Zoltán Kamondi facts for kids

Zoltán Kamondi (born April 6, 1960 – died March 17, 2016) was a talented Hungarian film director, actor, screenwriter, and producer. He was born in 1960 in Budapest, Hungary. He made many movies and theater shows during his life.

About Zoltán Kamondi

After finishing his studies in art, Zoltán Kamondi went to the Academy of Drama and Film. He earned a degree in film direction in 1988. His short films won many awards at different festivals. From 1986 to 1988, he was part of the directors' team at the Balázs Béla Film Studio.

In 1989, he worked as a war correspondent for Japanese and French TV. He also worked for Radio Free Europe during the Romanian Revolution. At the same time, he worked with Károly Makk as a script writer and co-director. His film Paths of Death and Angels was shown at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. It was part of a special section called "Un Certain Regard."

In 2002, he started teaching at the Hungarian Film Academy. In 2003, he received the Balázs Béla Prize. This is a special award for people who have done great things in Hungarian film.

His Films

Zoltán Kamondi directed many films. Here are some of his most well-known works:

Early Films and Awards

In 1985, while still at the Academy, he directed a short film called Kiki and the Males. This film won an award for Director at the Berlin Short Film Festival in Germany. It was also nominated for a "Student Oscar" at the American Film Academy in Los Angeles.

In 1990, he made his first full-length film, Paths of Death and Angels. This movie was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also invited to festivals in Moscow, Chicago, Tokyo, and Paris. It won the Best Film Music Award in San Remo.

The Subconscious Station (1987–88) was a film he started but did not finish.

Later Feature Films

In 1999, his film The Alchemist and the Virgin was released. This movie won the Independent Feature Award at the Manchester International Film Festival in the US. It also won the Critics’ Award for its amazing camera work and for the main actress. It was shown at many festivals around the world.

In 2002, he made the film Temptations. At the 33rd Hungarian Film Week, it won awards for Director, Cinematography (camera work), and Leading Male Actor. It was also nominated for the Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival. This film won many national and international awards. The European Film organization chose it to compete for the Best European Film.

In 2007, he finished the film Dolina. He had been working on this film since 2000. It was based on a book called The Archbishop’s Visit by Ádám Bodor. Dolina was shown at the 38th Hungarian Film Week and won an award for its artistic quality. It was also nominated for the Crystal Globe at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. It won several international awards, including three in the US.

In 2009, he produced the film “1” directed by Pater Sparrow. This film won several awards at the 40th Hungarian Film Week.

Theater Work

In 1992, Zoltán Kamondi started working in live theater. In 1993, he helped start the Pécs Experimental Workshop. He directed a play called Crimes of the Heart. This play won four prizes, including Best Performance, at the Hungarian Theatre Festival.

In 1994, he began working at the Miskolc Theatre. There, he directed Salome, which won an award for the Leading Actress at the Hungarian Theatre Festival.

In 1996, Kamondi started his own experimental theater group called 'Rolling Cult Motel' in Miskolc. He created a series of performances called "Touching Each Other." These shows were very popular for four years. One of these performances won the Main Prize at the Alternative Theatre Festival in 1999.

In 1998, Kamondi studied theater in London with help from the British Council. He also took part in the Theatre Festival in Amsterdam. In the same year, his theater company produced Candide at the Thália Theatre. This show won the Critics’ Award for "best musical performance of the season."

In 2010, he returned to theater and directed the play All About My Mother in Budapest.

Video and Documentaries

In 1996, his video film Golden Deck-Chair won an award for Director at the 27th Hungarian Film Week. The next year, it received the Critics’ Award for its new and creative ideas.

In 1997, he started filming The Hungarian Speckled Variety. This was a documentary series about Hungarian life. Critics thought it was one of the most important documentaries of its time. One episode won the Main Prize in the Documentary Category at the Mediawawe International Short Film Festival in 1995.