The collection draws from over a century of cinematic heritage to present a unique visual narrative told entirely through film stills and behind-the-scenes photography.

Péter Baki, Director of the Mai Manó House, noted during a preview event that the exhibition serves as a formal tribute to the 125th anniversary of Hungarian film production.

He explained that the institution approaches photography not merely as a static capture, but as an artistic medium naturally connected to both the fine arts and the moving image.

Developed in close collaboration with the National Film Institute, the exhibition showcases images curated from the extensive photo archive of the Film History Institute.

According to György Ráduly, Director of the National Film Institute's Film Archive, the presentation offers a panoramic view of national cinematic evolution in still frames, while simultaneously illuminating the vital, often overlooked contribution of the set photographer.

The exhibition also serves as a poignant commemoration of the defining figures who shaped Hungarian cinema on both sides of the camera.

A central piece of the presentation is a large-scale photographic montage titled “Heavenly Crew,” which pays homage to deceased cinematic legends.

The commemorative installation features iconic performers and directors who achieved international and domestic acclaim, including Michael Curtiz, Bela Lugosi, Franciska Gaal, Károly Makk, Zoltán Fábri, and Zoltán Várkonyi.

Arranged across three dedicated galleries on the upper floor of the historic Mai Manó House, the exhibition traces chronological shifts through approximately one hundred selected images.

Head curator Márton Kurutz explained that while film stills and behind-the-scenes shots were fundamentally designed as promotional tools for theaters and media outlets, they also functioned as invaluable historical documents that preserved the hidden, unscripted moments of production.

Furthermore, the curator noted that these still photographs frequently provide the only surviving evidence of alternative takes and deleted scenes that were ultimately omitted from final theatrical cuts.

Working alongside co-curators Mariann Sipőcz and Gabriella Szállás, the team prioritized the selection of photographs that possess distinct aesthetic value independent of the films they represent.

Spanning from the earliest pioneering years of the silent era to contemporary releases, the final display features nearly ninety previously unreleased images that collectively illustrate the rich legacy of the country's on-set photographers.

The exhibition, titled “Action! Moments from 125 Years of Hungarian Cinema,” will remain open to visitors in the capital until August 23.

Photo: Mai Mano House

More:
maimano.hu/programs/exhibition

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