22-07-2008

Mundruczo to open Budapest cinema

By Gyorgy Karpati

    Following the success of Delta (Cannes FIPRESCI prize and Lux Prize nomination), director Kornel Mundruczo and producer Viktoria Petranyi are lining up new film projects and leasing a Budapest art house cinema.

    Petranyi, producer and head of Proton Cinema (www.protoncinema.hu), told FNE that Mundruczo is considering several films. They include one about Leonardo Da Vinci made in cooperation with Bela Tarr (Man from London) and a story based on Frankenstein. Both projects in early pre-production stages and are planned as international co-productions, Petranyi said.

    Meanwhile, as he prepares for his next film, Mundruczo, along with Petranyi and Hungarian distributor/cinema manager Peter Balassa, established a new company, Szuez ltd., and leased Budapest cinema Szindbad mozi from owner Budapest Film (www.budapestfilm.hu). The contract lasts five years with a five year extension, and the trio plans to create a cultural center in the cinema. It has been renamed A KINO and will open September 25, after renovation. A multicultural center for exhibitions, plays, and installations is planned, although it will continue to operate as a cinema as part of the Europa Cinemas network (www.europa-cinemas.org) with films accounting for 50-60% of the schedule.