celebrity

Special opportunity: Try Queen Elizabeth II’s royal meal at the iconic Gundel Palace in Budapest

Gundel restaurant Budapest Gundel Palace

In celebration of its 130th anniversary, Budapest’s iconic Gundel Palace debuts the Celebrities Menu, featuring dishes once served to notable guests. For ten days in early July, diners can enjoy a recreated four-course meal inspired by Queen Elizabeth II’s 1993 visit, offering a taste of the restaurant’s storied past.

Gundel Palace’s 130th anniversary

As Világgazdaság reports, Budapest’s iconic Gundel restaurant marks its 130th anniversary with a special gastronomic tribute, the Celebrities Menu, celebrating notable guests it has hosted throughout its rich history. This innovative offering allows guests to experience the exact menus served during significant events held at the restaurant. The first menu in this series commemorates Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Budapest in 1993, offering a unique opportunity for diners to indulge in a royal feast.

For a limited ten-day period starting on 8th July, Gundel will present a meticulously recreated four-course menu inspired by the Queen’s historic lunch. This special initiative was announced at a press conference attended by Károly Gundel, the great-grandson of the restaurant’s original owner.

Gundel Coffee House and Confectionery 19
Gundel Cafe Patisserie Restaurant
Source: facebook.com/gundelrestaurant

Queen Elizabeth II’s lunch at Gundel

During Queen Elizabeth II’s visit on 5th May, 1993, she and Prince Philip of Edinburgh enjoyed a grand lunch at Gundel Palace, an experience now accessible to all through the Celebrities Menu series. According to Gundel Palace, the preparation of the lunch was quite special:

Before the celebratory lunch, the kitchen prepared 10 test menus to make sure they fit into the 1 hour 40 minutes available. Of course, in addition to speed, quality was also a priority. The menu was written by hand and the waiters were taught a special choreography.

Gundel Palace, now operated by the Eventrend Group since 2021, strives to maintain the high standards and inclusive philosophy set by its founder. The new menu crafted by chef Kálmán Kalla, encapsulates this vision, ensuring that the Gundel experience is available to a wider audience.

The menu

The royal menu is a true culinary journey. The first course is pink-smoked salmon with white asparagus and sage dressing, followed by a double broth of pigeon. The main course features the so-called Braided Veal -à la Queen Elizabeth, braided veal tenderloin, thin potato whips, stuffed with Hungarian rice and goose liver stuffed with mushrooms. Ready for dessert? Trompe l’Oeil of Spring Strawberries is a crown-shaped pastry, crisp and decorated with real and parfait strawberries. This exquisite meal is complemented by Gundel Palace’s selection of wines, including a rare 1952 vintage Tokaj aszú, honouring the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne.

Following the ten-day summer offering, the Four Crowns menu may return in the autumn, accompanied by other special guest menus. These menus will be available in two-, three- and four-course options, priced around HUF 20,000 (EUR 51.26), reflecting the restaurant’s average consumption rate per guest.

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Bill Murray visiting an old friend in Hungary

Bill Murray

It is not a new sensation that celebrities visit our country, as several Hollywood stars have been shooting in Budapest lately. Bill Murray’s case is exceptional: he did not come to Hungary for filming, but to visit an old friend in Tököl.

Bill Murray, the Golden Globe-winning actor and comedian arrived in Hungary on Saturday. Blikk managed to make an interview with him, in which he stated that he liked Budapest very much, and since he had never visited the country before, there were several things that he found new and interesting during his trip to Hungary. The actor, who starred in the beloved Ghostbusters franchise, and award-winning movies such as Grand Budapest Hotel and Lost in Translation, arrived in Hungary in complete secrecy, apart from his hosts and the lucky ones who happened to meet him, no one knew that he was here.

Visiting an old friend

Murray’s friend, Michael Stenger and his wife, Éva live in Tököl, where they hosted the star. He told Blikk that he was working as a limousine driver in New York when he met Murray after defecting from Hungary in 1956. After that, he saw Bill more and more often, whom he took home after many of his performances, and slowly they became good friends. “I’ve known Michael for 30 years”, Murray added.

He just finished shooting a movie in Germany, so he took the opportunity and flew to Hungary to say hello to his old friend. Although Murray had promised Stenger many times before that he would visit him in Hungary, the family was really surprised when they got a message from the star that he wrote from the plane: “I’m on my way to you.”

Bill Murray is a fan of Hungarian cuisine

His friend also told Blikk in the interview that he was particularly interested in Hungarian food. He had Gypsy roast for lunch two days ago, and he really wants to try chicken paprikash next. He became a fan of Unicum too: Murray said that after drinking some of the Hungarian liquor, he instantly felt calmer and it helped him quiet his mind. He also said that he really enjoyed driving around the countryside and Budapest. They also went to a wine festival in the city and wanted to listen to Gypsy music too. Index spotted, that on Monday, he had dinner in a restaurant called Éjjeli Bagoly, and posed for photos with the crew.

Bill Murray in Budapest
Photo: PrtScr from FB / Éjjeli Bagoly Étterem és Panzió

“Bill gets up early in the morning, has a cup of coffee, then goes back to bed and sleeps for another hour or two. He doesn’t have any star behaviour: imagine that this guy has never picked cherries from a tree in his life. He did it in our garden for the first time, and ate them in a way that he was covered in cherry juice”, Stenger added.

On Monday, they visited Dörgicse and the Kaáli Car and Motorcycle Museum. He arrived with his friends in the early afternoon and found the old vehicles fascinating. He wandered for hours among the cars, listening to Professor Kaáli’s stories about the vehicles.

According to Blikk, he likes to stay out of the spotlight, but he is happy to pose for a photo together when he walks around Budapest. The actor will continue his trip to Greece on Tuesday, where he is expected to attend a golf tournament.

