17-03-2010

Almási takes Hungary's Kossuth Prize

By Dániel Deák
    Tamás Almási has received Kossuth Prize for his outstanding documentary and feature films, presented on March 15 by László Sólyom, the President of Hungary.

    Almási directed his feature, Mario, the Magician and several important documentaries, including Puskás, Hungary about the famous Hungarian football player Ferenc Puskás.

    Cinematographer and director Sándor Kardos received a second Kossuth Prize. He filmed dozens of Hungarian features, including Europe Film Award (www.europeanfilmacademy.org) winning Eldorado, and he is a significant experimental film maker. His last feature length experimental film, The Gravedigger premiered on the last Hungarian Film Week (www.hungarianfilmweek.com).

    Gyula Maár has received Kossuth Prize for Lifetime Achievement. Mari Törőcsik, the wife of Gyula Maár received the Golden Palm in Cannes in 1975 for the Best Actress as the main character of Mrs. Déry, Where Are You? Maár's last picture, Fragment was released in 2007.

    The Kossuth Prize is named after the Hungarian politician and revolutionary Lajos Kossuth. The prize was established in 1948 on the occasion of the centenary of the March 15th revolution and it has been handed over every year for Hungarian artists.