charm, eclectic architecture and modern infrastructure. At the forefront of this is Budapest, a city blessed with a fusion of architectural styles, ranging from the grandeur of Baroque and dramatic Gothic structures to the elegance of Art Nouveau. This allows filmmakers to bring both historical epics and contemporary narratives to life. Budapest's chameleon-like ability to double for other places like Paris or Berlin, even London or Manchester, further enhances its appeal, offering a cost-effective solution without compromising on authenticity.

 Tax incentives

Hungary entices filmmakers with attractive financial incentives, underscoring the government's commitment to fostering a thriving film industry. With tax incentives of up to 30% of the total production cost, Hungary offers filmmakers a competitive edge, making it an economically viable choice for productions of all budgets. This is coupled with a highly skilled local workforce proficient in areas such as set design and construction, costume design, and visual effects.

Terrace of a café in downtown Budapest.

State-of-the-art studios

Complementing locations are the range of studios and facilities available. We recently wrote about the expansion of NFI studios, but Korda and Origo must also be mentioned, all of which have accommodated large-scale and high-budget productions such as Blade Runner 2049, The Martian, The Witcher and Dune parts one and two. Current cinematic darling Poor Things filmed here as well as many smaller scale film, television and commercial productions looking to get more bang for their buck.

Professional crew & Oscar-worthy talent

The influx of international productions has not only generated employment opportunities but also facilitated the development of local talent and skills. We recently looked at the abundance of local acting talent to be found on the ground here in Hungary, as well as the obvious talent of those behind the camera.

Co-star of Poor Things, Mark Ruffalo, posted on Instagram after the film enjoyed a successful run at the Academy Awards congratulating the winners and thanking the professionalism of the Hungarian crew, “… Incredible artists and film makers in their own right.”

The industry at large is also recognizing the talent Hungary has to offer the film world. 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.

St. Gellért Metro station, Budapest

This doesn’t mean the country is resting on its laurels. To retain the number two spot, Hungary will have to continue developing infrastructure and training crews, only too aware of the competitive nature of this business. But as the film and television landscape continues to evolve, the country is well-placed to take advantage of international productions searching to deliver content at a more affordable price-tag.

Sources & further information

Business Focus

Portfolio Article

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.

5 Surprising Facts about Nátán Vértes: A Rising Hungarian Ice-Hockey Star Championing Mental Health

Meet Nátán Vértes, a passionate professional ice hockey player who’s played in Hungary, Finland and the U.S.A., has just been featured on Forbes Hungary’s 30/30 List and who demands excellence of himself both on and off the ice. He’s on a mission to inspire others and spread awareness of mental health.

Nátán’s love affair with hockey started at a young age. Displaying a special talent, he began working with a coach (Árpad Kercsó) from the age of six. What followed was a whirlwind of teams and places, from the Budapest Stars, Zalaegerszeg and Székesfehérvár to Finland.

At that point, he was still under 18.

We asked Nátán some questions about his life and successes to date and uncovered some surprising facts…

1. He already has a burger named after him in South Dakota.

Spotted by an American coach when he was playing a match against the U.S. with the Hungarian U18 national team, Nátán was whisked away to South Dakota. There he played for the Aberdeen Wings and won a full scholarship to the University of Alaska where he started studying psychology–a subject that would become another life passion.

Nátán thinks back fondly on his time spent here, calling it the best three years of his life. While playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), he formed a close bond with the fans.

“Thousands of people attended every game we played,” Nátán explains. “They loved and accepted me, and I always tried to reciprocate that. After each game, my teammates and I would regularly go to a restaurant where the owner was a hockey fan, and I was his favourite player. I always asked for peanut butter in my hamburger–he liked it so much that he put it on the menu as the 'Vertes Burger.' So, anyone visiting South Dakota, be sure to try my burger!”

Sidenote: we completely endorse this level of love for peanut butter. It just goes with everything, okay?

2. He lives by the mantra: “Did I get better today?”

Last year Nátán returned home. He started playing with the Hungarian national team and was selected as the best rookie player. He’s also continuing his studies at ELTE (Eötvös Loránd University) in Budapest.

When asked about the secrets behind his success, Nátán had this to say:

“I believe there is no 'secret' to my success. I consider myself an authentic person. Whatever I do, I always do it with my whole heart. I am always honest with myself and others. On my mirror in the bathroom there's a note with a question I ask myself: Did I get better today? In the evenings, I can look in the mirror and know that I did everything that day to become better.” 

3. He’s as comfortable modelling clothes as he is ready to rumble on the ice.

Although Nátán considers himself primarily a hockey player (and one not averse to a bit of rough and tumble on the ice), Nátán explains how fashion, design and art are also very close to his heart.

“For me, my appearance, style, and the clothes I wear are a means of self-expression. I also enjoy painting, reading, going to the theatre or cinema. I draw inspiration from anything that impacts me.”

When it comes to athletes shining off the field, David Beckham, the man and the brand, is certainly a name that springs to mind.