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Hilarious: Ryan Reynolds called Budapest the “Hawaii of Central Europe”

Ryan Reynolds has spent the last several weeks in Hungary, filming his upcoming action movie called Mayday. The actor seems to have enjoyed the Hungarian capital: he posed for a selfie in front of the Museum of Fine Arts the other day, jokingly describing Budapest as “the Hawaii of Central Europe”.

Ryan Reynolds filming in Budapest

As DNH previously reported, much to the excitement of his local fans, Ryan Reynolds of Deadpool fame has been spending the last couple of weeks in Budapest filming his next movie titled Mayday.

According to IMDb, the film is already in post-production, but the plot and most of the cast are still top secret. What we do know so far is that it will be an action film, set sometime in the Cold War era. The film has been in production since March: filming began in Montreal and San Diego, with the Hungarian leg of the shoot being the final stage of the process.

The film is written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who also worked together on the hit films Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Besides Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh and Maria Bakalova are set to star in the main roles in the historical movie.

Ryan Reynolds was accompanied by his actress wife Blake Lively and their four children, and fortunately, the actor seems to have enjoyed his time in the country during the shoot. Reynolds, who has a famously good sense of humour among Hollywood stars, posted an Instagram story about Budapest, praising the city.

He posed for a selfie in front of the Museum of Fine Arts and posted the picture with the playful caption:

“Loved every second working in Budapest. Many call it the ‘Hawaii of Central Europe’ and even though nobody calls it that, it’s warm, and beautiful and endlessly fascinating.”

And in the corner of the picture, he also put a Hungarian flag emoji.

ryan reynolds hungary hawaii
Ryan Reynolds’ Instagram story in front of the Museum Screenshot via Instagram: @vancityreynolds

Not everyone got Ryan Reynolds’ joke

It was 444.hu that spotted the fact that Ryan Reynolds’ joke had reached Hungarian political circles, too. However, as the site writes, it seems like the punchline did not quite get there. Balázs Orbán, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s political director, shared a screenshot of the actor’s Instagram story on Twitter. Seeming to take Reynolds’ humorous caption about Hungary being likened to Hawaii quite at face value, he tweeted:

Welcome to the heart and ‘Hawaii of Central Europe’ aka #Budapest @VancityReynolds!

Ryan Reynolds is not the only star who loved working in the country

As we have reported multiple times, several Hollywood stars have been shooting in Budapest lately. Indeed, Daily News Hungary wrote here about how the Hungarian film industry has been booming in recent years, with many productions seeking the expertise of Budapest filmmakers.

A few months ago, for example, Mark Ruffalo thanked several of his Hungarian colleagues on Instagram for their work during the filming of the Oscar winner Yorgos Lanthimos production, Poor Things. Similarly, Austin Butler and Christoper Walken had only words of praise for Budapest when talking about their experiences in the country during the filming of the second part of the sci-fi epic Dune.

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5 Hungarian songs that were sampled by well-known foreign artists – VIDEOS

Omega Kanye West British ITV

Many Hungarian songs appear in world-famous artists’ discographies, as numerous artists have used their rhythm and melodies as inspiration for their hits.

studio, song sample by
Photo: depositphotos.com

Sampling songs

Sampling is one of the most used methods in the process of making music. Reusing a portion of a sound recording, its melody, rhythm, speech or sound effects can be considered the foundation of hip-hop music, but other genres tend to do it, especially in the 21st century. There are several cases when world-famous musical artist have integrated Hungarian songs into their music, here’s a list of the best-known ones.

Gyöngyhajú Lány by Omega (1969) – New Slaves by Kanye West (2013)

The track Gyöngyhajú lány (Pearl-haired girl) is probably the best-known sample in the list. Unfortunately, the rapper used the band’s song without permission in his track New Slaves, so Gábor Presser, the songwriter sued him in 2016. Since then, they settled the case out of court. Gyöngyhajú Lány was not only a domestic success as it is one of the most well-known songs among Hungarians, it was a hit overseas as well.

Visz a vonat by Zsuzsa Koncz (1970) – We Will Always Love You by The Avalanches feat. Blood Orange (2020)

During her nearly sixty-year career, Zsuzsa Koncz became one of the defining personalities of Hungarian popular music. She was primarily known for his poetry albums and songs with political content some of them were even banned before the regime change. The track Visz a vonat was released in 1970 in the album called Szerelem (Love). The Australian music group, Avalanches released their song We Will Always Love You featuring Blood Orange in 2020, and the song contains a sample from Zsuzsa Koncz’s, and two other tracks as well.

Add már, uram az esőt by Kati Kovács (1972) – Woohoo by Christina Aguilera feat. Nicki Minaj (2010)

Add már, uram az esőt was performed for the first time in 1972 and became the winning song of the Táncdal Festival (literally Festival of dance music) in the same year. The track was released in English and German and won an award in Dresden too. Christina Aguilera used a sample of it in her song Woohoo featuring Nicki Minaj in 2010, and released it as a single for her album titled Bionic.

A Siker by Locomotiv GT (1982) – Breeze by Prodigy and The Alchemist (2013)

Locomotive GT (or just LGT) was one of the most influential bands of Hungarian rock music. They not only toured in several European countries but also performed at festivals in Japan, the UK and the USA. Their song A Siker (Success) was released in 1982. Prodigy sampled the track in 2013 on their album called Albert Einstein in the song Breeze.

Lehajtott Fejjel by Generál (1972) – Worlds to Run by Busdriver, Milo and Anderson .Paak (2015)

Worlds to Run, a track featuring the 8-time Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak samples Lehajtott Fejjel by the Hungarian band Generál, a defining musical group of the 70s. Strangely, Generál was more popular abroad than in Hungary, where they performed in stadiums in front of thousands of people at that time. In addition to the GDR and Poland, they also toured West Berlin and the Netherlands. The song Worlds to Run was written by Busdriver, an American rapper based in Los Angeles, and was released in 2015.

