FIRST LOOK AT RALPH FIENNES AND VIGGO MORTENSEN IN ISTVAN SZABO'S EMBERS PERIOD SET MOVIE WITH LOUIS HOFMANN, CHARLOTTE RAMPLING AND KATHERINE LANGFORD

    1ST EMBERS IMAGES   

WITH RALPH FIENNES AND VIGGO MORTENSEN

Oscar winning Hungarian director Istvan Szabo has released first images with Ralph Fiennes and Viggo Mortensen in his new movie EMBERS which also includes Charlotte Rampling, our dear Louis Hofmann, Gijs Blom and Katherine Langford whom you can also see in another image. Based on Sandor Marai's novel the film is a psychological duel which reconnects once inseparable friends, Henrik (Fiennes) and Konrad (Mortensen), decades after Konrad’s mysterious disappearance and uncovers over the course of one evening the secret that tore them apart and the woman at the center of it. The film is now in production.

OFFICIAL TRAILER AND CHARACTER POSTERS FOR ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST EPIC SERIES EVER RISE OF THE RAVEN DEPICTING THE 15TH CENTURY BATTLE OF BELGRADE

  RISE OF THE RAVEN 

OFFICIAL EPIC SERIES TRAILER IS HERE!

The series will be offered to broadcasters next week

Beta has announced that one of  the most epic European productions of all times, historical series RISE OF TH RAVEN will have its world premiere October 22nd at this year's Mipcom in Cannes, which is just in two days, and to celebrate it they have released a long trailer too and a series of character posters! The series will air next year. So far, we know it will air on TV2 in Hungary and Slovenia and ORF in Austria. I will inform you as soon as we hear news of other international broadcasters or a possible big streamer. In the meantime you can check out the new trailer below the post and tell us what you think.

 

THIS TEN PART SERIES EPIC TV SERIES

 depicts the extraordinary real-life feat of Hungarian army commander Janos Hunyadi (Gellért L. Kádár), who turned back the tide of the Ottoman Empire’s seemingly unstoppable advance into Europe when back in 1456 he won a bloody Battle of Belgrade against a vast Ottoman force twice the size of his troops who were sometimes armed with just slings and patriotic fervor. To this very day church bells ring every day at noon in honour of this victory. Franciska Törőcsik plays his first love Mara, Serbian princess, who had to marry Ottoman Sultan Murad (Murathan Muslu) in order to protect her people.

 

WHO IS IN THE CAST?

Alongside Hunyadi, played by Gellért L. Kádár stands his wife, Elizabeth Szilagyi, portrayed by Vivien Rujder. They are joined by a stellar international cast, including Austria’s Laurence Rupp as King Albert II,  Murathan Muslu, as sultan Murad II, Serbian Hollywood star Rade Serbedzija who plays Serbian despot Djuradj Brankovic, Mara's father, and Giancarlo Giannini. The series is based on a series of books by Ban Mor. Judging by the trailer the series will have a lot of historical inaccuracies, including Despina Mara dressed as an exotic sex slave in sultan's harem. In real history, she wasn't his concubine, but his official wife and sultana and remained true to her faith till death. She dressed in Serbian chaste clothes surrounded by an entourage of Orthodox monks and nuns and later on became one of the most respected noble women in Europe with her own court in Jezhevo. 

VISIT 19TH CENTURY VIENNA IN SEMMELWEIS HISTORICAL BIOPIC WHICH WILL REPRESENT HUNGARY IN OSCAR RACE NEXT YEAR

  SEMMELWEIS TRAILER  

FOR HUNGARY'S CANDIDATE IN OSCAR RACE

The film is on Netflix in some countries

The Oscar season is slowly beginning, countries have started choosing films that will be their candidates in the best foreign movie category, and Hungary has chosen SEMMELWEIS period set drama which will be the second time that Lajos Koltai represents his country. 

 

WHAT IS THE STORY?

This historical biopic centres around a famous Hungarian doctor Ignac Semmelweis (Miklós H. Vecsei) who introduced antiseptic procedures at a Vienna maternity clinic. In 1847 a mysterious epidemic is raging in a maternity clinic in Vienna, while the doctor Ignác Semmelweis tries to defeat puerperal fever by going against all traditional theories. After playing in Hungarian cinemas earlier this year it became their most watched movie in last five years. The film is available for streaming on Netflix in some countries, methinks. 

