NEWS

extracts from the Kisalföld Daily Paper, author: György Fábián Source: www.kisalfold.hu

Seems odd but there are people who have the duty to meet stars. Erzsébeth Tóth, the general secretry of the Hungarian Motion Picture Foundation, was invited to the Golden Globe Award Ceremony and met and talked with such famous stars like Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood. She represented the film production of Hungary and tried to convince the film makers to shoot their films here.

She has visited the Golden Globe since 2005 and as a private person, she always has a great time.

'I think that the studio capacities of Hungary can be sold at such events'- she told our paper. 'Our delegation represented the Hungarian Film Committee. The task of this organisation is to bring more and more fim productions to Hungary.

'Is the journalist, Anikó Návai, the oversea deputy of this committee?'

'She is our representative in Los Angeles. She is an influential journalist in the USA and she is among the 82 people whose votes decide the awards. The studios and stars like her because she is a friendly communicator who has good questions.'

'So this ceremony is important because you can find work here for the Hungarian film industry. I think there is no more famous spokesman of this matter than Tom Hanks'.

'Tom Hanks is not only one of the most popular actors but he is the most influential producer, the life-achievement awarded Steven Spielberg's friend. That's why we cried out in happiness when receiving the award for the John Adams serial, he thanked Budapest and the Hungarian people for the opportunity to shoot the mini serial.'

'I think after all these, you also thanked the artists that they propagated us in the film producers' circle.'

'I had the occassion, as the different studios give parties at several places in the Beverly Hilton. John Adams is the film of the HBO, so I visited their party. Anikó Návai asked Tom if he could talk to one of the leaders of the Hungarian film organisation. He was very kind and said that he had heard only good things about the Hungarian crews. I told him, just like each of our partners, that  after long fights with the EU, we managed to achieve 20% of tax preference for the film makers. Expenses are also important, not only the good atmosphere!'

'Barrymore's mother is Hungarian.'

'She talked to us in Hungarian! We met Leonardo di Caprio, too, whom a director from Győr, Tibor Kocsis, would like to reach for long time. He want to invite the star to narrate his ecological film, 'Eldorado'.

'This is quite a crazy idea for the first sight!'

'It's not, as Caprio listened to us and said that he would watch the movie and then give an answer. He asked us to find his agent which wasn't a difficult task. His mother, who arranges Leonardo's business was there at the party.'