Children of Glory
(Szabadság, Szerelem)

feature, SD, 123 minutes

co-produced with: United Kingdom
romance history war

PREMIER (HUNGARY): 2006.

The time is 1956, the coldest year of the Cold War and Hungary is politically dominated by the Soviet Empire. Yet, Hungary is also a superpower � the Hungarian national water polo team remains undefeated... invincible. While Communist oppression hangs like a dark cloud over the Hungarians'  everyday life, the team's star athletes are shining heroes to the nation, treated like modern day rock stars with money jingling in their pockets and a beautiful girl on each arm.
As the film opens, the team is training for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. Meanwhile, students at the University in Budapest are organizing the fight against the Russian occupation and the Hungarian secret police who terrorise the nation. The students light a spark that is quickly embraced by the nation � the police, the army and the peasants unite in the struggle for freedom. Politics, however, are of no concern to Karcsi (Iván Fenyő), the handsome, hot-headed star of the team, and his best friend, Tibi (Sándor Csányi). But after witnessing a student demonstration and seeing the fiery Viki Falk's (Kata Dobó) demand that the students be allowed to speak, Karcsi becomes intrigued. He follows the beautiful girl and soon finds himself in the middle of a revolution, when a peaceful demonstration turns into bloody combat... students, children, and housewives battling the Russian tanks. This epic match in Melbourne was a high moment of sports drama in 1956 � in 2006 it will once again be one of the most talked about games in Olympic history � and inspiration to freedom � loving people everywhere.

Most Successful Hungarian Film in 2006 - Prize of the Association of Hungarian Cinema Exhibitors

Creators

Krisztina Goda Director
Joe Eszterhas, Éva Gárdos, Géza Bereményi, Réka Divinyi Screenplay
János Vecsernyés, Buda Gulyás Director of photography
Annamária Szántó Komlóssy, Éva Gárdos Editor
Nick Glennie-Smith Music
János Kőporosy, János Csáki Sound
János Szabolcs Visual design
Beatrix Aruna Pásztor Costumes
Andrew G. Vajna, Sándor Demján, S. Tamás Zákonyi, Clive Parsons Producer
GIBS Ltd., Flashback Ltd., Film and General Productions / UK Production company
Kata Dobó, Iván Fenyő, Sándor Csányi, Zsolt Huszár, Viktória Szávai, Tamás Jordán, Krisztián Kolovratnik, Károly Gesztesi, Ildikó Bánsági, Antal Czapkó, Péter Haumann, Tamás Keresztes, Dániel Gábor Cast

Awards

St. Louis IFF - 2007 Audience Choice Award for Best International Feature
Aichi International Women - 2007 Main Prize

Festivals

Zagreb Film Festival - 2007
Copenhagen CPH:PIX - 2007
Berlinale - Berlin International Film Festival - 2007
Hong Kong International Film Festival - 2007
Dublin International Film Festival - 2008
Lagów International Film Festival - 2007
Vlissingen Film by the Sea - 2007
Bangkok International Film Festival - 2007 (in competition)
Palm Springs International Film Festival - 2008
Cluj-Napoca Transilvania - 2008
Jerusalem International Film Festival - 2007
Edinburgh International Film Festival - 2007

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