“I find it inspiring when athletes, in addition to their successful sports careers, dare to showcase other aspects of their personalities, whether it be in fashion, film, or any form of art.” Nátán continues. “David Beckham, alongside his football career, built his own brand; Hector Bellerin's fashion sense and appearance are phenomenal, and Lucas Braathen, besides skiing, also DJs or walks the runways during fashion week.”

Similarly, Nátán also aspires to being “more than an athlete”.

4. He appeared in a commercial filmed by Flatpack Films last year.

Yes, it’s true! We had the great pleasure of working with Nátán last year which he (thankfully) tells us he thoroughly enjoyed.

Nátán comments, “I hope there will be more opportunities to participate in various roles in similar projects."

5. He’s launched a mental health project called “Minden OK” (Everything’s okay). 

This multifaceted young man’s other passion is psychology. That’s spurred him on to launch “Minden OK” as part of his mission to quash the stigma surrounding mental health. Nátán hopes to help others by sharing useful advice that helped him during challenging times.

We asked him how hockey had inspired him in this endeavour.

“My life revolves around hockey. It's a constant in my life that overrides any hardships,” explains Nátán. “When I'm on the ice, I can be completely in the flow, and nothing else matters but the present moment. Through hockey, I've formed lifelong friendships, travelled to places I've only seen in movies, learned what it's like to win, and how to lose with dignity.”

Nátán has worked closely with a sports psychologist since childhood, who has played a key role, according to Nátán, in him becoming not only a better player, but also a better person. He also sparked Nátán’s interest in psychology, as a subject and possible career in the future.

We’ll sign off with this lovely, heartfelt message from Nátán:

“I want to inspire others to dare to be themselves and pursue their dreams.”

Good luck, @natanvertes

Sources:

Forbes List 30/30

Battles, History & Intrigue: Rise of the Raven TV Production Unveiled

European powerhouse Beta Film divulged the first sneak-peak this week (exclusively for Variety) of a new 10-part TV series touted as “One of the most epic European TV productions of all time.”

Rise of the Raven. Picture via Imdb

In the landscape of European television, where we’re increasingly seeing iterations of historical drama for our viewing pleasure, we’re about to see something a little different. Rise of the Raven, a mammoth project from Hungarian-born Canadian producer Robert Lantos (Sunshine, The Sweet Hereafter, Barney’s Version, Eastern Promises, Crimes of the Future) has concluded photography and is now in advanced editing, as reported by Variety. 

At its core, this is the story of army commander Janos Hunyadi, legendary in Hungary, although not a house-hold name outside Central Europe. Hunyadi faced an impossibe mission at the Battle of Belgrade in 1456 when he went up against the might of the Ottoman army with half as many troops–some of whom were simple farm labourers pitifully underequipped for combat. It’s a classic underdog tale where Hunyadi and his army emerged victorious against all odds, stopping the Ottoman expansion into Europe for several decades at least–until 1526 when 150 years of Ottoman occupation of Hungary began.

Incidentally, if you’ve wondered why church bells ring at midday throughout Europe, this is why. Upon victory, Pope Callixtus III ordered that the bells should toll every day in celebration and the habit kind of stuck.

Rise of the Raven. Picture via Imdb

But apart from this monumental and bloody battle, Hunyadi’s life reads much like… well, a TV series. Which is lucky, because now it is one! Adapted from Bán Mór’s bestselling novels, the show will delve into the scandals and political intrigue surrounding Hunyadi’s life. But there’ll also be a welcome female perspective thanks to his loyal wife, Elizabeth Szilágyi, and his first love turned Sultan’s concubine, Mara Brankovic. Frankly, we cannot wait to see how this plays out.

Variety reports: “‘Rise of the Raven’ delivers on its promises – a highly entertaining, emotional, and powerful historical saga of exceptional production value,” said Koby Gal Raday, Beta Film’s Chief Content Officer. He added: “With a strong and unique emphasis on female perspectives, the series offers captivating storylines that are highly relevant to today’s audience. Supported by a stellar creative team and an excellent international cast, we firmly believe in its significant global potential.”

The list of talent both infront of and behind the camera that has been gathered for this series is formidable. Directors of the series include Austrian Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning Robert Dornhelm as well as Hungarian directors Orsi Nagypal (The Deal, The Outpost) and Attila Szasz (Tall Tales, Eternal Winter). 

The series’ showrunner is Balazs Lengyel (HBO’s Golden Life). Other writers of the series are George Mihalka, Balazs Lovas, Zsófia Ruttkay, Attila Veres and Ban Mor, (author of the novels on which the series is based).

Sources & further reading:

https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/robert-lantos-beta-film-janos-hunyadi-1235923646/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15373664/

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.

Tapping into Local Acting Talent in Budapest, Hungary

Hungary is well-known as being one of the busiest filming hubs in Europe. But how has this impacted actors residing in the country? Are they benefiting from an upsurge in roles available now that Hungary is fast becoming the Hollywood of the East?

Increasing numbers of international production companies are coming to the country to film commercials, films or TV series and 2024 is gearing up to be a bumper year. This is especially welcome news in the aftermath of the writers and SAG-AFTRA strikes which put a stop to many productions last year.

Considering the uptake in international productions filming in Hungary, it seems logical that local creative talent should also be able to take advantage of the opportunities that offers.