 

SEE WILDLY STUNNING TRAILER FOR ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST EPIC SERIES EVER RISE OF THE RAVEN DEPICTING THE 15TH CENTURY BATTLE OF BELGRADE

  RISE OF THE RAVEN 

FIRST WILDLY EPIC TRAILER IS HERE!

Beta has announced that one of  the most epic European productions of all times, historical series RISE OF TH RAVEN will have its world premiere October 22nd at this year's Mipcom in Cannes and they have released a wildly gorgeous trailer to celebrate it! The series will air next year.

THIS TEN PART SERIES EPIC TV SERIES

 depicts the extraordinary real-life feat of Hungarian army commander Janos Hunyadi (Gellért L. Kádár), who turned back the tide of the Ottoman Empire’s seemingly unstoppable advance into Europe when back in 1456 he won a bloody Battle of Belgrade against a vast Ottoman force twice the size of his troops who were sometimes armed with just slings and patriotic fervor. To this very day church bells ring every day at noon in honour of this victory. Franciska Törőcsik plays his first love Mara, Serbian princess, who had to marry Ottoman Sultan Murad (Murathan Muslu) in order to protect her people.

 

SEE FIRST POSTER FOR EXPENSIVE HISTORICAL SERIES RISE OF THE RAVEN DEPICTING THE 15TH CENTURY BATTLE OF BELGRADE

   RISE OF THE RAVEN  

FIRST EPIC TV SERIES POSTER IS HERE

Beta Film has issued the first poster for their new ten part series RISE OF THE RAVEN an epic adventure series that will air in Autumn 2024 on Hungarian

Rise of the Raven will arrive this Autumn

TV2 network, Austrian ORF and other national broadcasters around Europe.

 

STORY IS SET

 in 15th century Europe, when army commander Janos Hunyadi scores a decisive victory against all odds at the Battle of Belgrade, re-shaping the history of Europe. Hunyadi’s life is plagued by scandal, political power plays, and conspiracies between noble families from Italy, Poland, Austria, Serbia, and Hungary. His strongest allies are the women in his life: Elizabeth, the wife who not only stands by him, but fights alongside him, and Serbian princess Mara Brankovic, his first love, who was forced to become Sultan Murad wife. When the Ottoman Empire mobilises an army of unprecedented size to march west with the objective of conquering the Vatican and Europe, Hunyadi leads his small but mighty army to the battlefield, sealing a hard-fought victory. In celebration, Pope Callixtus III orders that churches all over the world shall ring their bells each day at noon. And even today, more than five centuries later, they still do.

 

 WHO IS IN THE CAST?

Alongside Hunyadi, played by Gellért L. Kádár stands his wife, Elizabeth Szilagyi, portrayed by Vivien Rujder. They are joined by a stellar international cast, including Austria’s Laurence Rupp as King Albert II,  Murathan Muslu, as sultan Murad II, Serbian Hollywood star Rade Serbedzija who, I imagine, plays Serbian despot Djuradj Brankovic, Mara's father, and Giancarlo Giannini. Meanwhile, Franciska Torocsik is Serbian princess Mara, later the Turkish sultana.

🎬🇭🇺Watch the first trailer for 'Rise of the Raven' - an epic #Hungarian drama series which tells the story of János Hunyadi who defeated the Ottoman army in 1456 at the Battle of Belgrade, halting its march across Europe.

Can't wait for the series to air! pic.twitter.com/t1CjNIEt4Z

— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) April 23, 2023

A GUIDE THROUGH EUROPEAN 2024 HISTORICAL AND EPIC SERIES: FROM SPAIN, RUSSIA, FRANCE, HUNGARY, ITALY AND GERMANY

 EURO 2024 EPIC DRAMAS 

BEGUINAS FROM SPAIN

Coming from Spain this historical series follows Lucía de Avellaneda as she celebrates her engagement party with the Marquis of Peñarrosa, but her fiancée receives a letter from a woman claiming to be her mother requesting her to come to her deathbed. Our dear Yon Gonzales plays the lead male role in this 16th century set series done for Atresplayer.

