Torn from the Flag
Encyclopedia
Klaudia Kovacs’ multi-award-winning sociopolitical historical documentary titled Torn from the Flag is about the international decline of communism
and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The film encompasses the tense Cold War
era (1945–1991) and presents the rivalry of the superpowers during that time. It shows the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
as the first catalyst for the future decline of the communist system, and as a remarkable turning point for the advancement of democracy. The film’s Hungarian title is A lyukas zászló.
Torn from the Flag was made primarily for international theatrical release and television distribution, and participated in the 2009 Oscar competition in the ”Best Documentary” category.
’s film festival, AFI Fest. It was screened in the festival’s "Milestones" section—described as "celebrating the best of the best"—along with films by Ingmar Bergman
and Michelangelo Antonioni
. Tickets for the premiere sold out in 45 minutes, and the film received a standing ovation. To date, the film has been invited to participate in 20 festivals, and is the recipient of 8 awards/recognitions.
.
A wide-ranging social movement has developed around this film that took filmmaker Klaudia Kovacs 9 years to make. Nearly 2000 individuals and families as well as the majority of Hungarian communities, foundations and churches in North America supported the production.
Contact with staff: TornFromTheFlag@hotmail.com
"A definitive account. The most comprehensive chronicle of the Hungarian uprising yet caught on film. The film never bogs down. A lively piece of history, put together with a good deal of technical skill as well as unmistakable passion." — Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter
"This was the most powerful and important film experience of my life. Klaudia Kovacs' work in tracking down all those marvelous witnesses and selecting the most illuminating and combustible quotes was unprecedented in documentary film-making." — Barry Farber
, Talk Radio Network
"Easily the best documentary film on the 1956 Hungarian revolution." — István Deák
, Seth Low Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University
"A quality production satisfying the highest expectations and demands. It chains you to your seat and helps us understand what freedom truly means." — Leslie Eloed, American Hungarian Journal
"Recognition for cinematographers in general is long overdue. When it comes to Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond, it's clear that the American New Wave of the late 1960s and early '70s wouldn't have flowered as it did without them." — Leonard Maltin
Homage to 1956, LLC
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The film encompasses the tense Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
era (1945–1991) and presents the rivalry of the superpowers during that time. It shows the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
1956 Hungarian Revolution
The Hungarian Revolution or Uprising of 1956 was a spontaneous nationwide revolt against the government of the People's Republic of Hungary and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from 23 October until 10 November 1956....
as the first catalyst for the future decline of the communist system, and as a remarkable turning point for the advancement of democracy. The film’s Hungarian title is A lyukas zászló.
Torn from the Flag was made primarily for international theatrical release and television distribution, and participated in the 2009 Oscar competition in the ”Best Documentary” category.
Appearing in the Film
In addition to other interviewees, the following political notables appear in person or in archive footage:- Mikhail GorbachevMikhail GorbachevMikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
- Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
- Henry KissingerHenry KissingerHeinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
- Otto von HabsburgOtto von HabsburgOtto von Habsburg , also known by his royal name as Archduke Otto of Austria, was the last Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary from 1916 until the dissolution of the empire in 1918, a realm which comprised modern-day Austria, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia,...
- Árpád GönczÁrpád GönczÁrpád Göncz is a Hungarian liberal politician and former President of Hungary . Göncz played a role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956...
- Imre PozsgayImre PozsgayImre Pozsgay is a Hungarian, ex-Communist, politician who played a key role in Hungary's transition to democracy after 1988. He is currently an advisor to prime minister Viktor Orbán....
- János Berecz
- Gyula HornGyula HornGyula Horn is a Hungarian politician and the third Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary, from 1994–1998....
- George Vassiliou
Awards & recognitions
The film’s world premiere was in Hollywood, in the American Film InstituteAmerican Film Institute
The American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
’s film festival, AFI Fest. It was screened in the festival’s "Milestones" section—described as "celebrating the best of the best"—along with films by Ingmar Bergman
Ingmar Bergman
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...
and Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian modernist film director, screenwriter, editor and short story writer.- Personal life :...
. Tickets for the premiere sold out in 45 minutes, and the film received a standing ovation. To date, the film has been invited to participate in 20 festivals, and is the recipient of 8 awards/recognitions.
Points of interest
Torn from the Flag was the last film of legendary cinematographer László KovácsLászló Kovács (cinematographer)
László Kovács, A.S.C. was a Hungarian cinematographer who was influential in the development of American New Wave films. Most famous for his award-winning work on Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, Kovács was the recipient of numerous awards, including three Lifetime Achievement Awards...
.
A wide-ranging social movement has developed around this film that took filmmaker Klaudia Kovacs 9 years to make. Nearly 2000 individuals and families as well as the majority of Hungarian communities, foundations and churches in North America supported the production.
Contact with staff: TornFromTheFlag@hotmail.com
Critiques/Reviews
"A documentary thriller. Superb." — Chuck Wilson, LA WeeklyLA Weekly
LA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
"A definitive account. The most comprehensive chronicle of the Hungarian uprising yet caught on film. The film never bogs down. A lively piece of history, put together with a good deal of technical skill as well as unmistakable passion." — Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter
"This was the most powerful and important film experience of my life. Klaudia Kovacs' work in tracking down all those marvelous witnesses and selecting the most illuminating and combustible quotes was unprecedented in documentary film-making." — Barry Farber
Barry Farber
Barry M. Farber is an American conservative radio talk show host, author and language-learning enthusiast. In 2002, industry publication Talkers magazine ranked him the 9th greatest radio talk show host of all time. He has also written articles appearing in the New York Times, Reader's Digest,...
, Talk Radio Network
"Easily the best documentary film on the 1956 Hungarian revolution." — István Deák
István Deák
István Deák is a Hungarian-born American historian, author and academic.Deak was born at Székesfehérvár, Hungary. He was educated at a Catholic gymnasium in Budapest and began his university studies in 1945 at the University of Budapest...
, Seth Low Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University
"A quality production satisfying the highest expectations and demands. It chains you to your seat and helps us understand what freedom truly means." — Leslie Eloed, American Hungarian Journal
"Recognition for cinematographers in general is long overdue. When it comes to Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond, it's clear that the American New Wave of the late 1960s and early '70s wouldn't have flowered as it did without them." — Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film and animated film critic and historian, author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives.-Personal life:...
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter
- LA Weekly
- Budapest Times
- MovieMaker Magazine
- Congressional Record of the United States America
- American Cinematographer
Homage to 1956, LLC
External links
- Torn from the Flag Official website
- Homage to 1956, LLC. Online store
- American Cinematographer
- Trailer
- On the director-producer-writer's homepage