Actors: an untapped resource

Beyond locations, crew and set construction, Hungary supplies a diverse pool of extras to fill roles requiring little or no dialogue for film and audiovisual projects .  

But there’s also a large community of experienced actors on hand locally. These are creatives who could easily step into meatier roles requiring professional acting experience. But international producers who come here to film have not yet fully utilized local acting talent, despite the fact that many have proficiency in multiple languages.

The ORIGO Talent Network

There are several agencies operating in Hungary currently that keep databases on available actors and extras. Representation or “agents” for talent is not common practice in the country, meaning actors need to ensure they are registered with all the major casting agencies.

So, in a move to better showcase the acting talent on tap in Hungary, Origo Studios (one of the major studios offering soundstages and production facilities in Budapest) have rolled out a centralized platform which allows international producers find and connect with local actors at the click of a button.

Origo Studios launched the Talent Network last week at an event attended by numerous well-known actors in the region. This free service aims to connect Hungary’s acting talent (Hungarian and international) directly with production companies.

The unique tool will make it easier to find actors located in Hungary who speak the required language at a proficient level. Other search filters can also be applied according to criteria such as gender, age and other skills.

As quoted by the Budapest Reporter, Márta Fekszi (CEO of ORIGO Studios) highlighted the mission behind the initiative, stating, "We want to see more Hungarian actors and actresses perform in the biggest Hollywood productions." The goal is to not only attract international projects to Hungary but to also ensure that local actors have the chance to play a significant role in them.

 A boost for the environment, the bottomline, and creatives

Utilizing local talent has several benefits, not least for reasons of sustainability–flying less cast members internationally has the advantage of decreasing the productions’ overall carbon footprint.

It also makes sense financially. International productions enjoy a 30% tax rebate (among other perks) when they make use of Hungarian talent.

The step will undoubtedly also boost the overall recruitment of actors who live locally. Hungarian actors such as Dorka Gryllus, Júlia Ubrankovics, and Máté Haumann have already made significant contributions to the global film and TV industry–Haumann played roles in Oppenheimer, The Witcher and Colette.

One professionally trained actor we spoke to, a Canadian-Hungarian resident in Hungary since 2015, thinks Origo’s initiative could have a positive impact.  

Christine Grace Szarko, who has worked extensively in Hungary as an actor (Death of a Unicorn, Shadow & Bone) and as a dialect and dialogue coach (Halo and Band of Spies), speaks in glowing terms about the professionalism of local cast and crew she has encountered on set.

But Szarko would also like to see more opportunities for local casting in the international film productions that come to the coutry.

With initiatives such as Origo’s, hopefully talent in Hungary will have more opportunities made available to them to shine on a global scale.

Sources & further reading:

https://origotalent.com

https://www.budapestreporter.com/origo-studios-launches-innovative-talent-network-to-boost-hungarian-film-industry/

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.

Filming in Hungary: The Royal Castle of Gödöllõ

In the third instalment of our series featuring castles in Hungary, we’re taking an easy 45-minute drive from the capital on the M3 highway to visit a place that was favoured by Empress Elisabeth–affectionately known as Sisi.

Royal Palace of Gödöllő. Photo from Wikipedia.

We like to take you places in this blog, to shed some light on why Hungary has become such a popular filming destination for international productions and highlight different aspects of the country. This time we’re visiting a right royal destination. 

Our other motivation? We’re in the middle of a Sisi-fest–there are currently two TV series and a film running on various streaming platforms featuring The Empress of Ausrtria. That’s prompted us to take a look at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, one-time playground of the queen.

This is the largest baroque castle in Hungary, built in the mid 18th century by Count Antal Grassalkovich. Constructed in a double U-shape and surrounded by a huge park, the building itself underwent expansion and several modifications which led to it containing, besides its residential wings, a church, a theatre, a riding-hall, a hothouse and an orangery. Clearly, any castle worth its salt is not complete unless you have a place to grow fruit trees indoors.

Once the male lineage of the Grassalkovich family died out, the palace was eventually bought by the Hungarian state and then given as a coronation present in 1867 to the royal couple, Emperor Franz Joseph and his bride, Elisabeth. The significance of this gesture was that the palace became not only the official Hungarian residence of the Emperor (who had also become King of Hungary), it also represented Hungary getting its independent statehood back with the establishment of the Austrian-Hungarian empire.    

The royal family spent several months of the year in Gödöllő. The castle became a favourite spot for Empress Sisi as it offered a welcome respite from the confines of the Viennese court; she even managed to learn fluent Hungarian!

The Royal Family in Gödöllő. Lithograph by Vinzenz Katzler - Hungarian Historical Picture Gallery.

A couple of World Wars and a stint as an elderly persons’ home during communism took their toll, but the castle was eventually restored to its former glory as an historical and tourist landmark. Visitors can glimpse a bit of history through its meticulously reconstructed interiors.

One of the most impressive features of the castle museum is the Empress Elisabeth Exhibition which has been noted for its accuracy and attention to detail.

Sisi’s quarters in Gödöllő which feature the colour of her favourite flower: violets.

