From 'Dune' to 'Wicker,' how this ‘tiny’ European country became a hub for Hollywood
Hungary, a small country in central Europe, has played a major part in the movie business since the late 19th century.
TL;DR
- Hungary has a long history in the film industry, dating back to 1896 with the Lumière brothers' exhibition in Budapest.
- Notable films like 'Dune,' 'Blade Runner 2049,' and 'Poor Things' were filmed in Hungary.
- Hungarian-born figures like Adolph Zukor (Paramount Pictures) and William Fox (Twentieth Century-Fox) were pioneers in Hollywood.
- Budapest's diverse architecture allows it to double for various European cities.
- Production costs in Hungary are estimated to be 30% to 50% cheaper than in the U.S.
- Origo Studios is a major production complex where films like 'Dune' and 'Inferno' were shot.
- The Hungarian government is working to provide a stable incentive system for filmmakers after past disruptions.
- International productions are increasingly hiring local talent for various roles, as seen in the film 'Wicker'.