Budapest Retro

The Dynasty(hu)

The Dynasty by the Direkt36 investigative center tells the story of the business dealings of the Prime Minister’s family over several decades. With hidden camera footage, it also shows the luxurious world built by Viktor Orbán’s son-in-law István Tiborcz and his daughter Ráhel Orbán.

Beautiful Budapest(en)

This Traveltalk series short visits Hungary's capital, Budapest.

Days on Designers(hu)

Geri is a serious drug addict, using designer drugs intravenously. Between two flashes, he lives an active social life on the streets of Budapest, in a subculture that "normal" people cannot see.

The Fish of Budapest(hu)

Documentary about the fish in Budapest

Budapest Timegate(hu)

In the summer of 2004, a group of filmmakers embarked on a project in Budapest, capturing the city's essence with several dozen rolls of Kodachrome 40 Super 8mm film. Although they utilized only a small portion of the footage at the time, the material remained untouched for nearly two decades. In 2024, they rediscovered this treasure, breathing new life into it by adding sound and music. They returned to the same urban locations, now equipped with digital technology, to create a fresh narrative that intertwines the past with the present.

13 Years, 13 Minutes(pl)

A story of two boys caught up in the turmoil of the dramatic events of 1956 in Central Europe. At 13, Romek Strzalkowski was the youngest victim of the first workers' rebellion against Communist authorities in Poland. During "Black Thursday" on June 26, he was killed protesting near the UB political police headquarters. Peter Mansfeld was the youngest victim of post-revolt Communist reprisals in Hungary. As a 15-year-old he took part in the Budapest fighting. After the revolution had been quelled by the Soviet army in 1956, he did not give up; he was arrested in 1959 and sentenced to death. Because of the Communists' cruelty, it took as long as 13 minutes for Peter to die, "like Jesus Christ on the cross," said his Hungarian biographer. The filmmakers analyze the importance of the legend about the two boys who fought against Communism in Poland and Hungary.

Budapest, végállomás(hu)

Freedom's Fury(en)

A documentary on the 1956 Olympic semifinal water polo match between Hungary and Russia. Held in Australia, the match occurred as Russian forces were in Budapest, stomping out a popular revolt.

Monument to the Murderers(hu)

A film about a district in Buda, which to this day cannot face the inconceivably cruel crimes committed by its former inhabitants.

Városlakók(hu)

Corvin variációk(hu)

Mad Youth(hu)

In 2020 the Hungarian government announced the change of ownership at nine state universities in order to make them maintained by foundations. The so-called “restructuring” comprised the imposition of a board of trustees over the universities, the members of which being loyal supporters of the government holding stable positions in its economic halo. Only one of the nine institutions protested against the forced political takeover of the University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE). Our film presents one of the stories of the university blockade.

Tejutcagyerek(hu)

János Baksa-Soós, aka Prince January. A man who influenced those who influenced us. “Sometimes you have to make time for a whole life!” he said. He did, and we explored his incredible life. Starting from Zoltán Kodály, we fly over downtown KEX concerts, dive into the deepest recesses of Berlin punk and end up who knows where. Somewhere in the cosmos.

Zátonyi és Kővári(hu)

Budapest Noir(hu)

A murder mystery set in 1936 Budapest, just as Hungary was preparing to align itself with Hitler. A beautiful young girl is found dead and nobody wants to investigate—except Gordon, a crime reporter who has a gut feeling that things are not what they seem.

I Spy(en)

When the Switchblade, the most sophisticated prototype stealth fighter created yet, is stolen from the U.S. government, one of the United States' top spies, Alex Scott, is called to action. What he doesn't expect is to get teamed up with a cocky civilian, World Class Boxing Champion Kelly Robinson, on a dangerous top secret espionage mission. Their assignment: using equal parts skill and humor, catch Arnold Gundars, one of the world's most successful arms dealers.

The Shop Around the Corner(en)

Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand one another, without realising that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal.

Honeysuckle(hu)

Like the twining vines of the honeysuckle, each of the three stories in this film follow a character whose growth is impeded by the clouds of society hanging over their heads. From a Hungarian taxi driver torn between the preservation of his family and the unexpected humane responsibility found in the clandestine activities he does for profit, to the Hungarian teenager of a single mother whose idea of life goals and success seems perpetually defined by the missing figure of a role model, and finally to the young Indian Carnatic singer who amidst personal and national turmoil decides to sacrifice the one thing that defines her - her talent, Honeysuckle aims not to narrate or condescendingly offer a message, as much as it seeks to illustrate the many life directions available, and the way none of them are good, in a world severely lacking a moral center.

Etoile(it)

An American ballerina arrives in Hungary to enroll in a ballet school and it soon becomes apparent that things are not what they seem.

8MM 2(en)

Entering a seamy underground world of peep shows, nude clubs, and live Internet sex is David Huxley, an aspiring politician who has everything to lose. Secretly filmed in a steamy three-way with his fiancée Tish and a gorgeous young model, David is desperate to find the extortionist who's demanding an exorbitant amount of money for the negatives. But when the blackmail trail ends in murder and David is kidnapped, Tish must come up with $5 million ransom or her fiancé's once-promising career, and life, may come to a dead end.

Retro Christmas Classics(en)

Classic and obscure collection of old Christmas themed trailers and shorts from the 1940's through the 1960's.

Divers at Work on the Wreck of the "Maine"(fr)

Divers go to work on a wrecked ship (the battleship Maine that was blown up in Havana harbour during the Spanish-American War), surrounded by curiously disproportionate fish.