The palace is yet another location in central Europe where filmmakers can make great use of grand architectural style and historic locations. Make period movie magic by shooting in 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.

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.

Sources:

 https://kiralyikastely.hu/erzsebet-kiralyne-es-godollo-kapcsolata.html

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace_of_Gödöllő

New Horizons for Filming in Hungary: NFI Studios expansion

Budapest, Hungary. A place already much favoured by international film and TV makers for its ability to seemingly mimic just about any other city on the planet. And beyond.

Sound stages in this central European country have even made us believe people were colonizing Mars; The Martian (2015) was filmed at Korda studios, which at the time had one of the largest sound studios in the world.   

To meet the increasing demand from international producers wanting to film in Hungary, NFI studios are currently significantly expanding their capacity. With support from the National Film Institute (NFI), the studio is set to grow to 12,670 square meters and will cater to both international and domestic productions.

Aerial shot of NFI Studios showing expansion in yellow. Source: NFI.

NFI is not messing around. It hopes to build on an already stellar reputation Hungary has built as the second biggest international production hub in Europe after London.

Ildikó Kovács, head of NFI Studios, announced that the expansion would enable the studio to attract and host large-scale productions while maintaining world-class facilities for high-end TV and film projects. The new sound stages are designed to be versatile. Not only able to accommodate various productions, they will be strategically located near backlot sets and support facilities, including on-site set construction services, special effects (SFX), and transportation.

As part of the expansion, four new 2,500-square-meter sound stages will be constructed, bringing the total studio capacity to 12,670 square meters. These stages can be used individually or in pairs of 4,945 square meters, separated by a mobile 15-meter high soundproofed wall.

NFI’s ambitious project represents Hungary's most extensive state-funded film studio development to date. Located on a 23-hectare plot in Fót, just outside the Hungarian capital, the complex has provided a diverse backdrop of locations over the years, from medieval European towns to the wild west of the U.S. and everything in between.

Source: NFI.

The comprehensive collection of sets, props, wardrobe items and accessories cover a wide range of historical eras and sound positively mouth-watering to a humble writer such as myself; the narrative possibilities seem endless!

Did anyone say armoury? There’s a vast catalogue of weapons available from the Middle Ages to the 1960s, including one of central Europe's largest inventories of First and Second World War machine guns and revolvers.

Not only that, the studio houses continental Europe’s largest outdoor water tank which was used in Warner Bros' Blade Runner 2049.

If we could see Ryan Gosling doing a song and dance number under water, that would really be something.

With this expanded facility complementing an already impressive number of other studio options available in or near Budapest, 30% tax rebate, diverse landscapes and skilled crews, Hungary will no doubt continue to attract film makers looking to get more bang for their buck.

Source:

https://www.screendaily.com/screen-network/first-look-how-hungary-is-assuring-its-future-with-big-studio-expansion/5186781.article

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.

Red Hot Art from Noemi Devil’s Exhibition at The Red Door in Budapest

Departing from our usual theme of film locations or shooting movies and TV series in Hungary, we took refuge from a cold snap in January 2024 and headed to The Red Door. It’s a gallery in the thick of the now decidedly hip and cool 8th district of downtown Budapest.

Suffice to say, things got a bit hot under the collar.        

If film and TV are siblings born of a dynamic medium, art is their very bohemian first cousin. Paintings are static, sure, but they also have the potential to deliver a hefty impact by conveying messages and meaning. Just like film, they do this through visual language. Form, colour and composition combine to create an image that grabs our attention and sends our imagination on a journey of discovery.

Not sure what to expect from this exhibition of new works from Hungarian artist Noemi Devil, I took one of my more cultured friends, Kinga, who’s in the know regarding contemporary art in Central Europe. She also just so happens to be a big fan of Devil.

Fruits 2023, Noemi Devil

Noemi Devil: Melding the Past and the Present

Noemi Devil is a Hungarian artist who studied Fine Arts, Graphic Art and Architecture at various universities in Vienna. This would have crushed a lessor individual, but Devil’s approach and work ethic have clearly been positively influenced by the experience. The three disciplines, as well as her own artistic practice, form the four pillars that underpin her work.

Dividing her time between Vienna and Budapest, Devil creates her art within thematic cycles that range from 12 to 20 pictures. Her work explores modern issues such as pollution, genetic engineering, our ageing society, and excessive consumption.

Devil’s also dabbled in time travel.

In past paintings, she’s juxtaposed period subjects with modern elements to create work that feels dynamic and cinematic. Look at the narrative hooks Devil’s incorporated into the piece below:

Mc Papageno, Noemi Devil.

This particular exhibition at The Red Door was dominated by a series of vibrant paintings portraying still life of luscious flowers and fanciful fruits. These pictures were like a hallucinogen, evoking an intricate, fantastical world of erotic looking produce.

The overall effect was hypnotic; Alice in Wonderland meets a debauched Garden of Eden.

 What a trip.

Fruits 2023, Noemi Devil

Check out more of Noemi’s work here: www.noemidevil.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.

Lake Balaton, Hungary: One of the World’s Top Filming Locations You’ve Never Heard of

We’re looking at the curious case of Lake Balaton, sitting at number 14 of the world’s most popular movie locations for 2022. Surprising, considering it’s a place that is not very well known outside of central Europe.  

