This progress report is to update you on the latest developments regarding the full-length documentary film project Torn from the Flag, about the fall of communism and the significant global effects of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight.

Due to a technical glitch, many people did not get our last newsletter; therefore, we’d like to reiterate that the film is now complete! It is 97 minutes long, and the feedback is extremely positive. Istvan Deak, Seth Low Professor Emeritus of History at Columbia University, said, “This is easily the best documentary film on the 1956 Hungarian revolution because of its attempt at absolute objectivity and its high artistic qualities.” We invite you to read the first three reviews, here:

By Leslie Eloed (Laszlo Elod) (Both Hungarian and English versions are on this link.)

By Dr. Laszlo Tanka (In Hungarian)

By Anna Lynn Reeves (In English)

By Anna Lynn Reeves (In Hungarian)

Unfortunately we also have to share the following sad news with you. Multi-award winning, legendary cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, who was our cinematographer and also acted many times (along with Oscar winner Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC) as an Executive Producer on Torn from the Flag, passed away in his sleep on July 22nd. He was a lovable, big-hearted, generous man with a great sense of humor. His body of work in Hollywood is remarkable. We were all deeply honored to work with him and to have him in our lives as a dear friend.
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-kovacs24jul24,1,7113749.story?coll=la-news-obituaries&ctrack=2&cset=true

We’d like to introduce Cleveland-born Hungarian-American Chris Horvath, who composed the beautiful original music for Torn from the Flag. He is also the founder and creative director of Jamnation Music, a boutique music company that creates music for film, TV and other emerging media. Jamnation also provides complete music supervision and clearance services and has a publishing catalog from which they license music to clients all over the world. You can learn more at www.jamnation.com.

We would like to thank the following this quarter: Gabriella & Lawrence Coburn, Laszlo S. and Linda Beres, Helen Frey Rochlin; and Anonymous for their donations. Thanks to Steven Varga and the William Penn Association; Patrick Hostetter and Pixelgate; Csaba Hrotko; Kinga Nemes and Laszlo Csepreghy; Helen Szablya; Georgina Hegedos and Laszlo Gaspar for their kind assistance. Thank you to Steven Fischer, who acknowledged my help with his 1956-themed film Freedom Dance by giving me a “Special Thank You” credit.

My priority has always been to have the international community know Hungary's contribution to history; that is why we wish to share the Freedom Fighters' heroism, and the Revolution's significance, in the English language. We made the film for the world and for those whose job it is to make sure history is portrayed correctly in the global consciousness. Accordingly, 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, as I feel we have a social responsibility to the cause.

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
2. Participating at Film Festivals
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. As soon as we have a theatrical premiere date in your city, we will let you know.

Thank you for your continuing interest in and support of this project. Approximately 2000 individuals and organizations helped in some way to make this film a reality. All these were included in the rolling credits of the film. Many are continuing to help with the release. If you'd like to get involved and help, please do contact us via email, and please forward this newsletter to your friends and family! I appreciate the anticipation of the premiere, though I suspect that no one is more anxious to premiere this film than I, the filmmmaker, am!

Last, but not least, I'd like to thank my entire, extremely talented and hard-working creative team for making my film with me! Many of them made significant personal sacrifices to stay on the team for years. Their contribution was invaluable; let their names stand here: 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.

Gratefully yours,
Klaudia Kovacs
Producer, Director, Writer
www.klaudiainc.com
klaudiakovacs@msn.com