Published: December 06 2023
A lost 1929 Hungarian silent film, Prisoner Number Seven, has been restored and will be shown in Budapest's Uránia cinema on December 15 as part of this year's Season of Classic Films program. The film, believed to have been lost, was obtained from a Dutch collector by the National Film Archives of Austria and underwent remastering in Budapest. It was banned from screening in Hungary at the time but later shown to the public after its success abroad.
Plot
The film, also known as Slave Bird (Rabmadár), tells the story of Anna, who ends up in prison because of her lover, Jenő, who convinces her to steal. Anna convinces the prison doctor to let her out for one more night to visit Jenő, but he has long forgotten about her and has plans to break into a hotel safe with a beautiful dancer. However, Anna takes control of the situation.
Restoration and Screening
The only surviving copy of Prisoner Number Seven was passed to the Austrian Film Archive and was later received by the National Film Institute Hungary, which restored it as part of the Season of Classic Films program. The restoration was conducted with the support of the Creative Europe program of the European Union. The film will be screened with live music accompaniment and will feature original German intertitles and Hungarian and English subtitles.
Directors and Cast
Prisoner Number Seven was co-directed by Pál Sugár and Lajos Lázár. The film features Hungarian-German actors, including Lissy Arna as Anna, Hans Adalbert Schlettow as Jenő, Charlotte Susa as the doctor, and El Dura as the Malaysian dancer. It also includes Hungarian rising stars Ida Turay and Szidi Rákosi, as well as renowned Hungarian poet and journalist Lőrinc Szabó.
The Season of Classic Films Program
The Season of Classic Films program is a series of free film screenings across Europe that aims to draw attention to the work of film archives and the importance of film preservation. It is an initiative of the Association des Cinematheques Europeennes and is supported by the EU Creative Europe MEDIA scheme.
For more information and registration, visit the Uránia National Film Theatre's website.
Questions & Answers
What is the Season of Classics Films? The Season of Classics Films is a series of free film screenings across Europe aimed at drawing attention to the work of film archives and the significance of film preservation.
When will the screening of Prisoner Number Seven, also known as Slave Bird, take place in Budapest? The screening of Prisoner Number Seven, also known as Slave Bird (Rabmadár), will take place at Uránia National Film Theatre on December 15, 2023, at 7 pm.
What is the plot of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird? Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird is a dramatic and fast-paced crime and love story from the late silent era. The film tells the story of Anna, who ends up in prison because of her lover's influence. She longs to visit her lover for the last time and convinces the good-hearted prison doctor to let her out for a single night. However, her lover has moved on and is now planning a heist. Anna takes control of the situation.
Who are some of the notable actors in Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird? Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird features Hungarian-German actors, including Lissy Arna in the main role as Anna, Hans Adalbert Schlettow as Jenő, Charlotte Susa as the doctor, El' Dura as the Malaysian dancer, Ida Turay as Madárka, and Szidi Rákosi as a prison guard.
Where did the only surviving copy of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird come from? The only surviving copy of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird was obtained from a Dutch collector by the National Film Archives of Austria. It was then passed to the National Film Institute Hungary - Film Archive for restoration.
When was the restoration of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird completed? The restoration of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird was completed in 2023 after the missing parts of the film emerged during the remastering process.
What is the significance of the Season of Classics Films programme? The Season of Classics Films programme is an initiative of the Association des Cinematheques Europeennes (ACE) and is supported by the EU Creative Europe MEDIA scheme. It aims to draw attention to the work of film archives and the importance of film preservation.
Will there be live music accompaniment during the screening of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird? Yes, the screening of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird will feature live music accompaniment by composers Milán Hodován, Patrik Oláh, and Péter Friderikusz.
In what languages will Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird be screened? The film will be screened with the original German intertitles and Hungarian and English subtitles.
Who were the directors and screenwriters of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird? Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird was co-directed by Pál Sugár and Lajos Lázár. Lajos Lázár, along with Walter Reisch, also served as the film's screenwriters.
Who were the cinematographers, set designer, and producer of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird? The cinematographers of Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird were József Bécsi and Adolf Otto Weitzenberg. The set designer was István Szironthai Lhotka, and the producer was Géza Steinhardt.
Why was Prisoner Number Seven/Slave Bird banned from screening in Hungary initially? The film was banned from screening in Hungary initially by the censors. However, it was later shown to the public after its success abroad.
What is the purpose of the EU Creative Europe MEDIA scheme? The EU Creative Europe MEDIA scheme supports initiatives like the Season of Classics Films programme. It aims to promote and support the European audiovisual sector and encourage cross-border collaboration.