The ranking was compiled by Giggster, a company that secures filming locations for feature films. It seems they simply added up the number of major movies that were shot in certain locations and then ranked the ones used most frequently around the world.  

Lake Balaton. Picture from Wikipedia.

Lake Balaton sits between Gamla Stan in Sweden and Senaatintori in Finland (on the list, that is) with a total of 36 movies filmed there last year. It even outranks St. Mark’s Square in Venice. According to Imdb, 99 films have been shot at the lake over the last hundred years.

A great oblong shaped body of water with a surface area of 600 km2, a maximum length of 78 km and maximum width of 14 km, it’s not called the Hungarian sea for nothing. Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in central Europe and is a major holiday destination in Hungary. The lake also attracts many tourists from surrounding countries. In fact, visitors have been enjoying the delights of the lake for millennia; well-to do Romans used to holiday in the area two-thousand years ago.

Beach Bum Lifestyle

Despite being a landlocked country in central Europe, there’s still plenty of scope at Balaton for sunset cocktails by the shore, sandy beaches, yachts, windsurfing and wake boarding. If you’re Hungarian, it’s considered de rigueur to spend at least some of your summer here. And since this is Europe, a lot of people, especially families, will spend a big chunk of August by the lake.

The southern shore of Balaton tends to be more brash; it’s the Ibiza, if you like, to the northern shore’s Mallorca. There are markets, malls and a lively nightlife scene that goes hand-in-hand with a beach-style holiday. Balaton Sound, which touts itself as Europe’s biggest electronic beach festival, also takes place in a town on the southern shore.

Balaton Sound Music Festival. Picture via Tripadvisor.

Provence of the East

The towns and villages of the north shore offer, overall, a more chill atmosphere. Here the terrain is dominated by forests, hills and valleys, and dotted with numerous vineyards thanks to the volcanic soil.

It’s worth noting that Lake Balaton’s microclimate is Mediterranean. Travelling inland away from the northern shore through the gently rolling hills reveals a whole different side to the lake. It’s like taking a trip through Provence, with cute villages, artisan restaurants, lavender fields and small family-run farms selling organic produce such as honey and cheese.

The towns of the Káli valley in particular, the village abodes of which have been lovingly restored, are a cinematographer’s dream. The artistic vibe of the area is well-utilized by several annual cultural festivals, the most well-known being the annual Valley of the Arts festival.

There’s an old-world, gentry feel to Balatonfüred, the oldest (and possibly prettiest) resort town on the lake. It’s a spa town and popular yachting destination which features several listed buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Balatonfüred. Picture via www.csodalatosbalaton.hu.

Natural wonders

But Balaton is not just about beach life, art, and wine culture. There are so many scenic spots worth visiting: Roman ruins, remnants of monasteries and castles, cave lakes (reminiscent of the Blue Lagoon in Capri) and vast arboretums.

Then there are the surprisingly eerie yet beautiful sights such as huge basalt columns and inselbergs–isolated mountains of rock that jut dramatically out of the ground–formed with the help of extinct volcanoes. The Stone Sea, an area dominated by huge rock formations, is also a feature of this area that encompasses the Balaton Uplands National Park.

Hegyestū. Picture via 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.

Sources & further reading:

https://giggster.com/blog/movie-location-report/

https://m.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=lake%20balaton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Balaton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balatonfüred

Budapest Film Location: Castles in Hungary Part 2

This is part two of our homage to popular period TV series, such as Downtown Abbey, Bridgerton and The Buccaneers, where we highlight one of the many amazing castles and manor-style dwellings of Central Europe.

We wanted to bring you something extra special this week–it’s nearly Christmas, after all! An inspiring location where truly magical things could happen: Brunszvik Castle.

Brunszvik Castle. Photo via www.programturizmus.hu

There is something distinctly English about this place, with its Tudoresque architecture, stunning white walls, towers, and turrets, not to mention the sprawling gardens. This could be Hungary’s answer to Hogwarts. It’s not hard to imagine students honing their magic skills and swishing about the place in black capes.

Arguably, this gothic building is one of the most beautiful castles in Hungary. It’s a place one could imagine seeing a Mr. Darcy-like figure interrupted in his swim by an ingénue looking for love.

Brunszvik Castle is just half an hour from bustling Budapest but light years away in terms of atmosphere. Although on the surface there’s a romanticism befitting Jane Austen, looking more deeply into the history of the castle reveals a tragic love story more like a Brontë sisters novel.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, back when the castle was still owned by the music loving Brunszvik family, Beethoven was a regular visitor. He had been asked to tutor two of the family’s daughters, Josephine and Therese, in the piano. Beethoven composed many of his pieces while staying here, including the Appassionata sonata. His piano and some of his personal correspondence with the Brunszvik family are on show inside the castle’s museum.

It seems Beethoven fell hard for Josephine and there are indications (in the letters) that his feelings were reciprocated. Sadly, the aristocratic family had no wish for Josephine to marry a ‘commoner’. Josephine was instead married off to someone far more acceptable. But she did continue her piano lessons with Beethoven even after she was married with children.