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VIDEO: Red-star Soviet tanks appear in the heart of Budapest

red-star Soviet tanks in Budapest Mayday

Anyone who passed by Heroes’ Square over the weekend must have been surprised to see red flags strung from the lampposts and red-star Soviet tanks marching near the square. Yes, another film production has transported Budapest back to the communist era.

There is no need to worry – the Russians have not returned. Thankfully, it is just the adventure film *Mayday* being shot in the Hungarian capital.

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh will star in this American film, with the story focusing on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. Details – Exciting: Budapest becomes Ryan Reynolds’ home for a few months

This event could be of particular interest to enthusiasts of old Soviet tanks. Despite their age, the military equipment on display was in excellent condition. The display included T-54/55 Soviet tanks, at least one T-72A, a KUB air defence system, a BTR-60 armoured personnel carrier and some Ural and ZISz-150 / ZIL-164 trucks towing a BUK anti-aircraft missile. A Topol ballistic missile was also part of the arsenal behind the erected pavilion, according to portfolio.hu.

The exact origins of the red-star Soviet tanks and other combat vehicles are unknown; however, companies in the US and Hungary stock dozens of military and replica vehicles specifically for filmmakers.

Watch the video of the combat vehicles, made by a Hungarian blogger:

Red-star Soviet tanks in Budapest – VIDEO:

  • Read also: Huge rocket passed through the centre of Budapest – VIDEO

VIDEO, PHOTOS: boxing legend Holyfield shadowboxes in Hungarian Parliament, meets with Orbán

Holyfield in Budapest, Hungary

Boxing legend Evander Holyfield bid farewell to Budapest in his own unique way. He performed shadowboxing in the hall of one of Hungary’s most beautiful buildings and made a video to commemorate the occasion.

Holyfield attended the Vasas Jégcentrum for Friday night’s professional gala, which featured a farewell bout for the famous Hungarian boxer Balázs Bacskai. The event was a success, with Bacskai triumphing over Denmark’s Kim Poulsen in the main event of the evening and securing the WBO European middleweight title belt from star guest Evander Holyfield.

Holyfield, the American boxing legend, also met Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who hosted him and his wife at the Karmelita.

 

Holyfield, who competed from 1984 to 2011, first became the undisputed champion at cruiserweight in the late 1980s and at heavyweight in the early 1990s. He remains the only boxer in history to win undisputed titles in two weight classes during the three-belt era. Nicknamed “The Real Deal”, Holyfield is the only four-time heavyweight world champion, holding the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles from 1990 to 1992, the WBA and IBF titles from 1993 to 1994, a third WBA title from 1996 to 1999, the IBF title for a third time from 1997 to 1999 and the WBA title for a fourth time from 2000 to 2001.

One of his most memorable fights was the legendary Las Vegas bout where Mike Tyson infamously bit his ear.

Holyfield participated in several events while in Budapest:

 

Holyfield has now also bid goodbye to the Hungarian capital on his Instagram. The description of his post suggests that Holyfield plans to return to Hungary. He also posted a video showcasing his shadowboxing moves on his social media platform.

 

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Tax breaks and thermal spas make the film industry love Hungary

film industry set hungary second filmmaking hub

During a panel discussion at the Cannes Film Festival, several film professionals gave their thoughts on the Hungarian film industry. In addition to the tax incentives, they highlighted the professionalism and the cultural attractions of Hungary as attractive factors to consider when looking for a place to shoot.

The Hollywood Reporter published an article detailing a recent panel discussion during the Cannes Film Festival, where film commissionaire Csaba Káel, and producers Ildikó Kemény, Robert Lantos, and Mike Goodridge discussed the reasons filmmakers bring their productions to Hungary, and their experiences filming in the country.

“Whenever I have a project that needs a European-looking city, my direct path is to Budapest,”

producer Robert Lantos said.

Indeed, several large productions have been filmed in the country in recent years, from the sci-fi epic Dune to Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest, Poor Things. Ildikó Kemény, who was a producer of Poor Things, said

“We had hundreds of Hungarians working on that film. There was a big competition amongst many countries of where they would be filming [Poor Things] and we won out because of the economics. […] Now, we are up to four or five productions this year, just our company.”

poor things filming origo studios budapest
On the set of Poor Things at the Origo Studios. Photo: Origo Studios Budapest / Facebook

The Hungarian film industry soars – with talent to back it up

Csaba Káel highlighted how commercial film production in Hungary dates back to the early 1900s and has since soared to unseen heights. Only the United Kingdom has more film production than Hungary. According to the Hungarian National Film Institute, the total spending on production in 2023 in the country reached USD 910 million, a record high, and nearly four times the amount spent in 2018.

To facilitate even more creative collaborations, the National Film Institute is expanding its studio complex with four new soundstages, increasing its total area to over 12 thousand square meters.

Moreover, while previously, international productions would often bring their own crews to the country, the National Film Institute has now set out to train local talent to enter the film industry. A new training program has been set up for professionals, where they can participate in workshops and lectures, and undertake internships.

Their efforts have been successful, so much so that in recent years, over 80 percent of the crew working on these big-budget movies have been Hungarians. One such example that The Hollywood Reporter highlights is Zsuzsa Mihalek, who received this year’s Academy Award for the production design of Poor Things.

Robert Lantos, who produced Rise of the Raven in the country, said that the professionals of the Hungarian film industry created a perfect set for the series, which had a sprawling story encompassing Middle Age Europe under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. “The construction and carpentry in Hungary is unlike any place I’ve ever work [sic]. So, we made the decision to build and, boy, did we build,” Lantos said.

