Mari Törőcsik opened the 40th Hungarian Filmweek
30 January 2009
On Thursday evening the 40th Hungarian Filmweek officially launched in the Budapest Congress Centre by a ceremony opened by veteran actress Mari Törőcsik.This year's festival is dedicated to the memory of master film director Zoltán Huszárik. Cultural undersecretary of state Dr. Márta Schneider in her opening speech referred to the film law, now in its fifth year, which was passed by the Parliament based on industrial self-organization with exemplary strive for consensus. The undersecretary reminded the audience that last year the council in Brussels approved the Hungarian state film support system for the next five years. Dr. Márta Schneider also pointed out how this year's festival is special in terms of the large number of first time filmmakers' works in competition.
Based on the vote of Hungarian filmmakers and film critics the 2009 Jolán Árvai prize for outstanding achievements in filmmaking went to Veronika Vécsy, production manager. The golden ring and certificate going with the prize was handed over by filmmakers Mária Sós and György Molnár, members of the festival council.
Also handed over were the Lifetime achievement awards, this year to costume designer Fanni Kemenes, director-screenwriter Péter Bacsó, painter-production designer Tivadar Bertalan, actor István Szilágyi and director Sándor G. Szőnyi. The prizes were handed over by director-cinematographer Emil Novák, head of the festival council.
Péter Bacsó remarked in his acceptance speech, "I've never wanted to make anything else but film. The thought of a lifetime achievement has never once crossed my mind. I apologize to anyone I couldn't entertain enough and to those I may have offended in any way. I honestly say this prize has given me happy hours. I would like to return this once."
The title "Master of Hungarian Motion Picture" this year went to director Judit Elek.
Performing during the ceremony was renowned singer Márta Sebestyén before significant composers of the Hungarian film put on a special show: János Bródy, János Másik, János Novák and István Márta performed the popular song "Karom kitárom" ("Holding my arms wide") with a choir.
The evening concluded with the screening of the French-Hungarian made short "A repülés története" (The History of Aviation) by Europe-award winning director Bálint Kenyeres.
