The Báthory Movie premiere in Budapest
The successful VIP premiere of the Juraj Jakubisko historical epic movie BATHORY was held on Thursday 14 January in Budapest. The premiere took place at the prestigious historical cinema URANIA, which is built in a style similar to Prague famous Lucerna theater. Gala premiere evening was attended in person by the popular actor Franco Nero (Matthew King II.) as well as Marek Majeský (Gabriel Bathory) Vondráčková Lucie (Lucie), Michael Drotárová (Erika), Beata Greneche (Ilona), and of course director Juraj Jakubisko and his wife Deana Jakubisková Horváthová, who was representing herself as both the actress (Darvulie) and the film’s producer. Main representative of the film in the role of Ersébet Bathory - Anna Friel - attended the premiere through “welcome message“ on a DVD that was filmed specifically for the Hungarian audience. FABrabec, Ján Ďuriš, Janos Kende and co-Hungarian Péter Miscolci were present at the premiere as the main cinematographers.
The prominent Hungarian VIP guests consisted of the main representatives from the political, cultural, film, literary parts of society. URANIA cinema reached the “FULL HOUSE” state by screening the story of Ersébet Bathory to 430 people. Politics that took place on this special occasion were: Slovak Ambassador Mr. Peter Weiss and the Czech ambassador in Budapest, Mr. Jaromir Plíšek. Premiere was also attended by secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Olga ALGAYEROVÁ for Slovakia and Mr. Joseph Czukor for Hungary. Their presence is a proof that culture is the best bridge for connecting people, who have the common European roots.
The reception itself was exceptionally. Tables were bending under the amounts of Moravian wines, specialties of Hungarian and Slovak cuisine and everything was accompanied by the excellent Czech beer. Also special cocktails for beauty and youthfulness were specially created and mixed by the Bathory Panopticum bartenders. At the end of the evening party one lucky guest won a trip to the High Tatras. Provided by the Slovak Tuoirsm Board in Hungary.
Journalist projections attracted nearly 50 journalists. Subsequent press conference lasted more than one hour and was full of interesting questions and answers. The presence of the Italian actor Franco Nero generated a great interest of both print and television media. Deana and Juraj Jakubisko had several interviews in a number of Hungarian television and radio channels on which they were at times also accompanied by the historian Gábor Varconym.
The film received a great feedback among the guests of the premiere and the standing ovations lasted even longer than in Czech or Slovak Republic! Hungary is currently the third country in which the film entered the cinema market. It is expected to attract similarly interest from the audience as it did in the Czech and Slovak republics, since the legend of Bathory is a part of Hungarian culture and history.
Entering release in the Hungarian market with a full release encompassing both multiplexes and art house cinemas, the first screening is on 20th January 2010 when 14 prints reach the multiplex cinemas and from 21st January 2010 will be released all of the 25 prints from which 22 represent multiplex cinemas and 3 will be screened at the art houses. The film’s release will further expand to additional art houses over the coming weeks of the release.