There may have been a second chance for the love birds to finally get together when Josephine’s husband passed away from pneumonia, but she was pressured by her family to cut ties with Beethoven for good. If she had married him, she could have potentially lost custody of her aristocratic children. Crazy times indeed. 

However, Beethoven’s legacy at Brunsvick Castle continues. His music is performed in the garden every summer in a series of concerts.

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.

Sources & further reading:

 https://welovebudapest.com/en/article/2021/06/07/sights-culture-beethoven-s-favourite-getaway-brunszvik-castle-honours-ludwig-s-legacy/

https://turizmus.szekesfehervar.hu/catalog/details/414/lang/en

No Drama in Finding Period Set Locations in Hungary

In a nod to popular period tv series such as Downtown Abbey, Bridgerton and The Buccaneers, we’ve been scouring the region for filming locations to set projects in a similar timeframe. What follows is the first in our series highlighting historic manor-style dwellings of Central Europe; because who doesn’t love a spot of grand-living escapism from the 18th and 19th centuries?

Bánffy Castle, via www.startlap.com

Hungary is home to many beautiful manor-style palaces (kastély as they are locally called). But let’s take a trip just beyond its borders for now and look at the village of Răscruci in Romania, known in Hungary as Válaszút, which was part of the broader Hungarian territory of Transylvania prior to World War One.

It’s here that we find a recently restored gem, the Bánffy country house, built in the baroque style of the 18th century by the Hungarian aristocratic Bánffy family. But this is no country shack. Baron Bánffy Ádám, the son of Baron Bánffy Albert and Eszterházy Ágnes, married Wesselényi Mária in 1870 and moved into the house that same year. It appears that the Baron was a bit of a DIY pioneer, as he himself designed and made the (still intact) wooden furniture of the dining room and a few of the tiled stoves–with the assistance of artisan helpers of the time.

Lavish, original interiors. Via www.startlap.com

Considering how history unfolded in this part of the world, however, it meant that the building fell into a state of disrepair. But thanks to EU and Cluj city council funding, the manor has undergone extensive refurbishment on not only its façade but also its interiors, which took over five years to complete.

István Vákár, the Hungarian VP of the council, described the castle as a "jewel" with its rare, intact wooden interior panelling and ceilings—a rarity in Transylvanian castles where decay often tells a different story.

The manor is located about 25 km from Cluj in Romania and is operated by the city council of Cluj, who hope to create a cultural centre within its walls.  

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.

Sources:

 https://dailynewshungary.com/photos-beautiful-hungarian-castle-renewed/

https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=195263

A Tale of Three Cities: Budapest Turns 150

Exploring film locations in Budapest as the city celebrates 150 years since unification of the three towns of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda.

Majestically straddling either side of the Danube River, Budapest’s backstory gives some insight into why one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities is so diverse in character. Often referred to as Pest-Buda before unification in 1873, Budapest has become a harmonious blend of what once was three distinct towns. This has undoubtedly helped make it the unique and inspiring place it is today.

Heroes’ Square and Andrássy avenue, via www.dailynewshungary.hu

Pest: The Dynamic Urban Stage

Sprawling across the eastern side of the Danube, Pest is often characterized as the modern face of Budapest for its gritty, urban landscapes. But Pest is no stranger to history. Originally founded as a Celtic settlement, Pest was first mentioned in written form way back in 1148. Some think its name may have come from the Slavic word meaning oven or furnace. That’s not confirmed, but the cityscape certainly heats up like one in the summer months.

Confusingly for visitors, the locals tend to say “Pest” whenever they mean the entire city of Budapest. That might be because Pest comprises two-thirds of the city’s territory.

The gothic Hungarian Parliament Building, known as one of the architecturally most impressive parliaments in the world, dominates the Danube’s eastern bank. Other major sights this side of the river include Heroes’ Square and city park as well as the elegant boulevard that runs towards it from downtown, Andrássy Avenue.

The Hungarian Parliament, via www.parliament.hu

Pest's diverse neighborhoods, such as the lively Jewish Quarter with its plethora of backstreets, gyros joints, ruin bars and vibrant night life, offer a dynamic and modern backdrop for filmmakers seeking an urban edge.

Buda: An Epic Historical Set

Buda, nestled on the western banks of the river, was the historical capital of the Kingdom of Hungary. Chronicles from the Middle Ages claim that the name ‘Buda’ originally came from a man called Bleda. We don’t hear about him much as he was killed by his brother, Attila the Hun, who then threw his corpse in the Danube.  

Despite that bloody start, Buda is regarded as Pest’s calmer sibling. Blessed with gently rolling hills and dotted with forests, Buda is often favoured by families and the well-heeled. Certainly there’s more room to roam with less of the frenetic energy of Pest. This has given rise to a friendly rivalry, with some die-hard Pest residents finding it difficult to forgive anyone who dares cross the river to live in Buda.  

Fisherman’s Bastion, via www.budapestinfo. Photo: Bódis Krisztián

Buda is also a cinematic journey through time. Narrow, cobblestone streets wind their way through medieval architecture leading to the Buda Castle, perched above the Danube on the western side. The castle and surrounding district (a UNESCO World Heritage site) are a living museum perfect for period pieces.

