When it comes to the wild success of the film industry in Hungary, which is the largest production hub in continental Europe and second in Europe only to the U.K., film commissioner Csaba Káel is quick to credit a rich cinematic legacy dating back more than 100 years. “There is a huge tradition,” he said. “We have a special film DNA in Hungary.”
The industry’s ongoing success, however, as well as its hopes for the future, is just as reliant on sound policy and investment from the country’s National Film Institute, along with a deep pool of world-class talent that is the envy of industries twice its size.
Those were among the takeaways of a panel during the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film that included Káel, Hungarian producer Ildikó Kemény (“Poor Things”), Hungarian-born and Canadian-based producer Robert Lantos (“Crimes of the Future”), and the U.K.
The industry’s ongoing success, however, as well as its hopes for the future, is just as reliant on sound policy and investment from the country’s National Film Institute, along with a deep pool of world-class talent that is the envy of industries twice its size.
Those were among the takeaways of a panel during the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film that included Káel, Hungarian producer Ildikó Kemény (“Poor Things”), Hungarian-born and Canadian-based producer Robert Lantos (“Crimes of the Future”), and the U.K.
- 5/22/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Filming in Hungary offers everything from a massive amount of production space and a 20-year strong tax rebate to eight symphony orchestras and thermal baths.
On a panel during the Cannes Film Festival at the Marche du Film, film commissioner Csaba Kael, as well as producers Ildikó Kemeny, Robert Lantos and Mike Goodridge, spoke about the experiences of filming in Hungary.
Kael noted that commercial film production began in the country in the early 1900s. “It is built into our DNA,” he said of filmmaking. Only the U.K. has more film production than Hungary, Kael added. This year, Hungary is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its tax rebate program, which offers films produced in Hungary a 30 percent rebate based on their expenditure.
Lantos, who has been filming in the country since the 1990s prior to the tax credits, said, “Whenever I have a project that needs a European-looking city,...
On a panel during the Cannes Film Festival at the Marche du Film, film commissioner Csaba Kael, as well as producers Ildikó Kemeny, Robert Lantos and Mike Goodridge, spoke about the experiences of filming in Hungary.
Kael noted that commercial film production began in the country in the early 1900s. “It is built into our DNA,” he said of filmmaking. Only the U.K. has more film production than Hungary, Kael added. This year, Hungary is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its tax rebate program, which offers films produced in Hungary a 30 percent rebate based on their expenditure.
Lantos, who has been filming in the country since the 1990s prior to the tax credits, said, “Whenever I have a project that needs a European-looking city,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A French adaptation of Beta Film’s International Emmy-winning Turkish thriller series Persona is in the works with a female protagonist.
Mémoire Vive is starring Six Women’s Clémentine Célarié as Esther Lefevre, the reinterpreted female lead from the Turkish series, which has been greenlit for a second run. The French version is being produced by Calt Studio for M6.
The Turkish original stars International Emmy-winner Haluk Bilginer as the antihero Agâh. In the second season, Agâh, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, regains his memories piece by piece when his daughter takes him into her care. And while Agâh is looking for a way to handle his new-found freedom, he doesn’t realize yet that he has made some powerful enemies who yearn for revenge.
Both Persona and Mémoire Vive are entering production during this half of 2024, with the former filming 22 episodes and the latter four.
Beta is handling...
Mémoire Vive is starring Six Women’s Clémentine Célarié as Esther Lefevre, the reinterpreted female lead from the Turkish series, which has been greenlit for a second run. The French version is being produced by Calt Studio for M6.
The Turkish original stars International Emmy-winner Haluk Bilginer as the antihero Agâh. In the second season, Agâh, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, regains his memories piece by piece when his daughter takes him into her care. And while Agâh is looking for a way to handle his new-found freedom, he doesn’t realize yet that he has made some powerful enemies who yearn for revenge.
Both Persona and Mémoire Vive are entering production during this half of 2024, with the former filming 22 episodes and the latter four.
Beta is handling...
- 4/8/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Beta Film’s Crown-esque high-end drama series Maxima has sold to networks in Lat Am, Israel and across Europe.
The series, which is one of the German major’s biggest being shopped at the London TV Screenings, will air on Hot in Israel and on Warner Bros. Discovery networks across Latin America following the deals. Other buyers include Croatia’s Hrt, Austria’s Orf and broadcasters in Latvia and Slovakia.
Millstreet Films’ Maxima tells the story of Dutch queen Máxima Zorreguieta and is one of the few shows about a living royal out there. Dropping on The Netherlands’ Videoland from April 20, it takes up the story the moment the Argentina-born queen appears at the Dutch crown prince’s side. Heated discussions subsequently erupt about her father’s political career in the Argentinian Videla regime – something she never faced in her own circles.
Máxima is portrayed by Argentinian rising star...