Káel added that the larger country-wide initiative to restore and preserve old castles in the region is particularly favourable for filmmakers looking to set their movies in old-timey castles.

Origo Studios Budapest Stages
Stages of the Origo Studios Budapest. Photo: Origo Studios / Facebook

Hungary offers a robust tax rebate program and local attractions

Perhaps most importantly, since 2004, Hungary has implemented a tax refund program that offers every movie produced in the country a 30 percent rebate based on its expenditure.

Robert Lantos emphasised how important this tax legislation is for the vitality of the Hungarian film industry, saying “I can say that of all the places in the world where I have made films where the rebate is most guaranteed to function smoothly is in Hungary.”

“Filming in Hungary offers everything from a massive amount of production space and a 20-year strong tax rebate to eight symphony orchestras and thermal baths,”

The Hollywood Reporter wrote. Besides tax cuts and attractions, easy access to the rest of Europe, a large hospitality industry, and good food all attract filmmakers to the country, the panelists agreed.

Mike Goodridge said about the film industry in Hungary:

“Look at the big stars and talent that have worked in Hungary. They are comfortable there and that is an important thing. You can have all the tax incentives you like but you also have to have a base of comfort for demanding foreigners.”

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VIDEO: Huge rocket passed through the centre of Budapest

rocket in budapest

Many were speechless when what appeared to be a considerable rocket was carried through downtown Budapest on Saturday afternoon.

A video of the incident has been released, with the video maker raising several questions. “What could this be? What could it be: a missile, a construction element, or some other military device? Why is it being carried through the city centre?” Among the comments, several people wrote that this is the set of an American film being shot in the capital. Mayday, an action-adventure film for Apple TV+, stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh. According to one commenter, the area was also entirely full of retro cars because of the filming.

As we reported earlier, more world stars have arrived in Budapest. Any time during the month, eagle-eyed fans can catch Ryan Reynolds and his actress wife Blake Lively, who have booked the presidential suite of a downtown hotel, where Lively will spend time with their four children in the utmost luxury while her husband is filming the Cold War action movie Mayday in the Hungarian capital. Details HERE: Budapest becomes Ryan Reynolds’ home for a few months

You can watch a video of the huge rocket here:

 

@akulifai Ma délután készült ez Budapest belvárosában! Vajon mi lehet ez? Rakéta, építési elem, vagy egyéb hadászati eszköz? Miért a belvároson keresztül viszik? #foryou #budapest #belváros #háború #honvédség #magyar #nekedbelegyen ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral – WZ Beat

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World-known celebrities bring their wines to Hungary: try the drinks of Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, Brad Pitt!

avasi wine tour 2023 wines Hungarian wine

If you’re a fan of (Hungarian) wines, we’ve got just the perfect event for you this week! The programme of the XIIth Avasi Wine Tour (XII. Avasi Borangolás) will be further expanded this year: visitors will be able to taste the wines of real world stars in Miskolc between 16-19 May.

From Thursday, the 12th edition of the Avasi Wine Tour will feature 62 wineries at 80 venues in Miskolc. If you’re looking for music programmes, you will not be bored either: 18 concerts will be held on three stages, while street musicians will add to the atmosphere in the cellar rows and wine cellars, turizmus.com reports.

avasi wine tour 2023
Photo: borangolas.hu

The organisers have prepared a number of novelties this year: for example, wines from the wineries of famous people who have made their mark in film, music or sporting history will be brought to festival-goers.

World-known celebrities’ wines to Hungary

  • Andrés Iniesta, former FC Barcelona and Spanish national team star midfielder turned world and European champion will showcase his best wines;
  • Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s masterpieces come straight from the heart of the film world in California;
  • the wines of Sting, the British star of international pop music, come to us from Tuscany;
  • Hampton Water, the French winery that Jon Bon Jovi shares with his son Jesse, will also be showcased at the XIIth Avasi Wine Tour;
  • One of the defining voices of soul, r’n’b and pop, Mary J. Blige’s Sun Goddess label will also be on show at the festival;
  • Snoop Dogg’s own wine,
  • and special rosé champagnes from Chateau Miraval, the Brad Pitt brand, will also be on offer for those attending the event.

Wines from Hungary can be tasted as well

In addition to the wines of these world stars, a wide range of Hungarian wineries will also be represented at the Miskolc festival. What is more, it’s not just the wine list that is new to the festival, but also the music genres. Visitors who choose the bar pianists’ concerts late on a Friday evening will be treated to a real special experience, turizmus.com writes.

avasi wine tour 2023 2
Photo: borangolas.hu

In 2024, the Avasi Wine Tour will be extended to four days. The first two days after the professional day will be dedicated to the lively and bustling music and dance programmes, together with wine-tasting, while on the fourth day, festival-goers are invited to a picnic. The renovated Avasi Lookout (Avasi kilátó) and its surroundings will be a new venue.

All but one of the Avasi Wine Tasting events are free of charge. For the Áts Károly x Günzer Tamás wine tasting, advance ticket purchase is required.

avasi wine tour 2022
Photo: borangolas.hu

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Exciting: Budapest becomes Ryan Reynolds’ home for a few months

Ryan Reynolds

The Hungarian capital is often visited by Hollywood stars, as many films are shot here. Now, no other than Ryan Reynolds is staying in our beloved country for a few months. According to sources, he arrived yesterday, so you can bump into him on the beautiful streets of Budapest. Naturally, he is accompanied by his wife, Blake Lively.

