Hungarian World Classics
The history of Hungarian cinema could be written in parallel terms, as a history both in and outside of Hungary, since those who were forced to emigrate also contributed to universal film history by making peerless films. There were genuine Hungarian artists conquering Paris, Berlin, London and Hollywood as directors, screenwriters, actors, photographers and composers, many of them Oscar-winning world stars. Some of their films are presented in this unit – though without the slightest claim on completeness. The selection features a British masterpiece by a writer and director born in Miskolc (The Red Shoes); a bold comedy by a writer born in Balmazújváros that would even inspire Quentin Tarantino (To Be or Not to Be); a Cold War comedy based on the one-act play by a Budapest-born dramatist and directed by the Austrian Billy Wilder, who would win seven Oscars (One, Two, Three); the widescreen masterpiece of a marvellous Hungarian photographer born 90 years ago, starring and directed by Jacques Tati (Playtime); and the tough war film of an extraordinary film director born in Makó, starring young Michael Caine (Play Dirty). Further information is provided at the screenings of the films as well as during the presentations given before.
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