Remnants of Ottoman rule also remain, such as the Rudas Baths. Turkish hammam culture has endured for 450 years; if you’ve ever spent a lazy Sunday afternoon hopping from one hot thermal bath to the next, it’s not hard to see why. 

The Rudas Baths via www.rudasfurdo.hu

Óbuda: A Cinematic Time Capsule

Moving even further back in time we come to the oldest sibling of the trio, Óbuda. Evidence of settlements dating back to the Stone Age have been found in the area and the Romans established the capital of Pannonia here, Aquincum. The remains of one of their amphitheatres can still be visited.

The place was also a significant settlement for Hungarian tribal leaders after the year 900. The Kiscelli Museum, a Baroque monastery built in the mid 18th century, is another superb location for period projects.

The Kiscelli Museum, via Wikipedia

But it’s not just the historical significance of bygone eras that characterises Óbuda. Sziget, the music festival held here on a large island in the Danube, is touted as Europe’s answer to Burning Man in the US. The event attracts over half a million visitors annually, with headline acts like Billie Eilish, FooFighters, David Guetta and Lorde.

Sziget music festival, via www.hungarytoday.hu.

Like all great protagonists, Budapest's history is complex, troubled, and at times traumatic. It’s a history that has left deep marks on this city not only in terms of architecture, but also in less tangible ways, like atmosphere and energy. As this vibrant capital celebrates its 150th birthday, we raise a  glass in celebration and hope that the lights, camera, and action continue to shine brightly on this enchanting grand dame of Central Europe.

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.

Sources & further reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest,_Hungary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Óbuda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sziget_Festival

Film Production Set to Boom in Hungary Post-SAG-AFTRA strike.

Putting a lengthy 118-day standoff with AFTRA behind them, SAG (the Screen Actors’ Guild) reached an agreement late last week. The welcome news comes less than a month after members of the Writers’ Guild of America similarly ratified their own deal and draws the curtain on a staggering seven months of industrial action that has affected the industry across the globe.

With the board passing its approval last Friday, the 160,000-strong actors' guild will now also cast their votes on the agreement. But with the strike halted, a swift return to work and resumption of production is expected.

The collective sigh of relief this brings worldwide to a beleaguered entertainment community is apparent. According to Deadline, the strike resulted in 45,000 job losses and an estimated loss of $6.5 billion to the economy–and that’s only the numbers for Southern California.

 It’s no surprise that the ripple effects of the strike was also felt in Hungary, a country that has established itself as a leader in servicing international film and tv productions.

Via Wikipedia

Hungary: Europe’s second largest production hub after the U.K.

Crews in Hungary fared somewhat better than their American counterparts in the thick of strike action. As Christopher Vourlias of Variety reported at the beginning of November, high-profile productions such as Pablo Larrain's "Maria" and A24's "Death of a Unicorn" set up in Budapest, taking advantage not just of the city’s diverse locations and Hungary’s competitive rebate scheme, but also SAG-AFTRA waivers.

Back in September, when the writers’ strike was resolved, there was cautious optimism that things would soon be returning to business as usual.

Production services for the film “Poor Things”, shot in Budapest and currently generating much Oscar buzz, was provided by local outfit Pioneer Stillking Films. Managing director Ildikó Kemény noted at the time, “We have been lucky because we haven’t really stopped. We are constantly budgeting, presenting location and studio possibilities for U.K. and American projects now that the SAG strike’s end is in sight.”

The producer of the film, Ed Guiney praised Budapest for its large soundstages, skilled crews, competitive costs, and a 30% cash rebate to boot. He further noted that these factors played a big part in enabling bold creative choices that wouldn’t have been possible in a costlier location.

Incidentally, Flatpack Films had the pleasure of working with the celebrated director of “Poor Things”, Yorgos Lanthimos, when he was an up-and-coming commercial director some ten years ago.

Hungarian Film Commissioner Csaba Kael, in an interview with Variety, underscored Hungary’s movie traditions and its film cultural “DNA”. Cultivated over 123 years, it’s led to the development of highly committed and skilled crews as well as shooting facilities and infrastructure that is continuously being improved and expanded upon.

This, together with Hungary’s visual versatility and the openness of local government in collaborating with film and television productions, could elevate the country’s position even further in servicing global film productions.

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.  

Sources & further reading:

https://variety.com/2023/film/focus/hungary-production-budapest-poor-things-1235763265/

https://variety.com/2023/film/news/hungary-cinema-film-commissioner-poor-things-1235778621/

https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-deal-d5f9769fd8a263170141a60da64cdc98

https://deadline.com/2023/10/actors-strike-talks-friday-optimism-1235584425/

Budapest’s Matild Palace: A UNESCO-listed Gem Restored to its Former Glory.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there’s so much to admire architecturally speaking in Budapest. This is one of the key reasons the city has become a hub of international film and television productions looking to shoot various locales and epochs in Europe.

The Matild Palace. Photo from The Marriott.

Budapest is home to so many drop-dead gorgeous buildings; its always a treat to see the ones discoloured with layers of grime from years of neglect tenderly restored.