Arriving to Budapest

International celebrities have touched down in Budapest. As reported by Blikk, lucky individuals will have the chance to encounter one of Hollywood’s most entertaining figures, Ryan Reynolds, renowned for his success in the Deadpool franchise alongside his actress spouse Blake Lively. Allegedly, the couple has secured the presidential suite at a central hotel, where Lively will enjoy lavish accommodations with their four children while Reynolds immerses himself in filming a Cold War action thriller in the city. The family is planned to spend one month in the lavish mansion that is described as the following:

From the stunning views of the Danube and the rooftops of Budapest, to the crystal chandeliers, handmade glass mosaics, unique furniture, marble-clad electric fireplaces and gilded bathrooms, no expense has been spared in creating this space that offers guests an experience of being in a royal palace.

Where to meet them?

The couple appreciates privacy, thus they have strict rules regarding their stay in the Hungarian capital. Most importantly, Ryan Reynolds and his wife aim to protect their children from the public eye. They do not want any pictures taken of them. It was therefore laid down in advance that all meals would be served in the suite. In addition, when they leave it, it is strictly forbidden to approach them or even ask for a picture with any of them. According to Blikk, not only babysitters but also security people travel with the family. Therefore, it will be impossible to approach them.

About Ryan Reynolds’ new film

Ryan Reynolds is filming MayDay in Budapest, starring British actor Kenneth Branagh, directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. The film has been in production since March, with crews working in Montreal and San Diego, and the Hungarian shoot is the final stage of filming.

Ryan Reynolds
Source: depositphotos.com

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Dominik’s favourite: Hungarian Liverpool star Szoboszlai collaborates with McDonald’s!

dominik szoboszlai mcdonalds collaboration

Dominik Szoboszlai, the captain of the Hungarian national football team and Liverpool midfielder, has signed a long-term, multi-year partnership with McDonald’s Hungary.

As the first step of the partnership, fans will be able to taste Szoboszlai‘s favourite McDonald’s menu at the Szoboszlai Live event on 30 May, which will be available to everyone after 4 June. As part of the partnership, the national footballer will also support the work of the local Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation (Ronald McDonald Gyermeksegély Alapítvány).

dominik szoboszlai mcdonalds collaboration
Dominik Szoboszlai to collaborate with McDonald’s Hungary. Photo: McDonald’s

Anyone can have a favourite McDonald’s menu. That’s the idea behind the Famous Orders Super Bowl spot in the US in 2020. Buoyed by the success of the commercial, McDonald’s took the idea a step further by allowing fans to order their favourite celebrity’s favourite McDonald’s menu. Famous Orders has now moved beyond the world of advertising and become a real restaurant offering.

In recent years, the brand has worked primarily with music artists globally, including Travis Scott, J Balvin and BTS. Dominik Szoboszlai’s menu of his favourite McDonald’s products will be the first to be served in Hungary, marking the launch of the globally successful programme in the country.

“No matter how successful or famous you are, anyone can have a favourite McDonald’s menu. That’s the idea behind McDonald’s Famous Orders campaign. When we were planning the domestic launch, it was a no-brainer to work with a true global star here at home. We’ve decided to launch our local McDonald’s Favourites campaign with an exciting unique selection of Dominik’s favourites.

We hope to delight our guests and Dominik’s fans alike with this menu. We plan to work together over several years, during which Dominik will also be involved in the mission of the Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year,” said Zsolt Égi, Managing Director of Progress Restaurant Network Ltd. (Progress Étteremhálózat Kft.), which operates McDonald’s restaurants in Hungary.

The “Domi Mekis kedvence” (Dominik’s McDonald’s favourite) menu will be accompanied by a 360-degree national communication campaign.

“It’s been mentioned several times before that I have a natural relationship with McDonald’s. After a success or achievement, McDonald’s often came into the picture. It is a great feeling and an honour to be a partner of such a global brand. It’s special for me to be the first to introduce my favourites to McDonald’s fans in this country, and to join the ranks of world star performers and athletes,” said Dominik Szoboszlai.

What are some of Dominik’s McDonald’s favourites? Find out at the Szoboszlai Live event on 30 May.

Read also:

Exciting: Hollywood ‘supervillain’ and other movie stars take Budapest by storm in May!

Hollywood's 'supervillain' and other movie stars come to Budapest in May

The ultimate ‘supervillain’ of Hollywood, the world-known sibling of Julia Roberts, comes to Budapest in May for an international event, attracting large flocks of visitors to the mesmerising Hungarian capital.

Hollywood ‘supervillain’ in Budapest

According to Hungarian tabloid Blikk, we may bump into another superstar in Budapest this May. Eric Roberts, the daredevil brother of Julia Roberts and Hollywood’s go-to supervillain in blockbusters spanning the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, is set to shake things up in the Hungarian capital.

At 67, this iconic actor boasts an impressive resume, having appeared in over 230 flicks and TV shows, making him a household name worldwide.

Eric Roberts is gearing up for a Budapest adventure over the Pentecost weekend, ready to dive into the wild world of comic book fandom at the Budapest Comic Con on 18th and 19th May.

Hollywood's 'supervillain' and other movie stars come to Budapest in May
Photo: Instagram/Eric Roberts

“Hy guys! This is Eric Roberts. I am looking forward to coming to Budapest Comic Con on May 18 and 19 to meet my wonderful fans. Can’t wait, see you soon!”, shared Eric Roberts, hyping up his Hungarian fans. Check out the video Comic Con recently posted:

Star-studded Budapest Comic Con

Notable films Roberts has appeared in include Raggedy Man (1981), The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), Final Analysis (1992), The Specialist (1994), The Cable Guy (1996), Cecil B. Demented (2000), National Security (2003), A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006), The Dark Knight (2008), The Expendables (2010), Lovelace (2013), Inherent Vice (2014), The Human Centipede 3 (2015), and Babylon (2022). He also played in the NBC drama Heroes (2007–2010), the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless (2010–2011), the legal drama Suits (2014–2019) and the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones (2022).

