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 Among the throng of eastern European films illuminating cinema screens across the world comes Hungary's most ambitious film to date, Children of Glory
WITH THE SUCCESS OF Romanian film 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days, and now this highly lauded Hungarian film, cinephiles are increasingly looking east for inspiration. Set during the time of the Hungarian Revolution, Children of Glory follows the exploits of young waterpolo player Karcsi Szabo and student protester Viki Falk as the backlash against the USSR erupts across Hungary. We talk to director Krisztina Goda (pictured above).
 What has been the reception of Children of Glory in Hungary?
The 1956 revolution affected the second part of 20th-century history for most Hungarians. To this day it is a very sensitive subject, since many of its participants are still alive. Despite the delicate subject, the general audience response was great, and the film was a huge commercial success. Older generations felt that they have relived the past events, while people in their twenties, born in democracy understood a piece of history that affected their parents' and grandparents' lives.
Children of Glory has been shown at a number of film festivals worldwide. What has been the general reception?
Japan was probably the most positive, where the film won the audience award at the Aichi International Film Festival.
I haven't yet experienced too much negative response, but some Hungarian critics debated the film's historical accuracy. Researching the subject I found that very few historians viewed the order of events the same way.
 Your previous film Just Sex and Nothing Else has been described as the "Hungarian Bridget Jones" while Children of Glory is more serious in nature. What genre do you feel most comfortable in?
Just Sex and Nothing Else was a low budget relationship comedy with a strong female lead, Children of Glory is a historical drama. I feel comfortable in both comedy and drama, but perhaps I feel closer to Just Sex and Nothing Else , since I was a writer on the project.
 Are you a fan of water polo?
Now, I am. I had never been to a water polo match prior to pre-production and I had to learn everything about it. The rules now, the rules of the 1950s, different ways of attacks and defences in great detail.
I discovered that it is a very exciting game and it's almost impossible to remain an unaffected observer.
What are your thoughts on current Hungarian cinema?
Perhaps too many movies are made for such a small country, but most productions are underfinanced. In some cases creativity cannot make up for the missing part of the budget. Hungarian language is also a problem in worldwide distribution and sales. Some films, however, manage to break these boundaries and are well received in international festivals.
 Which Hungarians should we be looking out for both in front of and behind the camera?
One of my favourite Hungarian actors is Iván Fenyö, the lead in Children of Glory. Another is Sándor Csányi who starred in Just Sex and Nothing Else and played Tibi in Children of Glory. Another great actor I haven't yet had a chance to work with, apart from minor roles, is Zsolt Nagy. Nagy is selected into the Shooting Star Program at the Berlinale 2008.
Children of Glory is out in cinemas across Europe now. www.szabadsagszerelemafilm.hu
Na ekrany kin wchodzi najbardziej - jak do tej pory - ambitny węgierski film, Dzieci Chwały. Akcja filmu rozgrywa się w latach 50., w czasie trwania Rewolucji Węgierskiej. Opowiada o zaangażowaniu w antysowieckie wystąpienia dwójki młodych ludzi - gracza waterpolo i i studenta. Rozmawiamy z reżyserem filmu, Krisztiną Goda. Jak odebrano Dzieci Chwały na Węgrzech? Odbiór był bardzo dobry, film okazał się wielkim sukcesem. Dla starszego pokolenia był to powrót do tamtych wydarzeń, natomiast urodzeni w czasach demokracji dwudziestoparolatkowie mogli lepiej zrozumieć tę część historii, która wpłynęła na życie ich rodziców i dziadków.
Czy jesteś fanką waterpolo?
Teraz, tak. Wcześniej nigdy nie byłam na żadnym meczu waterpolo i musiałam się wszystkiego nauczyć. Odkryłam, że to bardzo ekscytująca gra.
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