How did you start this project. How long did it take from the initial idea to have it finished?

-So first of all the film I submitted is a 2nd part of a series. I made the 1st part in 2022. At that time I did not know yet it is going to be a 1st part of a series. I just wanted to make a short documentary as a reference to show my  cinematographer skills. However I needed to direct  it too. I do not exactly know which point during the production I decided to make a series about this topic but it became clear pretty quickly. The series is all about dying craftsmanships approach from a human side as they are portrait movies. I already shoot 4 parts (coal burner, tale teller, millers and a very very rare profession: amadou hunter..) of it in Transylvania which is about 800 hundred kilometres from my hometown so I needed to spent 3 summers there. The 2nd part (The cradle of tales) was around 12 shootings in 7 months and a long period of editing. The 4th episode is still in the making.

 

Has it been a self-financed project or did you find private financing?

-Up until this point, I've paid for everything myself. Now it looks like I will be able to sign a contract with a TV provider, who will not cover the production costs, but the broadcasting fee will almost return the money I invested in recent years. I am also constantly looking for sponsors.

 

Many filmmakers finance the entire project, finishing it in their spare time while studying or working etc. This makes it a very wear-and-tear process and takes a long time to finish. Even many of these projects never end up being assembled. In your case, how has the process been?

-I am a very lucky person because I have a very strong relationship with my family. There is always a "bed and breakfast" at home, so I don't have to worry about "starving to death". I am very grateful for it. However, I take every opportunity I can to make money. You know, making a 4-episode series mostly by yourself is really hard work, especially if you're a "first-time filmmaker" like me, but it's worth it at the end of the day. You always get some good feedback and look at your work and know that what you are doing is very important because these films are a living archive of the memories and teachings of these craftsmen. So back to the question, the path of the process always reveals itself. One of my favourite Hungarian poets, Sándor Weores, gives the best answer to your question in "About the goal":

 

“What do I care that it is worth or is my work pointless?

I'm a stream: should I ask how where do I take my foam?

 

I fight: I don't know for whom and I don't know who against.

I don't need to know my purpose because my purpose knows me.”

 

At what point is the project in terms of festivals? Tell us a little about your experience in festivals and what you expect from festivals for this project.

-I submitted the 1st and 2nd parts of the series to festivals due to the last two does not done yet.To be honest I am mesmerised. I never thought that the "big world" would receive my "small" films with so much interest and recognition. The first episode was selected for 30 festivals and won 8 of it and also has nominees and honourable mentions. And it was screened in the famous TCL Chinese theatre… The 2nd part is still competed but already 7 awards and 2 nominees.. So personally I am more than satisfied.

 

Tell us the best moment and the worst experienced during the process of finishing the project.

-I think the best moments are when I can introduce the film to the main characters, my family and friends. So far, both of my main characters have had tears in their eyes while watching it. I don't have a specific worst experience, but the most difficult is when you have to deal with "daily" things that only take time away from creative directorial work. For example, bridging material things, production work and other bureaucratic tasks that belong to the film industry, not to the "art" of film.

 

Do you have any other project in mind? If so, can you tell us something?

-At the moment, it seems that I have managed to sign a contract with a TV provider, so I can continue my work on this topic. In the second season, I will designate an episode as a "pilot" episode, which will also be part of a new series, and in 2025 I would like to find cooperation and financing partners for this project.              

 

What do you expect from a film festival? Where do you think they should improve?

-I hope that one day I will attract someone's attention with my work and  sooner or later a producer, director or even a production company will contact me about wanting to work with me. Either as a d.o.p or as a director or even both.
I do not know where the festivals should improve because I have no bad experience at all.

 

Now we would like to know more about you.

 

How did you start in the cinema?

-I rode bmx for many years and I started to film my friends with family’s camera.. At that time I was like 13-14 years old. I liked to make these “short docs” about us. When I get older I worked as a videographer, creating mostly web content. In the beginning I liked it but a few years back from now, somehow it was just not enough. I wanted to do something much more meaningful thing. Then I made the 1st episode of “Memoirs of Métiers”…

 

How do you define yourself as a filmmaker? Your best virtue and your worst flaw?

-I'm not sure I would define myself as a filmmaker. I'm not sure if I would define myself... I can't say what my best and worst qualities are, a more realistic answer could be obtained from my environment. However, I think I'm persistent, which is good, but I’m moody too..

 

Tell me three favourite movies.

-Good Will Hunting

-True Detective 1st season

-The Salt of the Earth

-….and much more…

 

And directors?

-I do not really have one..

 

For you, a good movie should have:

-Depth.