International fame came with his film ‘Pelle the Conqueror’ – winning the Palme d’Or in 1988, and the Golden Globe and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1989 – about the history of Swedish emigrants arriving to Denmark in the 19^th century. The film, depicting the moments of great poverty, is based on a novel written by the Danish writer, Martin Andersen Nexø in the first half of the 20^th century. It is said that even Ingmar Bergman was spell-bounded by the movie.

After his intended final feature, Fanny and Alexander, the legendary Swedish director started to write autobiographical books. His first one, ‘The Best Intentions’ was later turned into film by Bille August, with Bergman as the screenwriter. The film is a condensed version of a four-part television mini-series telling the story of Bergman’s parents, their relationship unwanted or even forbidden by their families. The film won a second Palme d’Or for August at the Cannes Film Festival. It is especially interesting for two reasons. Firstly, as a director, Bergman has never won the main prize of one of the most prestigious film festivals of the world and August received it with a film the screenplay of which was written by Bergman. Secondly, Palme d’Or has never been granted to a film that was first made for TV.

In a short time August’s talent has been discovered in the U.S. as well: he made two episodes for George Lucas’ ‘The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones’, in both seasons respectively. Meanwhile, in 1993, with European and American financial resources and a Hollywood cast (Meryl Streep, Winona Ryder, Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Antonio Banderas) he directed ‘House of the Spirits’, the adaptation of Isabel Allende’s popular novel. The story details the life of an extraordinary Chilean family, the eternal conflict of rich and poor in South America in the ‘50s and ‘60s. It was followed by Victor Hugo’s classic ‘Les Misérables’ with Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush and Uma Thurman and ‘Jerusalem’, based on Selma Lagerlöf’s novel. The later takes us to the beginning of the 20^th century in the world of Christian extremism and has been a great success in Hungary as well.

Bille August remains to be active. His movie ‘Silent Heart’ premiered in 2014. It is one of the most interesting Danish family dramas of the last couple years. The story shows the relationship between three generations, with a special focus on the story of the elders. The Danish cast is absolutely brilliant. He recently finished his newest TV mini-series, ‘Lykke-Per’ [Lucky Peter] based on Henrik Pontoppidan’s novel of the same title. Lykke-Per also has a feature film version.

Réka Szalkai