BlueDanube Films Ramps Up With “Lord of the Block”

Aug. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- August 2, 2011 - BlueDanube Films is proud to announce development on “Lord of the Block”, the first in a slate of micro-budget films to be shot in Hungary and other countries in Central Eastern Europe.

BlueDanube Films is the new banner for veteran producer Gábor Váradi, who, for 19 years, produced, provided co-production and production services under his well-known Eurofilm banner.  Mr. Váradi has a stellar reputation as a first-class motion picture producer.

In 2011, Mr. Váradi re-organized Eurofilm, teaming up with Luca Bercovici, a multi-talented producer and filmmaker, who had just wrapped up two years as Head of Production for Raleigh Film Budapest.  Mr. Váradi and Mr. Bercovici formed BlueDanube Films Kft., a full-service motion picture production company headquartered in Budapest, Hungary.

In addition to the usual business of servicing foreign production and participating in European co-productions, BlueDanube Films is carving out a niche for itself developing and producing genre films at the micro to low budget level to be shot in English, with at least one recognizable name, utilizing primarily local or regional crew, talent and assets, while avoiding the vagaries of dependence upon local direct subsidies.  This slate of films, with average budgets of €500,000 - €1,000,000, instead will rely more upon conservative free market distribution strategies to exploit the completed films.

Bercovici says, “It’s the old business adage: ‘Take care of the downside, and the upside takes care of itself.’  We’re making world-class quality, genre-driven films – for a price. These films have the best of all possible worlds, talented local writers writing in English, spectacular locations that fit the genre and put tremendous value up on the screen, excellent crews and management to keep costs as low as possible.”

In addition, BlueDanube Films has made a number of strategic alliances, such as its’ partnership with Raindance, the UK-based organization dedicated to fostering and promoting independent film.  Raindance recently opened up an office in Budapest, and in the spirit of its’ mandate, has agreed to provide crew to the production through Raindance Budapest on an intern, non-paid basis, as part of their Training Courses, provide extra talent on an intern, non-paid basis also as part of their Training Courses, and extend international Raindance PR to the “Lord of the Block” production.

“Lord of the Block” is a dark urban mythic thriller about a disaffected young man’s discovery of a man-like creature living in his apartment building.  The creature/man named “Artur” seems to be able to control the emotions of the apartment inhabitants, feeding off of their negative emotions.  Although initially entranced by Artur’s abilities, and the fact that Artur wants the young man, Tomi, to become Artur’s apprentice, Tomi finds himself in a battle against the “Lord of the Block”, and the darkness that he stands for.

The script is being written by Balázs Lovas (Run to Ground) and Gábor Krigler (Born Loser), under their FadeIn banner. Lovas & Krigler will also serve as producers, as will Bobby Barbacioru, a Romanian-born filmmaker and producer, who begins filming an anthology of short stories, that BlueDanube Films is also co-producing. Based on the strength of the pitch and a first draft script, BlueDanube was able to attach Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) to the project.

Bercovici says, “This is the perfect alchemy of ingredients; talented storytellers, untapped story material, excellent up-and-coming filmmakers, exceptional locations and the ability to implement a creative business plan that benefits vendors, crew and talent alike.

“Lord of the Block” will go before the cameras in 2012.

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BlueDanube Films is a full-service production company, headquartered in Hungary, with infrastructure in place throughout Central Eastern Europe.