The Macho Spritzer

One of the touching things about spring in Budapest is the sight of grown men drinking white or rosé wine spritzers in the parks and beer gardens. The drink (known as fröccs in Hungarian) has a decidedly feminine or effete connotation in countries farther west, but here men of all size and persuasion enjoy fröccs in full view of their peers. Though recipes vary, below is a general, but by no means comprehensive, list of fröccs, showing the rations of wine to soda water (in deciliters) used when making the much-loved refresher.

Kisfröccs (small spritzer)       1:1

Nagyfröccs (large spritzer)     2:1

Hosszúlépés (the long step) 1:2

Krúdy fröccs (inspired by wine-loving writer Gyula Krúdy)  9:1

Háziúr  (landlord’s spritzer) 4:1

Házmester (superintendent’s spritzer) 3:2

Puskás fröccs (named for the legendary football player Ferenc Puskás) 6:3

Maflás (knucklehead’s spritzer) 5:5

Viceházmester (assistant superintendent’s spritzer) 2:3

Alpolgármester (vice mayor’s spritzer) 4:6

Lakófröccs (tenant’s spritzer) 1:4

Távolugrás (the longjump) 1:9

Hats off to Gyula Krúdy, known as Hungary’s Proust, for innovating a drink that is practically a full bottle of wine. We will lift a Házmester to you, or if we are feeling daring, a Puskás.

PPM Film Services is a Budapest-based film company offering an inspiring and creative work atmosphere for its host of clients from around the world. Since our inception, our focus has been providing the best of the best in terms of local production resources, locations, cast and technical teams to ensure that whatever the production we’re charged to create, we do it with no compromise. To sign up for the PPM Hungary newsletter, have a look here.

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An Interview with Greek Directors Dimitrios Ladopoulos and Spyridon Rasidakis

As detailed in last week’s post about Művész Palotája (The Palace of the Arts, or MUPA), FAGE (pronounced fa-yeh) yogurt came from Athens to Budapest early this year to shoot a spot for Total, a line of its traditional Greek yogurt, working with PPM Hungary to resolve technical and location issues. After post-production was completed, we caught up with directors Dimitrios Ladopoulos and Spyridon Rasidakis to get their feedback on working in our fine city.

PPM: What is your opinion on the locations you found around Budapest and Hungary?

Ladopoulos and Rasidakis: We really liked all the locations we used. They all have character.

PPM: Can you think of an interesting challenge during the preparation and shooting that was resolved beyond your expectations?

Ladopoulos and Rasidakis: There were always small challenges that were resolved very easily. We think the biggest challenge was having everything organized and planned ahead of time so that we could do the shooting in a very limited timeframe. And it worked out fine.

PPM: What was your overall feeling during your stay? Did you enjoy your time here in Budapest?

Ladopoulos and Rasidakis: We didn’t have enough time to really get to know the city, but we really enjoyed it. We loved the historical baths and the small bars and restaurants we happened upon during our late-night walks. The best asset of Budapest, though, is its people!

PPM: What were the main reasons to choose Budapest and PPM Film Productions?

Ladopoulos and Rasidakis: Nice people, excellent services, and an interesting city. What more can one ask for?

PPM: Would you recommend us to others?  If so, why?

Ladopoulos and Rasidakis: We would definitely recommend your services for all the above reasons.

Below, find some snaps from the FAGE shoot at MUPA.

We would like to thank Dimitrios Ladopoulos and Spyridon Rasidakis for taking the time to talk to us, and also send a shout out to the outstanding DOP on the FAGE shoot, Tamás Dobos, whose professional website can be found here.

PPM Film Services is a Budapest-based film company offering an inspiring and creative work atmosphere for its host of clients from around the world. Since our inception, our focus has been providing the best of the best in terms of local production resources, locations, cast and technical teams to ensure that whatever the production we’re charged to create, we do it with no compromise. To sign up for the PPM Hungary newsletter, have a look here.

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Location: The Palace of the Arts

In February of 2012 the Greek yogurt company FAGE (pronounced fa-yeh) alighted upon our fine city to shoot a spot for their Total line of Greek yogurt, allowing PPM Hungary to handle aspects of the production. With the intention of accentuating the classical, yet modern feeling of the Greek brand, they chose Budapest’s lauded Művész Palotája, or Palace of the Arts, as one primary location for the thirty-second ad.

Situated on the Pest side of the Danube – lit up at night like some luxury space ship – the Palace of the Arts is a sight to behold, and is a prominent part of the cityscape on view when approaching Budapest by boat from the south, or on most trains entering the city from the West. In the reigning government’s quest to cement Budapest’s reputation as the cultural center of Central Europe, planners conceived of an arts mecca, with the National Theater residing next door. Construction for the Palace commenced in 2002 and was completed two years later, with the aim of creating a world-class cultural venue, or an arts ‘shopping mall’ as some have called it. Comprising the Ludwig Museum, the Bartók National Concert Hall, and the Festival Theater Complex, MUPA is a significant addition to the cultural landscape, providing venues for both Hungarian and international exhibitions, concerts and producitons. MUPA does a lot, but the public spaces feel clean and uncluttered.

Since its christening, the Palace of Arts has won multiple design awards, including the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence in 2006 – which designers have dubbed ‘the Oscars of architecture and real estate development’. In the very next year, MUPA extended its streak by winning the FIABCI audience choice award in 2007.

As the pictures show, MUPA offers a range of visual styles and location opportunities.

Next Week:more on the FAGE spot, including an interview with the director.

PPM Film Services is a Budapest-based film company offering an inspiring and creative work atmosphere for its host of clients from around the world. Since our inception, our focus has been providing the best of the best in terms of local production resources, locations, cast and technical teams to ensure that whatever the production we’re charged to create, we do it with no compromise. To sign up for the PPM Hungary newsletter, have a look here.

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