AMERICAN TORSO (1975)

3rd Hungarian Film Showcase in London

"Somewhere in the World"
22-28 June 2010

American Torso / Amerikai anzix (1975)



Director: Gabor Body

Gabor Body is one of the most outstanding personalities from the Hungarian cinema.

He became a great source of inspiration among filmmakers and film-lovers.

By some he's called radical, and by others the most daring innovator of our time.

Body's film were made in that time when the communism dominated in Hungary and every creative art was under strict control. The regulations said that the cinema should be there for the masses to strengthen the political influence. Experimental films had no chance, film artists were under close surveillance. For that reason for the Body-type-of-filmmakers was difficult to put their ideas onto the big screen.

"He joined the "Studio Bela Balazs" in 1971 (established in 1959, named after the Hungarian scriptwriter) where behind doors experimental films were made despite of the communism outside. It was the meeting place of liberal thinking directors and writers. In 1973 Body set up the "experimental film group K3" as a platform for true experiments."

"From 1971 to 1975 he studied at the Hungarian Film Academy. His diploma work was "American Postcard" (aka American Torso) which after its completion in 1975 won the main award at the Mannheim Film festival in 1976."


American Torso takes us back in 1865. It's about two hungarians meet in the Civil War. The two men represent two different stories. One story is based on Ambrose Bierce's novel "George Thruston", the other is on the Hungarian War of Independence in 1948.
Body's talent create a beautiful of picture of a true friendship of two completely different persons in the middle of changes.

With his films that present fresh and useful discoveries of its time Body's achieved great development in the Hungarian film industry.

/Source and information: www.bodygabor.hu/

SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE (1947)

3rd Hungarian Film Showcase in London

"Somewhere in the World"
22-28 June 2010

Somewhere in Europe (1947)


Director: Geza von Radvanyi
Writer: Bela Balazs

Geza von Radvanyi's name is well known among the best historical movie makers worldwide. He was a Hungarian film director, producer and writer.
Before starting his career in the film industry he made himself known as a journalist, and was a producer assistant and screenwriter in different but mainly French and German film factories.

In 1937 he's married to Maria Fekete Tasnadi who played several roles in his future films.

As a film-maker his aim was to create a successful cinema in Hungary in the 50s and 60s, what would compete Hollywood studios.

One of his most famous works is the Somewhere in Europe, which he made in 1947 (Hungarian title: Valahol Europaban).


The film is described as his best by many historians. Set in the 40s, it's about children (played by orphans), who in order to survive have to form a gang and rob for food. They found a ruined castle where they intend to live, not knowing that it belongs to an elderly musician, who they want to rob him too, but there's a twist, and the building becomes their hiding-place.

With great black-and-white cinematography the film is recommended for everyone who loves children, history, in short, for everyone who loves movies.