But wait, there’s more! Joining Eric Roberts at Budapest Comic Con is a killer lineup of silver-screen legends. Expect to rub shoulders with Canadian sensation Alexander Ludwig, celebrated for his portrayal of Björn Ironside in the acclaimed Vikings series.

Hollywood's 'supervillain' and other movie stars come to Budapest in May
Alexander Ludwig. Photo: Instagram/Alexander Ludwig

And that’s not all! The fun doesn’t stop there – Deep Roy (from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fame), Graham McTavish (aka Dwalin from The Hobbit) and Erick Avari (the guy from Stargate, Independence Day and The Mummy) are all set to make appearances and rock the Hungarian scene.

Check it out – he’s even dropped a video greeting for his fans:

Read also:

  • Famous Hollywood movies shot in Hungary – check them out HERE
  • Wall of Hollywood filmmakers with Hungarian roots inaugurated in Budapest – PHOTOS and more in THIS article

London’s Victoria&Albert Museum’s DIVA exhibition travels to Budapest to open next month

London's Victoria&Albert Museum's DIVA exhibition travels to Budapest to open next month

DIVA, a large-scale exhibition from London’s Victoria&Albert Museum showcasing costumes and the life of iconic performers will be on display in in the House of Music Hungary (Magyar Zene Háza) in Budapest on its first journey abroad from May 18, the organisers said on Tuesday.

DIVA exhibition in Budapest

The DIVA exhibition, viewed so far in London by 300,000 visitors, will present dresses worn on stage by Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Cher, Maria Callas, Edith Piaf, Ingrid Bergman, Billie Eilish, Rihanna and Bjork, the statement said. The Budapest exhibition will also present the costumes and life stories of Hungarian performers such as opera diva Éva Marton, actresses Lujza Blaha and Katalin Karády, and singers Zsuza Koncz, Zsuzsa Cserháti, Zséda, Bori Péterfy and Déva,it added.

Divas&Icons

“When working out the narrative, we sought to showcase personalities fit to present the[V&A] exhibition’s original messages. The Budapest exhibition entitled Divas&Icons will reflect the diversity of the music scene,” the statement quoted András Batta, the House of Music’s managing director, as saying.

Márton Horn, the institution’s operative director, said the Budapest exhibition will feature hundreds of items from international collections and the House of Music’s collection covering design, costumes, photography, fashion, film, and music.

It will display several costumes for the first time on 800sms, including the dress worn on stage by Maria Callas as Norma in 1952, Marilyn Monroe’s black dress from Some Like It Hot (1959), and iconic pieces designed by the legendary Bob Mackie.

Hungary’s Éva Marton has offered the costume she wore on stage in Verdi’s Don Carlos for the exhibition.

DIVA exhibition – Information

Venue: Magyar Zene Háza/House of Music Hungary – Budapest, Olof Palme stny. 3, 1146

The Budapest show will run from 18 May to 15 September. Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00

Ticket prices: 5 200 HUF (weekday), 5 900 HUF (weekend).

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Benedict Cumberbatch is the “new resident” of Madame Tussauds Budapest – photos

Benedict Cumberbatch is the "new resident" of Madame Tussauds Budapest

Starting today, Benedict Cumberbatch is the “new resident” of Madame Tussauds Budapest. The wax figure of the actor who portrays Sherlock Holmes arrived in Dorottya Street from Vienna and will stay for a few months. The Embassy of the United Kingdom and the Hungarian British Chamber of Commerce also attended the unveiling ceremony of Cumberbatch’s figure, besides his permanent Hungarian dubbing voice, Kornél Simon also met him.

The number of stars per square meter on Dorottya Street has increased again. Madame Tussauds Budapest has unveiled a new figure, none other than Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch. Most people know the English actor as Sherlock Holmes or Doctor Strange in the Marvel series. Cumberbatch is one of the most sought-after British actors, and the directors like to cast him as an intelligent, upper-class, gentlemanly character due to his appearance and distinctive voice. The British star is also one of the main characters in Wes Anderson’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, which was awarded in the Best Short Film category at the latest Oscar ceremony.

Benedict Cumberbatch also participated in the creation of the figure. Each wax figure is made over several months in a special studio of Madame Tussauds near London, with the involvement of craftsmen, artists and other professionals. In many cases, the subject cooperates with the crew, as did the English actor. Cumberbatch even attached a few strands of hair to the head of his figure.

The figure of the actor was inaugurated at a British-inspired event, attended by the Embassy of the United Kingdom and the Hungarian British Chamber of Commerce.

The wax figure of Benedict Cumberbatch is sitting on the arm of an armchair, so visitors can sit next to him and try out the interactive panels. In 2015, the actor was appointed a CBE and received the honour from the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. According to this, he earned recognition for his outstanding work in performing arts and his charitable activities.

Benedict Cumberbatch is not only one of the most popular actors in the world but a fascinating, versatile personality. He speaks six languages fluently, in addition to his native English, he also knows Japanese, German, Portuguese, Chinese and Greek. He volunteered as an English teacher in a Tibetan monastery in Darjeeling, India for one year. In addition to his film roles, he often undertakes stage work and lends his distinctive voice to video games, documentaries, commercials and radio programs.

Benedict Cumberbatch is the "new resident" of Madame Tussauds Budapest
Benedict Cumberbatch is the “new resident” of Madame Tussauds Budapest

„My first encounter with Benedict Cumberbatch took place on a hot summer day at the dubbing studio. I could not stand due to an insect bite, so I worked sitting on a bar and stool and the air conditioner broke down. It was a difficult start, but I’m very happy that since that day I can continuously provide the voice of the actor. He is a perfect, precise artistic machine and perfected his distant keeping techniques. Personally, the Imitation Game was my favorite of his films”

– said Kornél Simon.