 That was the story for one such treasure, The Matild Palace. A neo-baroque building of yesteryear, it had been ravaged by turbulent times. Yet, it stood tall for over 120 years, gracefully welcoming travelers crossing the Danube from Buda to Pest. The building’s fortunes changed, however, when it emerged in 2021 from a five-year transformation to become the Marriott-branded Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel.

Built in 1902 during the peak of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the palace embodied a time of economic posterity, playing host to Europe's elite in its golden years.

 The story begins with Archduchess Mary Klotild, who envisioned a touch of Belle Époque culture in Hungary. She commissioned the Matild and its sister building, Klotild Palace, to frame the Pest-side entrance of Elisabeth Bridge. The Matild held private apartments and a bustling café.

Photo from Matild Café.

 In the early 1900s, the palace sparkled with intricate Zsolnay ceramics and breathtaking stained glass by Miksa Róth. It even boasted Budapest's first elevator.

 From glittering royals to dazzling celebrities, the Matild Palace was the place to see and be seen. Its coffee house was the heartbeat of Hungary's café culture, where the who's who of the era gathered to connect and exchange ideas. One of Hungary’s renowned writers, Gyula Krudy, was a regular here.

Photo from The Marriott.

But as history's tides turned, the palace weathered wars, a revolution, and a decline under communist rule.

 Nevertheless, the Matild Palace's café remained a cultural haven, even under the strict control of its state-controlled era, a testament to the resilience of both structure and spirit. It earned UNESCO protection in 1977.

 Through various transformations, from Lidó to disco and casino, the Matild Palace has evolved with the times. In 2017, a monumental $80 million renovation breathed new life into this historic gem, meticulously preserving its grandeur.

 Today, the Matild Palace proudly showcases its original Belle Époque elegance. Guest rooms pay homage to Hungarian craftsmanship, featuring unique headboards and fishbone-design parquet floors. The pièce de résistance? The Maria Klotild Royal Suite, a homage to the archduchess herself, adorned with crystal chandeliers and bespoke furnishings.

In this time-traveling masterpiece, Matild Palace beckons travelers, locals, history buffs­–and film crews–to experience the magic of old world Budapest.

 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.

Sources & further reading:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/matild-palace-budapest/index.html

https://welovebudapest.com/en/article/2021/7/9/sights-culture-the-matild-palace-now-shines-in-her-original-splendour

https://fromhungarywithlove.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/klotild-twin-palaces/

Budapest's Brutalist Marvels: Where Concrete Meets Culture

We’ve looked at how current productions filming in Hungary are shooting Budapest to depict Paris of the early to mid-twentieth century. But Hungary is a country with a complex personality, reflected in its eclectic architectural style. As such, it has a wide range of locales and moods in its repertoire.

 Everyone has their gritty side; the one where life’s challenges have left marks on the psyche. To get deeper into the character of Hungary and its capital Budapest, we have to go beyond the charming façade; the old-world milieu of neo-Renaissance and opulent baroque styles into perhaps what could be termed its polar opposite: Brutalism.

Picture this: colossal blocks of concrete reaching for the sky, surrounded by shades of grey. It’s a place where you have to move fast, or risk being immortalized in a sea of cement.

Salgótarján, Hungary

Salgótarján, Hungary

What is architecture–especially to a layperson such as me–but a snapshot of genre; a mise-en-scene where storytelling takes off?

Brutalist architecture, commonly featuring unpainted concrete or brick and angular shapes, is characterised by highly minimalist design that eschews anything ornate or decorative. One would assume it’s a style born of totalitarianism; t’s a vibe that quite obviously rejects bourgeois frivolity in favour of a no-nonsense message of “equality for all”.

It’s therefore not surprising that Brutalism quickly proliferated throughout the Soviet satellite states of Eastern Europe in the cold war era and particularly utilized in institutional buildings. But the architecture itself was pioneered in the UK by architects Alison and Peter Smithson after the 1950s.

With its clean lines and austere facades, there are many examples of the style to be admired in Budapest in structures such as The Budapest Hotel or the Széll Kálmán square metro stop.

One of the more famous examples of Brutalism in London is the National Theatre, which King Charles once described as looking like “a nuclear power station”.

The National Theatre, London. Photo via www.designingbuildings.co.uk

Sure, the style has its detractors who term it “cold” or “soulless” and are calling for it to be eradicated from skylines. But doesn’t it deserve to retain its place in our cities as a stark reminder of our common history?

Let’s celebrate Brutalism, along with the inevitable graffiti that adorns it, with a final word from Gianluigi Ricuperati, editor in chief of @novaexpress_mag:

“Brutalism was the blue pill of urban planning for communities and town councils across five continents. It allowed municipalities to build social housing and public buildings with a limited budget and a cultural blessing. The godfather of all architects, Le Corbusier, explicitly highlighted the beauty of “brutal matter,” and in general terms, colors and shapes that look great on a concrete background.”

Council Estate in Újpest.

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.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/National_Theatre

https://www.ssense.com/ko-kr/editorial/culture/a-10-building-guide-to-brutalist-architecture