Young and Dangerous 4(zh)

The boss of the Hung Hing gang, Tian Sang, has died. Ho Nam and Hon Bun find Sangs younger brother, Yang to lead the gang. Meanwhile, Hon Bun receives news that his younger brother, a leader of the Tuen Mun gang has been assasinated. They travel to Hong Kong to settle the matter.

WWE WrestleMania XXVIII(en)

The Rock and John Cena collide in the most anticipated WrestleMania face-off in history, an epic match that will forever define the legacies of these icons. The Deadman stakes his entire legacy on one battle with Triple H inside the nightmarish prison they immortalized, Hell In A Cell, with The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels as special guest referee. WWE Champion CM Punk faces off against Chris Jericho in the explosive clash of revolutionaries that will determine which man truly is “The Best In The World.” Daniel Bryan defends his title against a riled-up and ruthless Sheamus, who will have to fight through The Submission Specialist’s tactics to claim his first World Heavyweight Championship. Team Teddy takes on Team Johnny to determine which man will win total control of Raw and SmackDown. This was the twenty-eighth annual WrestleMania. It took place on April 1, 2012 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is the highest grossing PPV event in professional wrestling history.

Hello(en)

The film tells the story of three best friends named Ako, Aki and Awang, who are well-known in their village for their mischievous and humourous pranks. The trio work for Pak Man. One day, they are assigned to pick up his daughter Misha, who has just returned from overseas and dreams of becoming a doctor. The trio have been in love with her for a long time but she does not pay them any heed. When Misha is robbed by a snatch thief one day, she is rescued by a doctor named Shafiq. Her face reminds the doctor of his late wife, and he begins to pursue her, which annoys the trio.

Main Krishna Hoon(hi)

In answer to an orphan boy's prayers, the divine Lord Krishna comes to Earth, befriends the boy, and helps him find a loving family.

The Way to the Heart(en)

Ava, an award-winning chef at a big-city restaurant, has lost her spark. Her boss sends her out to find herself to save her menu and her job. She returns home and finds little to inspire her, but when she reunites with her childhood friend Logan, Ava has to get her head out of the clouds and her foot out of her mouth to rediscover her passion for food.

Bitukang Manok(tl)

While driving along the Quezon Province's famed Old Maharlika Highway, which has been referred to as "Bitukang Manok" because of its sharp curves, three groups of strangers find themselves isolated and trapped by mysterious forces. Here, surrounded by a menacing forest, they must confront their psychological demons as they spiral down deeper into their neurosis.

Dead Solid Perfect(en)

A second-string pro golfer desperate for his shot at success tours the country.

Krzysztof Krawczyk – całe moje życie(pl)

Documentary story about the career of Krzysztof Krawczyk, one of the most popular pop music performers on the Polish scene. The artist has many hits to his credit. The film uses unique archival footage.

Complicit(en)

An MI5 officer's attempts to foil a possible terrorist plot are undermined by bureaucracy and moral dilemmas. Will he make the world a safer place or be complicit in making a tense situation even worse?

Quiet Night In(en)

Would-be novelist Jess Bartlett stages a "quiet night in" to finish her new book, fuelled by glasses of wine and her favourite board game, "Cluedo". Then all manner of odd friends and acquaintances show up with only one thing in common - they pay 'Cluedo'. As Jess moves her pieces into place, her life unravels as she becomes "trapped" in her house with a troubled footballer, a manic TV advice show host and a randy old author and an unseen chicken.

The False Story of a Real Legend(it)

An important poet is found apparently suicidal dead and the people who were close to him reconstruct the history, the vices, the strengths and the immense qualities. What will be the truth about his death?

Maine-Ocean Express(fr)

"Maine-Ocean" is the name of a train that rides from Paris to Saint-Nazaire (near the ocean). In that train, Dejanira, a Brazilian, has a brush with the two ticket inspectors. Mimi, another traveler and also a lawyer, helps her. The four of them will meet together later and live a few shifted adventures with a strange-speaking sailor (Mimi's client).

İstanbul Dehşet İçinde(tr)

Several murders are committed in Istanbul within a week. Some of the victims are individuals who were under surveillance by the National Security Agency. These individuals, who are members of the Mirak Organization, an international anarchist gang, take many clues with them. The Security Agency discovers that the gang is working on a secret project. All they have left is information about a single suspect. They must figure out what the operation involves. Kemal, one of the National Security Agency's most important police officers, will attempt to solve this complex equation.

Beneath the Quiet Sky(xx)

A quiet room, a quiet world, yet the mind storms.

Secrets of Palace coup d'etat. Russia, 18th century. Film №7. Viva, Anna! II(ru)

Europe and Russia are shocked by the unexpected death of the young Emperor Peter II. He died at the age of 14, leaving behind neither an heir nor a will. Who will get the crown of the Russian Empire? A fierce struggle for power begins. Having chosen Anna Ioannovna, the Privy Council hoped to use her as a puppet and a screen for the implementation of their own selfish plans. But the nobles were mistaken - the people do not like eight tyrants. Let there be a tyrant, but only ONE!

Here and There(fr)

One summer evening in a small town in France, two teenage boys, Clarinet and Piano, say goodbye. For twelve years, they rejoin each other at irregular intervals in the same town, discussing their ambitions as they drift apart. Michaël Dacheux's 'Here and There' is a delicate exploration of the eager aspirations of two young men, wise beyond their years yet still innocent in their experience.