| Torn from the Flag | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Endre Hules Klaudia Kovacs |
| Produced by | George Adams - Associate Producer Klaudia Kovacs - Producer Laszlo Kovacs - Executive Producer Andrew Senyei - Executive Producer Vilmos Zsigmond - Executive Producer |
| Written by | Endre Hules Klaudia Kovacs - Story |
| Music by | Chris Horvath |
| Cinematography | Zoltan Honti Laszlo Kovacs |
| Distributed by | Homage to 1956, LLC. |
| Release date(s) | AFI, Hollywood, USA 2007 |
| Running time | 96 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English, Russian, Italian, Hungarian |
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.
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In addition to other interviewees, the following political notables appear in person or in archive footage:
The film’s world premiere was in Hollywood, in the American Film Institute’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.
Torn from the Flag was the last film of legendary cinematographer László Kovács.
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 documentary thriller. Superb." — Chuck Wilson, LA Weekly
"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