Torn from the Flag is a feature-length, English-language documentary film about the fall of communism and the significant global effects of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight, which was one of the most remarkable events in modern history.

In 1956, Hungary, a nation of 10 million people, defeated the tyranny of the Soviet Union, a nation of 200 million. The 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight was the first significant indicator of, and a catalyst for, the future downfall of communism, and it initiated a process that culminated three decades later with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the demise of the Soviet Union. This event was so critical that the United Nations kept the "Hungarian Question" on its agenda for 7 years.

Torn from the Flag is now complete and it is 95 minutes long. It had its World Premiere on November 10th in the most prestigious North American film festival after Sundance: the AFI (American Film Institute) Fest in Los Angeles. We are proud that the film screened in the "Milestones" section, described by AFI as "celebrating the best of the best," to honor the late Hollywood legend Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, our cinematographer. Other Milestones honorees included such notables as Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni.

The project was made to honor the 50^th anniversary. The unique aspect of this quality film lies in its complexity. Our objective was to examine the events on a global historical and political scale. We also utilized the material of recently opened archives and files.

This powerful, bold, thought-provoking film challenges the complacency of the international community at the time and presents questions—like those about foreign occupation—that are still valid today. It has two contraposed storylines—the sufferings and struggle for freedom of the individual, against the backdrop of the harsh, sometimes merciless decisions of world politics.

Our intent was for the story to be told not only by Hungarian freedom fighters, officials, former political prisoners, secret police and communist functionaries, but by foreign citizens who participated and/or witnessed the events, as well. Among others, the interviewees include a Soviet soldier; foreign students; a former member of the Hungarian communist secret police (AVO); historians; a UN expert; and several political notables including European Parliament member Otto von Habsburg and Cold War figure Dr. Henry Kissinger. This broad approach lends more credibility and should prove instrumental in elevating the Hungarian Revolution to its rightful place in world history.

The film was shot on High Definition (HD) in the US, Europe, and Russia. Our cinematographer was multi-award winner Laszlo Kovacs, ASC (Easy Rider; Paper Moon; Shampoo; What's Up, Doc?; New York, New York; My Best Friend's Wedding). Sadly, Mr. Kovacs passed away in July; this was his last film. Torn from the Flag includes current and 1956 archive footage by both Laszlo Kovacs and by another of Hollywood's best cinematographers, Oscar winner Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC (Close Encounters of the Third Kind; Deer Hunter; McCabe & Mrs. Miller; The Witches of Eastwick; The Black Dahlia). They both also acted as Executive Producers of this feature-length documentary.

The feedback on Torn from the Flag is extremely positive:

To make sure history is portrayed correctly in the global consciousness, we are now working on an effective, high-profile, worldwide distribution and release strategy so that Torn from the Flag will have long-lasting value and impact into posterity, because I feel I have a social responsibility as a filmmaker.

There are two basic chapters to making a film. The first is the actual production of the finished film, and the second is its distribution. It is not well known that many times making, and properly distributing, a film are two processes that can take an equal amount of energy, time and financial backing. The chronological order of proper distribution in our case would be:

1. Obtaining a Producer's Rep to represent the film (Done.)
2. Participating at Film Festivals (In progress.)
3. Obtaining a Distributor
4. Participating in the Oscar® race
5. Theatrical release
6. Television broadcast
7. Release on DVD
8. Additional screenings in the Community, and Educational/Academic arenas

This process can take 1 to 3 years; this time frame is individual to any given film. Back In 2004 we initiated a dialogue with the Educational Ministry in Hungary to provide a copy of the film to every school in Hungary; we still hope to achieve this.

