Film-Making Is Storytelling
There is always room for talents
Despite new technology such as multimedia and CD-rom changing the world of film, György Karpati, a teacher in the Academy, looks confidently into the future."The story of the film is more important than the form", he says. There is always room for talented film-makers, however.
And what the Budapest Academy's history certainly doesn't lack is talents. The best known offsprings of the school are Lajos Koltay, Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond. Zsigmond was awarded a prize for his camerawork in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977.
This year's best-known director is Istvan Szabo. His awarded work for diploma is a good example of how to take first steps towards fame. Another remarkable name is Marcell Ivanyi, whose film The Wind won a prize in the International Competition in Tampere last year.
The fascinating and terrifying Hollywood
The students in the Academy are critical about Hollywood films. This is a paradox in the film industry. Hollywood films are often disliked but still that is the place where people want to go. Karpati would like to introduce other values to his students."You don't need a big budget or enormous set designs. The story in the film is much more important." Karpati thinks that best ideas come from simple human things which touch everyday life. It is easier to make the audience laugh than to make it cry.
Karpati has had a lasting friendship with Finland. The first time he occupied a seat in the jury was 28 years ago. He's also a regular visitor of the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland year after year.
Translation: Piia Holopainen