  FRENCH DANGEROUS FRIENDSHIP

Based on a book from Juliette Benzoni this French series will follow a lively duchess (Kelly Depault) who befriends the shy queen of France (Stephanie Gil). The duchess aims to reunite the queen with the aloof King Louis XIII (Jeremy Gillet) by injecting merriment into the staid royal atmosphere, causing controversy at court. The four part series sees Stanley Weber playing her husband duke of Chevreuse!

 

HUNGARIAN RISE OF THE RAVEN  

In this international coproduction, the story revolves around the fearless warrior Janos Hunyadi who defeated the Ottoman Army and defended Europe in 1456 at the battle of Belgrade Female characters include Erzsébet Szilágyi, the wife who stands by him and often fights in his place, and Serbian princess Mara Brankovic, his first love, who then breaks his heart by becoming the lead wife in Sultan Murad's court in order to save her own country. 

 

THE LEOPARD FROM ITALY

Netflix will, meanwhile, bring us the latest TV series adaptation of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's famous novel! While Sicily is struggling in the turmoil of the Risorgimento in 1860, the Prince of Salina reigns over his family and his possessions, convinced that even these disorders are destined to pass. Kim Rossi Stuart takes the lead role.

HAGEN FROM GERMANY

We have been waiting for this one for a long time now. Our dearest Jannis Niewohner takes a role in the series which is a reinterpretation of the Nibelungen saga centering on Hagen von Tronje, a Viking who allies himself with the ancient gods and takes up arms against an unscrupulous ruler.

AETERNA FROM RUSSIA

After the pilot two years ago Russian Kinopoisk is turning this one into a series. One of the main states of Qertiana is Talig, whose throne was seized by the Ollar dynasty. The rightful heir takes refuge in the city-state of Agaris, where the head of the local church rules. He dreams of one day overthrowing the Ollars and reclaiming the throne that is rightfully his.

 

1ST TRAILER AND IMAGES FROM 1242: GATEWAY TO THE WEST HISTORICAL EPIC ADVENTURE WITH RAY STEVENSON, ERIC ROBERTS, MICHAEL IRONSIDE, JEREMY NEUMARK JONES

 1242 GATEWAY TO THE WEST 

SEE FIRST EPIC MOVIE TRAILER

The gateway will open next May

You probably remember that back in 2022, your trusted spy informed you that Kevin Spacey was cast in this one but was later replaced by Ray Stevenson due to sexual assault charges that  were brought against him. A year after that Spacey was proclaimed innocent and in May 2023, Stevenson died during post-production which makes this his final film appearance. After all those problems epic historical movie adventure 1242: GATEWAY TO THE WEST, a co production between Hungary and Mongolia, is ready to hit cinemas in May next year and today I have the first posters, character photos and a trailer for you. The movie, which depicts Mongolian invasion into Europe stopped by a castle in Hungary, features an ensemble international cast that includes young Jeremy Neumark Jones, Neil Stuke, Bold Choimbol, Genevieve Chenneour, next  to the well knownaction movie stars from a few decades ago Michael Ironside, Eric Roberts, David Schofield, and Ray Stevenson!

 

WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT? 

When the Kingdom of Hungary's army was annihilated by the Mongols at the battle of Mohi, only the castle of Esztergom now stood in the Mongolians' way of invading the rest of Europe. Khan Batu (Bold Choimbol), the grandson of Genghis Khan, reaches the walls of Esztergom with his invincible troops. The castle's defenders, led by Eusebius (Jeremy Neumark Jones), the Canon of Esztergom, and a Spanish mercenary, Captain Simon (Neil Stuke), are preparing for the final battle. The sudden arrival of Cardinal Cesareani (Ray Stevenson), the Papal Legate, coinciding with the Mongol Lunar New Year celebrations and the mystical practices of Eusebius, combine to offer the defenders a small glimmer of hope. 

 

BETA WRAPS PRODUCTION ON EXPENSIVE HISTORICAL SERIES RISE OF THE RAVEN SET IN 15TH CENTURY EUROPE

 RISE OF THE RAVEN SERIES 

BETA FINISHES PRODUCTION!

