Hungarian cinema began in cafes, and short films were projected at the Velence coffee-house in Budapest in the late 1890s. By 1912, a distinct film culture had formed in Hungary, which - unlike the imported American popular entertainment cinema - throughout its history has shown a commitment to the idea of film as art.

This new book is a detailed historical, critical and appreciative account of the Hungarian cinema from its early days to the transforming 1990s, and provides an extended analysis of some 50 directors and their key films.

It describes the ways in which the industry has developed, largely with the assistance of the state, especially since the Second World War, and shows how the Hungarian cinema has achieved an international success out of all proportion to its size, and despite the potential obstructions of language and culture.

The author concludes with a survey of recent filmmaking activities, and a look towards the future in rapidly changing Eastern Europe. This book will appeal to all those interested in Hungarian and Eastern European film and history.