The series, which is one of the German major’s biggest being shopped at the London TV Screenings, will air on Hot in Israel and on Warner Bros. Discovery networks across Latin America following the deals. Other buyers include Croatia’s Hrt, Austria’s Orf and broadcasters in Latvia and Slovakia.
Millstreet Films’ Maxima tells the story of Dutch queen Máxima Zorreguieta and is one of the few shows about a living royal out there. Dropping on The Netherlands’ Videoland from April 20, it takes up the story the moment the Argentina-born queen appears at the Dutch crown prince’s side. Heated discussions subsequently erupt about her father’s political career in the Argentinian Videla regime – something she never faced in her own circles.
Máxima is portrayed by Argentinian rising star...
- 2/29/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Beta Film has has sold a slew of dramas to Australia’s Sbs including big-budget TIFF entry Estonia as part of the pair’s multi-year license deal.
Several of the German-headquartered major’s dramas will head to the Sbs On Demand platform as the multi-year deal enters its second year.
Included in the partnership is Estonia, one of Scandinavia’s most expensive TV series of all time that launched at TIFF. Speaking to Deadline recently, the creatives behind the show opened up about the ethical issues surrounding a series spotlighting a tragedy that claimed the lives of 850 people.
Sbs has also picked up the third season of Rtl’s Sisi, which stars Dominique Devenport as the Bavarian tomboy turned Empress, along with crime thriller Pagan Peak. Sbs also relicensed the first seasons each of these dramas.
Sbs has also bought Alpine thriller Snow, YA drama Saving the Fucking Planet and I Am Scrooge.
Several of the German-headquartered major’s dramas will head to the Sbs On Demand platform as the multi-year deal enters its second year.
Included in the partnership is Estonia, one of Scandinavia’s most expensive TV series of all time that launched at TIFF. Speaking to Deadline recently, the creatives behind the show opened up about the ethical issues surrounding a series spotlighting a tragedy that claimed the lives of 850 people.
Sbs has also picked up the third season of Rtl’s Sisi, which stars Dominique Devenport as the Bavarian tomboy turned Empress, along with crime thriller Pagan Peak. Sbs also relicensed the first seasons each of these dramas.
Sbs has also bought Alpine thriller Snow, YA drama Saving the Fucking Planet and I Am Scrooge.
- 2/28/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Beta Film, the powerhouse behind hits like ‘Babylon Berlin,’ has just given us a sneak peek at their latest project, ‘Rise of the Raven.’ Thanks to Variety, we got our hands on an exclusive first-look image of this 10-part series. They’re calling it one of the grandest European TV productions ever, and that’s saying something.
The story is a labor of love for Robert Lantos, a producer with roots in Hungary and Canada. You might know him from big titles like ‘Eastern Promises’ and ‘Barney’s Version.’ ‘Rise of the Raven’ is his latest passion project, and it’s shaping up to be something special.
This series dives into the life of Janos Hunyadi, a Hungarian army commander. With the actor Gellért L. Kádár bringing Hunyadi to life, we’re taken back to 1456. That’s when Hunyadi pulled off an incredible win at the Battle of Belgrade against a much larger Ottoman army.
The story is a labor of love for Robert Lantos, a producer with roots in Hungary and Canada. You might know him from big titles like ‘Eastern Promises’ and ‘Barney’s Version.’ ‘Rise of the Raven’ is his latest passion project, and it’s shaping up to be something special.
This series dives into the life of Janos Hunyadi, a Hungarian army commander. With the actor Gellért L. Kádár bringing Hunyadi to life, we’re taken back to 1456. That’s when Hunyadi pulled off an incredible win at the Battle of Belgrade against a much larger Ottoman army.
- 2/27/2024
- by Hrvoje Milakovic
- Fiction Horizon
European giant Beta Film, known for ambitious titles such as “Babylon Berlin” and “The Swarm,” has shared with Variety in exclusivity a first-look picture of 1o-part series “Rise of the Raven,” which it hails as “one of the most epic European TV productions of all time.”
“Rise of the Raven” weighs in as a passion project of Hungarian-born and Canada-based producer Robert Lantos, behind “Sunshine,” “The Sweet Hereafter,” “Barney’s Version,” “Eastern Promises” and “Crimes of the Future.”
A highlight at Beta Film’s showcase this Tuesday at the London TV Screenings, “Rise of the Raven” turns on the extraordinary feat of Hungarian army commander Janos Hunyadi, played by discovery Gellért L. Kádár, who in 1456 won a bloody, brutal Battle of Belgrade against a vast Ottoman force twice the size of his troops who were often farm labourers armed with just slings and patriotic fervor.
Hunyadi largely halted a full Ottoman...
