Founded | 19 December 1928 |
---|---|
Defunct | 18 August 1948 |
Hunnia Film Studio was the largest and most significant sound film studio in Hungary until its nationalization in 1948. Its predecessor, Corvin Film Studio, founded by Alexander Korda in 1917, was the most important Hungarian silent film company, while its successor, Mafilm, became the largest Hungarian film company, still operating today. [1]
Corvin Film Studio was purchased at an auction by the state-founded Filmipari Alap (Film Industry Fund). [2] On December 19, 1928, Hunnia Film Factory was founded in Budapest.
Prime Minister István Bethlen was determined to consolidate the Hungarian film industry and restore its old prestige. Therefore, the film factory was equipped with the most modern German technology. [3] The rebuilt studio was handed over on April 28, 1931. The next day Kék Bálvány, [4] the first Hungarian sound film, was shot. [5] [6]
By the early 1940s, Hungary had become the third largest film production country in Europe [7] [8] as well as Hungary's largest film factory, with seven studios and 1,300 workers. From its foundation, some 20 million meters of film had been shot, and the average budget was 400,000 pengő. [9]
In the closing months of the Second World War Hungary's ruling Arrow Cross regime planned to dismantle the studio and move it westwards, but this plan was wrecked when the Soviet Red Army captured Budapest. [10] In the end, the Second World War did not spare Hunnia, all of whose studios were bombed.
The war was not over, but Budapest's leadership with Mayor János Csorba at the forefront had begun rebuilding the main studio, which returned to the top of European film production. On October 2, 1945, film production resumed in Hunnia's Korda Studio for the first time after the Second World War. The first film was The Schoolmistress, based on Sándor Bródy's play A tanítónő. After that, however, very few films were made until nationalization. Of these, Valahol Európában (1947) directed by Géza Radványi was a notable success. [11]
On August 18, 1948, Hunnia was nationalized. Since then, it has continued to function as Mafilm. [9] [12]
Hunnia Film Studio as above should not be confused with the earlier Hunnia Studio that operated for two years from 1911. [13] [9] Later, Hunnia studios were formed several times within Mafilm. [14] [15]
Hunnia's films in chronological order [9] [16]
Founded | 19 December 1928 |
---|---|
Defunct | 18 August 1948 |
Hunnia Film Studio was the largest and most significant sound film studio in Hungary until its nationalization in 1948. Its predecessor, Corvin Film Studio, founded by Alexander Korda in 1917, was the most important Hungarian silent film company, while its successor, Mafilm, became the largest Hungarian film company, still operating today. [1]
Corvin Film Studio was purchased at an auction by the state-founded Filmipari Alap (Film Industry Fund). [2] On December 19, 1928, Hunnia Film Factory was founded in Budapest.
Prime Minister István Bethlen was determined to consolidate the Hungarian film industry and restore its old prestige. Therefore, the film factory was equipped with the most modern German technology. [3] The rebuilt studio was handed over on April 28, 1931. The next day Kék Bálvány, [4] the first Hungarian sound film, was shot. [5] [6]
By the early 1940s, Hungary had become the third largest film production country in Europe [7] [8] as well as Hungary's largest film factory, with seven studios and 1,300 workers. From its foundation, some 20 million meters of film had been shot, and the average budget was 400,000 pengő. [9]
In the closing months of the Second World War Hungary's ruling Arrow Cross regime planned to dismantle the studio and move it westwards, but this plan was wrecked when the Soviet Red Army captured Budapest. [10] In the end, the Second World War did not spare Hunnia, all of whose studios were bombed.
The war was not over, but Budapest's leadership with Mayor János Csorba at the forefront had begun rebuilding the main studio, which returned to the top of European film production. On October 2, 1945, film production resumed in Hunnia's Korda Studio for the first time after the Second World War. The first film was The Schoolmistress, based on Sándor Bródy's play A tanítónő. After that, however, very few films were made until nationalization. Of these, Valahol Európában (1947) directed by Géza Radványi was a notable success. [11]
On August 18, 1948, Hunnia was nationalized. Since then, it has continued to function as Mafilm. [9] [12]
Hunnia Film Studio as above should not be confused with the earlier Hunnia Studio that operated for two years from 1911. [13] [9] Later, Hunnia studios were formed several times within Mafilm. [14] [15]
Hunnia's films in chronological order [9] [16]