Bibliothéque Pascal, about a journey to a brothel where clients act out their literary fantasies, won the top prize at this year?s Hungarian Film Week and it has been well received at festivals in Berlin, Los Angeles, Paris and Sidney.
?America cannot be generalized, especially when it comes to taste. Two-thousand people will vote for the film, but how the proportion of those who like it compares to those who don?t is entirely unpredictable,? said Hajdu of his film?s chances to be shortlisted for the Best Foreign Film prize.
In order for an opinion to be formed of the film, Academy members have to get to know it, and that requires effective promotion, said Hajdu.
Hajdu said he believed his film White Palms, which was also Hungary?s submission for an Oscar in 2006, was close to being put among the nominations, but it wasn?t in the end because ?nobody knew about it?.
Hajdu conceded that Hungarian films could not compete with ones from Asia or other big cultural nations in Europe as these enjoy strong lobbying and popular languages. But this does not mean Hungarian films should not be promoted.
?Our films call attention to themselves because of their point of view, the topic and their extraordinary manner of narration. But in order to achieve what is possible for such a small country to create must also be brought to the promotional level,? Hajdu said.
?If Hungarian film shows they can breathe freely and work, the same picture will be formed of the country. And you have to watch for that,? Hajdu said.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / Photo: Dániel Kováts
