Budapest on film

“Hungary and Budapest offer great locations and a well-equipped infrastructure for film productions. For instance, Hungary has the largest water tank in continental Europe, which was used in "Blade Runner 2049,” Andy Vajna tells CNN Travel.

CNN Travel has delivered a report on Hungary, showcasing Budapest's stunning film locations. Journalist Nathan Kay writes that Budapest's starring role in various film productions has become more and more frequent.

The stunning Hungarian capital has provided a backdrop for many big budget flicks, including “Blade Runner 2049,” “Red Sparrow,” “Inferno,” Spy,” “Evita,” “Atomic Blonde,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” and there's even more to come, Kay writes.

Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie, Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford and Jennifer Lawrence have all made this destination home while shooting in the area. The report states that new releases “Colette,” “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” The Terror” and “Robin Hood,” have brought even more big names to Budapest in recent months.

Thanks to investments made by the Hungarian National Film Fund, the country's movie industry has become one of the most influential movements in Europe's film business.

Kay writes that during its classic period, which lasted throughout the 1950s and '60s, the country's film industry was more synonymous with its Communist-era past.

This all changed in the early 2010s, when Hungarian-born producer Andy Vajna, the man behind “Terminator,” and “Rambo,” helped Hungary break into the modern movie business when he took over as the country's film commissioner.

“We created an attractive tax incentive scheme for the productions,” Vajna tells CNN Travel, referring to the 25 percent tax rebate for which films produced in Hungary are eligible.

“We don't just put focus on developing and financing Hungarian movies, the Hungarian National Film Fund also started an education and trainee program to strengthen the Hungarian film industry.”

This means that, not only are big budget films being shot throughout Hungary and Budapest, the country is also building its very own flourishing film industry -- evident in the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning production “Son of Saul,” as well as Golden Bear winner “On Body and Soul.”

Kay has showcased ten stunning Budapest movie locations in his article including Parliament, Heroes' Square, Basilica and more.

Check out the full article here.

(Source: About Hungary)

June, 2018