“Rise of the Raven” weighs in as a passion project of Hungarian-born and Canada-based producer Robert Lantos, behind “Sunshine,” “The Sweet Hereafter,” “Barney’s Version,” “Eastern Promises” and “Crimes of the Future.”
A highlight at Beta Film’s showcase this Tuesday at the London TV Screenings, “Rise of the Raven” turns on the extraordinary feat of Hungarian army commander Janos Hunyadi, played by discovery Gellért L. Kádár, who in 1456 won a bloody, brutal Battle of Belgrade against a vast Ottoman force twice the size of his troops who were often farm labourers armed with just slings and patriotic fervor.
Hunyadi largely halted a full Ottoman...
- 2/27/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Enough with the winter gloom: Feel-good shows are about to take over TV market London Screenings, as distributors echo Russell Crowe’s Maximus iconic words: “Are you not entertained?”
“Most platforms are looking for entertaining shows. Escapism is a big thing,” says Fremantle International CEO Jens Richter.
“You want to take the audience somewhere else and make sure they forget about their reality for a minute. ‘We want to entertain you.’ That’s the headline, basically.”
Beta Group’s chief distribution officer Oliver Bachert agrees – in a world challenged by many conflicts, watching something “accessible and easy” feels more appealing than ever.
“We see things that are maybe not that ambitious, but they work as entertainment. A bit of blue sky helps us deal with everyday news. Even up north, Nordic Noir just got lighter.”
Crime and thrillers are still “major export genres,” notices Rachel Glaister of All3Media International, but...
“Most platforms are looking for entertaining shows. Escapism is a big thing,” says Fremantle International CEO Jens Richter.
“You want to take the audience somewhere else and make sure they forget about their reality for a minute. ‘We want to entertain you.’ That’s the headline, basically.”
Beta Group’s chief distribution officer Oliver Bachert agrees – in a world challenged by many conflicts, watching something “accessible and easy” feels more appealing than ever.
“We see things that are maybe not that ambitious, but they work as entertainment. A bit of blue sky helps us deal with everyday news. Even up north, Nordic Noir just got lighter.”
Crime and thrillers are still “major export genres,” notices Rachel Glaister of All3Media International, but...
- 2/27/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
With the resolution of the Hollywood writers strike in September, hopes were high for a return to business as usual in bustling Budapest, host to such recent high-profile productions as Yorgos Lanthimos’ Venice sensation and Oscar frontrunner “Poor Things.” But the sudden breakdown in negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP in early October dampened that enthusiasm.
“We were starting to get momentum back, which was leading us to believe that we would be opening up offices on new shows in early November, on the assumption that the strike would be over by the end of October,” says Adam Goodman of Mid Atlantic Films, which is currently servicing Peacock and Sky’s spy series “The Day of the Jackal.”
Instead, a waiting game is playing out in studios and C-suites across the globe, as actors, talent reps, executives and other industry players not only try to hash out a blueprint for...
“We were starting to get momentum back, which was leading us to believe that we would be opening up offices on new shows in early November, on the assumption that the strike would be over by the end of October,” says Adam Goodman of Mid Atlantic Films, which is currently servicing Peacock and Sky’s spy series “The Day of the Jackal.”
Instead, a waiting game is playing out in studios and C-suites across the globe, as actors, talent reps, executives and other industry players not only try to hash out a blueprint for...
- 11/2/2023
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Doelger’s The Swarm has sold to the UK and Spain, while a U.S. partner is in the final stages of talks.
As Mip TV kicks off, the German eco-thriller, which already has around a dozen partners, has sold to Sky in the UK and Movistar Plus+ in Spain.
Distributors Beta Film and Zdf Studios are shopping in Cannes and the show played out of competition at the Berlinale Series Market, where its modern themes and bevvy of buyers dominated conversation.
Having scored “phenomenal ratings,” according to Beta, for Germany’s Zdf and Austria’s Orf, the show from Game of Thrones EP Doelger chronicles the struggle of humankind against an unknown enemy that lives in the depths of the sea. When the reckless treatment of the oceans threatens the natural habitat of this mysterious collective, it strikes back.
The Swarm, which is being referred to as one...
As Mip TV kicks off, the German eco-thriller, which already has around a dozen partners, has sold to Sky in the UK and Movistar Plus+ in Spain.
Distributors Beta Film and Zdf Studios are shopping in Cannes and the show played out of competition at the Berlinale Series Market, where its modern themes and bevvy of buyers dominated conversation.
Having scored “phenomenal ratings,” according to Beta, for Germany’s Zdf and Austria’s Orf, the show from Game of Thrones EP Doelger chronicles the struggle of humankind against an unknown enemy that lives in the depths of the sea. When the reckless treatment of the oceans threatens the natural habitat of this mysterious collective, it strikes back.
The Swarm, which is being referred to as one...
- 4/17/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
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