Benedict Cumberbatch is the "new resident" of Madame Tussauds Budapest
Benedict Cumberbatch is the “new resident” of Madame Tussauds Budapest

 

„The arrival of the figure of Benedict and the special world we created around him is another proof that something exciting is always happening at Madame Tussauds Budapest. Thanks to the unique, 130-square-meter LED wall of our Cinema Café, we turned the venue into an English library room at the push of a button, so that our guests could take photos with a truly British gentleman in an authentic environment”,

said Zsuzsanna Óhidi, Operational Director of Madame Tussauds Budapest.

Our visit: Madame Tussauds Budapest is very Hungarian – Photo gallery

6 outstanding films you might not have known were shot in Hungary

Dune

Budapest has become the second most popular filming location in Europe after London, with more and more international productions coming to Hungary.

Hungary has been an in-demand destination for filmmakers for a long time. Classics, such as the 1996 musical drama Evita, and the 1998 The Phantom of the Opera were both filmed in Budapest at various historical sites. However, as we reported earlier, Hungary is bustling with productions now more than ever, bringing superstars to the capital such as Austin Butler, Zendaya, and Timothée Chalamet. Here are some recent films that were at least partly shot in the country.

The Martian (2015)

Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2011 novel about an astronaut trying to survive on Mars stars Hollywood superstar Matt Damon as its titular character. The story follows both Damon’s Mark Watney in his scramble to survive being stranded on the red planet, as well as a team of scientists on Earth racing to save his life. In the movie, the NASA facility in which the scientists work is the iconic Budapest Whale, while the MÜPA Performing Arts Center acts as a Chinese space complex.

martian korda filmpark bálna
The Budapest Whale as a NASA facility. Photo: Korda Filmpark / Facebook

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Blade Runner 2049 is a sequel to the iconic 1982 film, starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford. It was filmed in Hungarian studios and in and outside of Budapest. Shooting took place partly at the soundstages of Korda Studios in Etyek and ORIGO Studios in Budapest.

However, some scenes were captured in central Budapest, as the city’s brutalist Soviet-era architecture provided a vivid background for the futuristic neo-noir landscape of the Blade Runner universe. The old and now empty Stock Exchange Palace, in turn, served as the interior for a Las Vegas casino in the film.

Korda FilmPark Blade Runner
Ryan Gosling during the shooting of Blade Runner 2049 in Hungary
Source: facebook.com/KordaFilmpark/

Black Widow (2021)

Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Widow tells the story of Natasha Romanoff, a spy and assassin of the Avengers team. Throughout the film, you can spot Budapest’s Citadel, Keleti Railway Station, the Stock Exchange Palace, and even the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. As the capital is quite integral for the character’s backstory, in these scenes, Budapest does not have to be a double for another European city.

Scarlett Johanson Black Widow film Budapest
Still from the Black Widow trailer. Marvel Entertainment / YouTube

Dune: Part One (2021) and Part Two (2024)

Denis Villeneuve returned to Hungary with his two latest projects, the first and second part of the adaptation of the classic sci-fi epic, Dune. Both parts, which had an estimated budget of 160 million and 190 million dollars respectively, had scenes filmed at the stages of ORIGO Studios, where the beautiful architecture and scenery of the desert planet Arrakis came to life.

Poor Things (2023)

Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest received four Academy Awards earlier this month. Emma Stone won the award for Best Actress for her role as Bella Baxter, and the movie also snagged the Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Costume Design awards. Hungarian set decorator Zsuzsa Mihalek won as part of the Best Production Design team. However, the film has other connections to Hungary, too, as many of its scenes were filmed in the country.

poor things filming origo studios budapest
On the set of Poor Things. Photo: Origo Studios Budapest / Facebook

The movie tells the surreal and unconventional adventures of a young woman who has been reanimated after her death by a strange scientist. It is set across multiple – fictional versions of – European cities, many of which were given a home at ORIGO and Korda Studios.

Soundstages were created to be London, Paris, Lisbon, and even an ocean liner. Moreover, Szabó Ervin Library, and woods and churches on the outskirts of Budapest were used to shoot certain interiors and outside scenes.

The Hungarian film industry booms

On their website, ORIGO Studios write

“Hungary is currently the leading country of international filmmaking in Eastern Europe, and it looks like it’s going to keep that title for a while. […] Thanks to the expert workforce, great locations and tax rebate options, more and more foreign producers find their account in Budapest.”

Indeed, Portfolio highlights how the Hungarian film industry has seen significant, around tenfold, growth in production numbers over the past decade. The industry’s contribution to the GDP, in turn, increased four times over the same period.

Outsourcing filming to Hungary is motivated by lower costs of production, a cheap workforce, and favourable taxation. However, the well-developed infrastructure of the industry, the existence of outstanding studio equipment, and the high expertise of workers are also essential when it comes to attracting international productions.

The success of films that had Hungarian contributors, such as Poor Things, reinforces Hungary’s role in the international film industry, Portfolio writes. Films like these not only provide jobs for possibly thousands of domestic professionals, but they also give opportunities for professional development and learning. Moreover, projects affect many other industries, as well, such as hotels and restaurants.

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Mark Ruffalo: Thank you, Hungarians

mark ruffalo

The male lead of Poor Things, Mark Ruffalo, posted on his Instagram after the Oscars. In the post, he praised his colleagues and also mentioned Hungarian film professionals, including the Oscar winner Zsuzsa Mihalek.

The actor shared a selection of photos from his most memorable moments at the 96th Academy Awards, Index reports.

Thank you for an incredible night at the Oscars ✨

he started the post.

Ruffalo: Thank you

Congratulations, Emma Stone, Holly Waddington, James Price, Shona Heath & Zsuzsa Mihalek of Production Design, and Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier & Josh Weston of Makeup and Hairstyling for their wins for Poor Things. And… thank you to our Hungarian counterparts and fellow film makers in Budapest. Incredible artists and film makers in their own right.

