Muvesz mozi
- February 3, 2002
- Rated 4 of 5 by
idared from Budapest, Hungary
Hungary's movie theatre scene has undergone a major change in the last 2-3 years. Budapest used to have about 50 cinemas ranging from small 30-seat, 1-screen ones to multiple-screen larger venues. Today we have about 15 multiplexes and about 20 of the original cinemas remaining with a handful dropping out of the game every few months. It really is a sad situation, but in the last couple of months there are some positive changes. It looks like there is a revival of the vintage cinema experience going on, more and more people are turning to the remaining old cinemas. Some have actually profited from the closing of their competitors, and have successfully repositioned themselves as the fun and unique cinemas as opposed to the mainstream multiplexes.
Muvesz is one of these. The name translates into "Artist" and is very fitting, because the cinema has always been the artsy type, showing art and underground movies from local and international artists, and it is also the main location for any film festivals going on in the city (although that seems not to be the case this year - I wonder if this will be a trend or only an exception). You can sometimes see Hungarian movies with English subtitles here, as well as movies from around the world that are not shown anywhere else in the city. Muvesz also plays long gone favorites that still attract a crowd years after they are gone from the main cinemas' programs. The ticket is about $1.50 - $2, which is also about half the price of the multiplex tickets. There is a very good English language bookstore in the hall of the cinema where you can stock up on good literature to read on the road.
From journal A local's guide to Budapest - work in progress!