Hungary’s Film Industry Sees Opportunity in Post-Orbán Era

The dust has finally settled on Viktor Orbán’s 16-year reign of authoritarian rule in Hungary, and the film industry is among those breathing a collective sigh of relief. The election-day shocker that saw Orbán’s landslide defeat sent waves of jubilation through the Hungarian film community, with many hailing it as a new dawn for the country’s cinematic ambitions.

Orbán’s government stifled creativity and innovation in Hungary’s film industry, prioritizing cronyism over talent and ideological purity over commercial viability. The result was a stagnation of ideas, with filmmakers opting for safer projects that catered to the regime’s tastes rather than pushing artistic expression.

Now, with Orbán gone and a new administration in place, Hungarian film professionals sense an opportunity to reboot their industry and reclaim its former glory. Adam Goodman, managing partner of Mid Atlantic Films, notes, “The first order of business will be to provide stability to the incentive program that will give our clients confidence to keep investing.”

Hungary’s film industry can benefit from a post-Orbán administration in its relationships with foreign producers. Historically, Hungarian filmmakers have struggled to break into international markets due to their country’s limited global reach. However, with the right incentives and support, there’s no reason why Hungarian films can’t become more competitive on the world stage.

Istvan Szabó’s “Embers” is a prime example of this shift in Hungary’s cinematic landscape – one that prioritizes storytelling over ideology. The period drama features Ralph Fiennes, Viggo Mortensen, and Charlotte Rampling among its star-studded cast, adapting Hungarian author Sándor Márai’s celebrated novel.

While the election of Péter Magyar as Prime Minister has brought hope to many in the industry, rebuilding an industry ravaged by 16 years of authoritarian rule won’t be easy. As producer Robert Lantos notes, “We won’t be able to make up for the last 16 years overnight.”

Hungarian filmmakers must remain patient and focused on their goals, rebuilding trust with foreign producers, investing in emerging talent, and creating content that resonates with global audiences without sacrificing artistic vision or compromising values.

The industry’s resilience and determination make this task manageable. The new leadership has been supportive of the industry during its campaigning, with Magyar promising reforms to “restore predictability and international competitiveness” to the Hungarian film industry.

It’s essential to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who fought against Orbán’s regime. Many young filmmakers have lacked opportunities for years, forced to navigate a system rigged in favor of the powerful and well-connected.

However, with Magyar at the helm, there’s reason to believe that these injustices will be addressed. The incoming administration has promised reforms aimed at restoring predictability and competitiveness to the Hungarian film industry – a welcome change from the chaos and uncertainty of the Orbán era.

As production outfit Proton Cinema’s Viktoria Petrányi notes, “It’s now the industry’s responsibility to rebuild and reestablish some values that we lost.” And so, as Hungarian filmmakers begin this new chapter, they must remain vigilant, committed to their craft and dedicated to creating a film industry that truly reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage.

The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Hungary’s film industry has been given a second chance. It’s up to its leaders to seize it, to create an industry that’s not only world-class but also true to its artistic vision and values.