Hungarian Conservative

At a press conference in Budapest, producer Tamás Lajos disclosed that there are ongoing negotiations with international streaming services, expressing optimism regarding the film’s success abroad.

This is the 12th edition of the annual charity fundraising campaign, held by the Hungarian public broadcasting company MTVA. Over the years, it has raised over 2 billion HUF ($5.7 million) for good causes, thanks to the generosity of the Hungarian people.

National Film Institute Director Csaba Káel emphasized in his remarks before the screening that in recent years, Hungary has hosted landmark productions that have established Budapest as the second biggest film hub in Europe after London. The list of international blockbusters and critically acclaimed films shot in Hungary continues to grow and Hungary has shown itself as a versatile, captivating background for cinematic storytelling.

Lajos Koltai’s film, produced by the Szupermodern Film Studio with the support of the Hungarian National Film Institute (NFI), portrays the life and work of Ignác Semmelweis, the world-famous Hungarian obstetrician who challenged traditional theories and sought to combat one of the most devastating diseases of the 19th century, puerperal fever.

The Hungarian doctor was the first to introduce hand sanitation standards in a medical institution, which led to childbed mortality rate decreasing from 18 per cent to just two per cent at his Vienna obstetrical clinic. However, his ideas were tragically never accepted by his peers which led to his death in a mental ward.

The memorial day is dedicated to honouring the hard work, the unrelenting sacrifice and outstanding achievements of healthcare workers in Hungary.