This film could never have been made without the international- and North American Hungarian communities. Many respected institutions and influential individuals pledged their support. We have received grants and donations from the following 47 foundations, institutions and companies, among others:

• The 56 Hungarian World Federation
• 1956 Hungarian Memorial Foundation
• American Hungarian Federation
• American Hungarian Foundation (2003 & 2005)
• Arpad Academy
• Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts & Sciences
• Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel (2003 & 2004)
• Corvina Cultural Circle
• Erich Lessing Culture & Fine Arts Archives
• Friends of United Way - Hungary
• Gabor Koranyi Fine Art
• Hungarian American Association of Washington
• Hungarian American Athletic Club
• Hungarian American Citizens Club
• Hungarian-American Club, Inc.
• Hungarian American Coalition
• Hungarian American Cultural Association (a.k.a. Kossuth Club)
• Hungarian-American Seattle Association
• Hungarian Club of Washington, D.C.
• Hungarian Cultural Association of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Columbus, OH
• Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio
• Hungarian Cultural Society of Connecticut
• Hungarian Cultural Society of Greater Vancouver
• Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation, Inc. of Detroit
• Hungarian House of San Diego
• Hungarian Literary Society of Ronkonoma
• Hungarian (Magyar) Club of Chicago
• Hungarian Reformed Federation of America
• Hungarian Society of Massachusetts
• Hungarian Veterans' Association of Calgary
• International Technology Foundation
• Janos Arany Cultural Circle
• Lauer Learning
• Magyar Club of Dayton
• Minnesota Hungarians, Inc.
• M.H.B.K. World Federation of Hungarian Veterans
• Panavision
• The Pannonius Foundation
• Pro Professione Alapítvány
• The Seattle-Pecs Sister City Association (2003 & 2004)
• The Szechenyi Istvan Society
• Technicolor
• United Hungarian Fund / Egyesült Magyar Alap, Toronto
• United Hungarian Societies, Cleveland
• Vancouver Hungarian Cultural Society
• William Penn Association

We also received contributions from over 2000 individuals from the USA, Canada, Hungary and Switzerland. We were honored with 4 corporate sponsorships:

It is important to know that we keep our donors informed by a quarterly e-newsletter. If you are not yet receiving our newsletters via email and would like to, please send your email address to ktothfilm@gmail.com. Previous newsletters can be viewed here.

There has never been a project in the expatriate Hungarian community of such a high caliber that aims for international attention and has such universal appeal. The project was presented to the United States Congress and therefore was entered into the Congressional Record.

The filmmakers include Klaudia Kovacs - Producer, Director, Writer; George Adams - Associate Producer; Endre Hules - Writer, Director; Laszlo Kovacs - Cinematographer and Executive Producer; Vilmos Zsigmond - Executive Producer; Zoltan Honti - Cinematographer; Stephanie Hubbard - Editor; Kinga Toth - Production Associate and Language Consultant; Chris Horvath - Composer.

You can actively help make Torn from the Flag's worldwide release and distribution a reality by contributing directly. If you are interested in supporting human rights, furthering the cause of freedom, or raising awareness of important cultural and social issues, then please donate to Torn from the Flag.

The International Documentary Association [1201 West 5th Street #M320, Los Angeles, California 90017 USA; Telephone: (213) 534-3600], a respected non-profit organization of 25 years, provides our U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by accepting donations for Torn from the Flag. You will be sent a receipt for tax purposes within 30 days. Please make your check payable to the International Documentary Association (in the "Memo" or "For" portion, make sure to write "Torn from the Flag"), and send it to:

It is also possible to make a donation with your credit card.

The benefits of donating to Torn from the Flag are:

• A tax deduction (currently for U.S. taxpayers only);
• The satisfaction derived from supporting a noble cause; and
• Complimentary admission to local screenings organized by the filmmakers (screenings organized by distributor are excluded).

For those who contributed before the film was finalized, there was an additional benefit to donating:

• Publicity in the rolling credits - your own name, that of a loved one, or the name of your company or organization

Should you have any questions, or be interested in other financial opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at klaudiakovacs@msn.com. On behalf of the entire Torn from the Flag team, I thank you very much for your interest, support and generosity, and remain

Gratefully yours,

Klaudia Kovacs
Producer/Director/Writer