Franz Liszt and his muse in Gyöngyössy’s Utolsó Rapszódia
Mired for the past two years in financial difficulties and the restructuring of its management authorities, the Hungarian film industry is still functioning slowly, but hopes to step things up a gear in 2012. One of the rare projects to have recently managed to materialise is Utolsó Rapszódia (“Last Rhapsody”) by Bence Gyöngyössy [pictured in the middle of the photo], which started shooting on September 27.
Starring Tamás Jordán, Ilona Sarközi-Nagy [on the left in the photo], Andrea Söptei [on the right in the photo], Peter Kálloy-Molnar and Piroska Molnar, the film is scripted by Tibor Fonyódi. It will recount the final days in the life of great Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, who died in Bayreuth in 1886, and the love affair between the artist and his final muse.
The story will open with a flashback of Budapest in 1911 during celebrations marking the centenary of the composer’s birth and the 25th anniversary of his death: a witness describes what really happened in Bayreuth.
Having attracted attention with his debut feature Gypsy Law (Best Debut Film at Montreal in 1997, Best Actor Award at Hungarian Film Week 1998), Gyöngyössy then turned to comedy with major hits at the Hungarian box office including One Skirt and a Pair of Trousers in 2006.
Produced by Europa 2000, Utolsó Rapszódia is backed by the Hungarian Culture Ministry as part of this year’s bicentenary celebrations of Liszt’s birth. Shooting will mainly take place at Festetics Palace in Budapest and Ráday de Pécel Castle.
(Translated from French)
Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.