Beta Film has announced that they have finished production on new ten part series RISE OF THE RAVEN. The story of the epic adventure series that will air in Autumn 2024 on Hungarian TV2 network, Austrian ORF and probably other national broadcasters around Europe, is set in 15th-century Europe, when army commander Janos Hunyadi and his wife Erzsébet Szilágyi must battle scandals, political power plays, and conspiracies from Warsaw to Rome, Belgrade, and Vienna, while the Ottoman Empire threatens to overrun Europe. In honor of Hunyadi's decisive victory at the Battle of Belgrade, which reshaped the history of the continent, the noon bells ring all over the world to this day.

 

STELLAR INTERNATIONAL CAST 

  Alongside Hunyadi, played by Gellért L. Kádár stands his wife, Elizabeth Szilagyi, portrayed by Vivien Rujder. They are joined by a stellar international cast, including Austria’s Laurence Rupp, Cornelius Obonya, Murathan Muslu, Italy’s Francesco Acquaroli, Czech actor Karel Roden, Serbian Hollywood star Rade Serbedzija (Batman Begins, Mission: Impossible II) as well as Italian actors Thomas Trabacchi, Elena Rusconi and Giancarlo Giannini. It is produced by Serendipity Point Films, Twin Media, HG Media, MR Film, and Beta in coproduction with TV2 Network and ORF. See production clip below:

🎬🇭🇺Watch the first trailer for 'Rise of the Raven' - an epic drama series which tells the story of János Hunyadi who defeated the Ottoman army in 1456 at the Battle of Belgrade, halting its march across Europe.

Can't wait for the series to air! pic.twitter.com/t1CjNIEt4Z

— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) April 23, 2023

SEE BERLIN UNDER SIEGE IN HUNGARY'S 18TH CENTURY EPIC MOVIE HADIK!

   HADIK EPIC MOVIE  

VISIT 18TH CENTURY HUNGARY

Last summer I informed you that Hungary is shooting one of their most expensive historical movies but I forgot about it later on, so I am here now to show you the

Hadik played in cinemas this March

trailer and posters for this epic adventure that played in their cinemas earlier this spring depicting the life of Hungarian nobleman András Hadik. 

 

HADIK is a thrilling adventure set in 18th-century Europe, where Andras Hadik, a charismatic Hussar General, is tasked by Queen Maria Theresa of Austria with a dangerous mission. Alongside his fearless riders, Hadik sets out to raid the city of Berlin and teach King Frederick a lesson. As they journey towards their goal, Hadik and his men face countless challenges, including treacherous terrain, fierce battles, and unexpected betrayals. But with Hadik's unwavering courage and leadership, they emerge victorious and capture the city of Berlin. However, their victory is short-lived as Hadik's arch-nemesis, the ruthless General Von Bock, tracks them down. In a heart-pounding showdown, Hadik must engage in a deadly sword duel with Von Bock, determined to protect his men and secure their victory. With the mission accomplished and Berlin captured, Hadik returns to Vienna, where the Queen rewards him for his bravery and skill in battle. But even as he basks in the glory of his triumph, Hadik knows that his next adventure awaits, and that he must always be ready for whatever challenges may come his way.

1ST PHOTOS AND INTERNATIONAL CAST UNVEILED FOR HUNGARY'S MOST EXPENSIVE EPIC TV SERIES EVER ENGLISH LANGUAGE RISE OF THE RAVEN ABOUT THE 15TH CENTURY WARRIOR JANOS HUNYADI

  RISE OF THE RAVEN  

1ST PICS FROM EPIC TV SERIES

Oh, what a treat I have for you today: first photos and casting from Hungary's most expensive series ever RISE OF THE RAVEN which is currently in production near Budapest under Robert Lantos and Beta Film. As I told you before, based on Bán Mór’s bestselling novels, the ten part series follows Hungarian warrior Janos Hunyadi, who defeated the Ottoman army in 1456 at the Battle of Belgrade, halting its march across Europe. The show which cost well over $30 million already has broadcasters in Hungary and Slovenia and ORF in Austria. Set among the scandals, political power plays and court intrigues of medieval Europe, the series is nevertheless a human story at heart, with Gellért L. Kádár playing Hunyadi, and Vivien Rujder as his life partner, Elizabeth Szilagyi. They’re joined by an international cast that includes Austria’s Laurence Rupp from ''Barbarians”, Cornelius Obonya, Turkey's Murathan Muslu, Italy’s Francesco Acquaroli, Czech actor Karel Roden and Serbian star Rade Serbedzija alongside Italian actors Thomas Trabacchi and Elena Rusconi. The series should also feature Serbian princess Mara Brankovic who was Hunyadi's big love before she was forced to become the empress and wife of his greatest enemy the Turkish sultan Murad. Shooting all the way till June next year, the show will arrive sometime at the end of 2024!