Poor Things won several awards at the gala. Originally nominated in eleven categories, it won in four. A Hungarian professional, set designer Zsuzsa Mihalek, also received an award.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mark Ruffalo (@markruffalo)

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Hollywood about Hungary: Austin Butler and Christopher Walken praise Budapest

austin butler

Budapest has stolen the hearts of many world stars and celebrities in the past. Two Dune actors now join the list: Austin Butler and Christopher Walken have bestowed encomiums on the Hungarian capital after shooting the film here.

Both parts of Dune was shot in Budapest

As Player.hu reports, the first real blockbuster of the year, Dune: Part Two, like the first part, was shot in Budapest. A host of new actors have been recruited for the sequel to bolster the already illustrious cast, with Austin Butler joined by the ingenious Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, ruler of the universe.

This line-up has already done the Hungarian national image some good, as Butler raved about Hungary at the New York premiere of the second part of Dune.

I was in Hungary for the whole time that I was there. It’s beautiful!

he said to the interviewer talking to him.

He also said that he was dragged out of his hotel room by Florence Pugh, with whom he went on a trip and visited very special places. Check out the video below:

@enews

Hey AustinButler, are you and #FlorencePugh taking applications for another hiking buddy? Dune: Part Two in theaters March 1.

♬ original sound – E! News

After Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, interviewed by Vanity Fair, also praised Hungary. Walken returned to acting after a four-year hiatus. When asked by a reporter why he chose to say yes to the sequel to Dune, the actor replied:

“I had, of course, seen the first Dune a number of times. I loved it, and I admired [Villeneuve’s] movies. Arrival, I thought, was wonderful,” Walken told Vanity Fair.

“And to be with all those terrific actors — Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin, Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Stellan Skarsgård — and to go to Budapest, which is a beautiful city. And of course, that’s what I do for a living. It was only, I think, three weeks. So, everything about it was attractive.”

This is definitely great publicity for Budapest. It not only attracts tourists to Budapest, but also enhances the city’s already good international reputation among filmmakers and could attract more productions to the city in the future, Player.hu concludes.

Academy Awards/Oscars Gala 2024: Hungarian awardee

As we reported a few days ago, Hungary’s Zsuzsa Mihalek has won the 2024 Academy Award (Oscars) for Production Design. Mihalek won the acknowledgement for set decoration, along with James Price and Shona Heath for production design, for their work on director Yorgos Lanthimos’s feature Poor Things.

Mihalek had also won the British Film Prize, the BAFTA, for her work on Poor Things, but was not in London to receive the award. She was not there in Los Angeles for the Oscars either. Price and Heath mentioned that they missed “Zsuzsi” not being there.

In eight years, Zsuzsa Mihalek is the fourth Hungarian filmmaker to be honoured by the US Film Academy. In 2016, László Nemes Jeles received the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for Son of Saul, Kristóf Deák won the Best Live Action Short Film category for With Everyone in 2017, and Zsuzsanna Sipos received the Golden Statue for her work as the director of the first part of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune in 2022.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Controversial Duchess Meghan Markle once fell in love with Budapest

Meghan Markle Budapest

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose to relinquish their royal status and depart from the United Kingdom around four years ago. After leaving the UK, they have been residing in a luxurious American home with their children.  However, before meeting Harry, Meghan was a passionate traveller who once visited the Hungarian capital.

In 2013, Meghan Markle visited Budapest during the festive season when the city was decorated with Christmas decorations, creating a warm holiday ambience. The former Duchess, who shared glimpses of her experience on Instagram at the time, which were later deleted before her marriage to Harry, expressed her fondness for Hungary, according to Joy.hu.

Meghan cherished the winter atmosphere, the bustling Christmas market, and the aroma of mulled wine and admired landmarks like the synagogue on Dohány Street. She even said Andrássy Avenue is the Hungarian version of the Champs-Élysées, the most renowned and prestigious avenue in the heart of Paris. Here are some of her photos taken in Budapest:

 

A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon

 

alexandra ☾ (@meghanmarlke) által megosztott bejegyzés

Meghan also enjoyed running along the banks of the Danube, relaxing on Margaret Island and exploring the iconic bridges that Budapest has to offer. She even tried Bikram yoga and managed to follow instructions despite the language barrier. Ever since those years, she has not returned to Hungary but her time in the capital undoubtedly left her with cherished memories.

With Meghan and Harry once again in the media spotlight, this could serve as an ideal opportunity for them to re-visit Budapest. Despite their fame in Hungary, the famous couple could seek peace and privacy in the Hungarian capital, away from the constant public attention.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Mark Jones

Why are Meghan and Harry in the media spotlight again?

Harry and Meghan provoked controversy once again within the British royal family by launching a joint website, even though the family was frustrated about this idea. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex debuted their website which is called Sussex.com according to the Daily Mail.  The use of this name has raised eyebrows among the royal family because it closely resembles “Sussex Royal”, a name which Queen Elizabeth II prohibited the couple from using a couple of years ago. This move has left the royal family displeased with a warning that the website may face termination if the couple fails to behave as the royal family expects them to do so.

To prevent Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from using their royal titles for commercial purposes after stepping away from royal duties, restrictions were placed on their use of the “Sussex” name. If there is any indication of commercial exploitation, the website associated with the name could be shut down. This decision has sparked controversy with some insiders criticising the move as distasteful.

Additionally, there is speculation about potential complaints from Buckingham Palace regarding the use of the “Sussex.com” name as they could be interpreted as production companies linked to Harry and Meghan’s contracts with Netflix and Spotify. However, some individuals defend Harry and Meghan’s right to use their family name arguing that it is a factual representation of their identity.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com