A Long Weekened in Pest and Buda

(aka 'A Long Weekend in Pest and Buda')

Directed by Károly Makk
Hungary 2003

A Long Weekend in Pest and Buda came about partly because of a suggestion by Marc Vlessing, the film’s eventual producer, that Makk ought to make a film which looked at the recent past in Hungary. At the time (1997), Vlessing and Makk were in London putting the finishing touches to The Gambler; as the date suggests, the film had had a long gestation period, partly due to the usual problems of finding financial backing, not easy for a film made in Hungary, with Hungarian personnel, actors (with one exception), and a distinctly Hungarian theme and topic. From early on in the development of the project, Makk was keen to include the two actors from Love, Iván Darvas and Mari Törőcsik, despite any notions this may have raised about the film being a continuation or even a remake of the earlier film. The story of Iván and his former lover Mari, as they struggle to come to terms with the past, also becomes the story of his generation.

Promotional

Theatrical Release: June 24th, 2003 - Moscow Film Festival

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DVD Review: Second Run - Region 0 - PAL

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from: NOTE: This is the actual cover - the one presently on Amazon.UK is incorrect
Distribution	Second Run DVD - Region 0 - PAL
Runtime	1:26:33
Video	1.78:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.67 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	Hungarian (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Second Run DVD Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Interview with director Károly Makk • Interview with producer Marc Vlessing • Liner Notes booklet features Mari Törõcsik speaking about Károly Makk and a new Essay by author John Cunningham DVD Release Date: December 4th, 2006 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 12

Comments:

Second Run appear to be back with the high standards of many of their initial releases. This Director approved progressive transfer is 16X9 enhanced from its original 1.85 ratio and includes optional English subtitles. Detail is quite strong and I detected no manipulation in the dual-layered transfer. Colors are muted, as intended and contrast is excellent.

There are two interesting interviews (Makk and Vlessing) included (totalling about 30 minutes) and a professionally done liner notes booklet. Thanks to Second Run I've had a crash course in the cinema of Makk and I am now a devoted fan. This may be another of my favorite of his films.

Kudos to Second Run for digitally bringing this out in such superlative form. Fans of foreign language film won't be disappointed in this DVD. We recommend!