HUNGARY PREPARING THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE HISTORICAL MOVIE EVER 'NOW OR NEVER!' ON THEIR 19TH CENTURY WAR OF INDEPENDENCE FROM AUSTRIA! PLUS 'HADIK' ADVENTURE ON THEIR 18TH CENTURY GENERAL

  NOW OR NEVER!  

HUNGARY'S MOST EXPENSIVE HISTORICAL MOVIE EVER

While we are waiting for new info on announced epic TV series Rise of the Raven, on their famous warrior Janos Hunyadi, Hungary is preparing their most expensive historical movie ever NOW OR NEVER! (Most vagy soha!) about another of their national heroes - Shandor Petofi. To be directed

Nandor Beretyann will play their famous poet Petofi Sandor

by Balazs Loth, this historical epic adventure will cost about $13 million which is huge for Europe. Rise of the Raven will, for example, cost $29 million, but that is a whole series. The film is set on the fateful day of 15 March 1848 when the Hungarian Revolution and the War of Independence from Austria started, and, scheduled for a 2023 release, it will celebrate the 200th

A view on the battle scene from the sets of Now or Never!

anniversary of Sándor Petőfi (to be played in the movie by young Nándor Berettyán), one of the greatest of Hungarian poets, who along with other radical youths, sparked the revolution. With thousands of extras and massive sets built outside Budapest, the production will last till September. Lajos Ottó Horváth, Gábor Jászberényi and Tibor Fehér will also star.

ANOTHER 18TH CENTURY film

Speaking of Hungarian historical movies, another one currently in production is HADIK a feature about an 18th-century Hungarian general and

Hadik is currently also shooting in Hungary

nobleman Andras Hadik who was sent to capture Berlin! Zsolt Trill plays the lead role in this movie directed by Janos Szikora. That one is expected to arrive to cinemas sometime later this year.

 

RALPH FIENNES, STANLEY TUCCI, JOHN LITHGOW, ISABELLA ROSSELLINI TO CHOOSE POPE IN CONCLAVE MOVIE! KEVIN SPACEY, ERIC ROBERTS, CHRISTOPHER LAMBERT, JEREMY NEUMARK JONES TO LEAD 1242 MONGOLIAN BATU KHAN EPIC

   FIENNES AND TUCCI   

TO PLAY PRIESTS IN CONCLAVE

And they won't be alone, as Edward Berger's conspiracy movie CONCLAVE will also have John Lithgow as one of the cardinals next to Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini as a nun.Following the death of the Pope, the reluctant Cardinal Lomeli (Fiennes)

Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes will be the cardinals

is tasked with overseeing the group of Cardinals (Lithgow and Tucci) from across the globe responsible for selecting a new leader for the Church. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, he realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen.

Kevin Spacey will lead the cast

  KEVIN SPACEY TO LEAD  

1242 MONGOL EMPIRE EPIC

When it comes to updates from the historical genre, Kevin Spacey will star in 1242 epic movie a co-production between UK, Hungary and Mongolia. Eric Roberts, Christopher Lambert, Terence Stamp and Jeremy Neumark Jones and Genevieve Florence will also star under the helm of Hungarian director Peter Soos! The film tells the story of Genghis Khan’s grandson Batu Khan, who was elected commander in chief of the western part of the Mongol empire. A skilled military commander, he won battles from China to Persia and was given responsibility for the invasion of Europe but in 1242 Khan is confronted by a deeply spiritual

Genevieve Florence and Jeremy Neumark Jones will also star

man and a castle in Hungary that halts his invasion of Europe and ultimately causes his downfall. Stay tuned for more information on this interesting historical movie project.