1. ON HUMANITARIAN WORK:

 

FOOD FOR LIFE

For 20 years, the Hungarian Food For Life Foundation has been  

distributing 200.000 plates of meal and hundreds of tons of non-perishable food yearly to the needy in Hungary, as well as in the disaster-striken areas internationally, such as Sri Lanka and Haiti. 

MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Director, Zoltan Szekeres Editor.

*

IN THE WAKE OF THE TSUNAMI 

Sri Lanka after the Tsunami. On 26th of December, 2004, the Earth trembled, and the implacable forces of Nature took their unprecedented toll within a matter of minutes. The surges left 300,000 dead, tens of thousands of homeless or orphaned - and a multitude of questions behind.  Besides physical help, people needed sympathy, encouragement and emotional support. The filmmakers follow members of humanitarian organizations feeding tens of thousands and providing refuge to orphans, while at the same time trying to find answers to distressing, existential questions: "Where was God at the time of the Tsunami? Why do bad things happen to good people?" MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Co-director. BROADCAST: July 17th 2005,  Hungarian National Television.

 

*

2. ON HISTORY:

 

HUNKY BLUES: THE AMERICAN DREAM 

The internationally acclaimed director and recipient of the Erasmus Award in 2007 Péter  Forgács has created a documentary exploring the fate of hundred thousands of Hungarian men and women who arrived in the United States between 1890 and 1921. To tell this saga, Forgács wove together footage from early American cinema, plus photographs and interviews. The grand epic reveals the difficult moments of arrival, integration and assimilation, which resulted in later generations` fulfillment of the American dream. CREDITS: Peter Forgacs Director, Gabor Kovacs Producer, Peter Sass Editing, Janos Masik Music, Krisztina Danka Research. SCREENINGS: May 2009 Museum of Modern Art, New York and National Gallery, Washington, DC; October 2009, Budapest, Hungary; November 2009. San Diego, Los Angeles, Cleveland, OH.

*

3. ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:

 

ECO-VALLEY: THE GREEN PATH OF

HARMONY

”Simple living – high thinking”: this is the motto of a community living on a 250 hectare territory near Somogyvamos, Hungary, established in 1993. One hundred and fifty young people, originally from the city, gradually have learned how to live in harmony with themselves, other living beings and Nature. The experiences they have acquired regarding a healthy lifestyle, organic agriculture and green energy are considered to be a great international resource, with tens of thousands visiting to learn from them each year. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Co-Director. BROADCAST: February 2008, Hungarian National Television, plus DVD-release. ADDITIONAL SCREENING: December 14th 2009, United Nations Climate Change Summit, Copenhagen.

Hu

 

VASTU: THE ANCIENT SCIENCE OF ARCHITECTURE

An international school is being built near the Ganges, in the middle of the Bengali jungle, using only natural building materials available within a 10 mile radius. Taking advantage of the proximity of the river and the wind patterns, the architects follow the rules of the ancient science of Vastu. In the process of helping the workers collect bamboo, straw and make huts, walls and fences, eager student apprentices expand their knowledge about Nature, and develop a deeper connection with each other and the environment around them. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Producer, Norbert Pálinkás Writer / Director. BROADCAST: From May 2006 on with repetitions, Deko TV (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.

*

4. ON RELIGION & INTERFAITH

 

REBIRTH OF A SOUL

Csilla, a well-known contemporary Hindu priestess, who is the director of a major charity organization, is expecting a baby. According to her faith, the soul is eternal, and is wearing a temporary body just like a dress. How does a Hindu priestess living in Europe get prepared to welcome her son? What does the rebirth of the soul and the concept of reincarnation mean to her?  MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Co-director. BROADCAST: 2006, Hungarian National Television

 

IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?

What exactly happens at the moment of death? What awaits us afterwards? Annihilation, redemption, resurrection or reincarnation? Prominent leaders of Catholicism and Hinduism enter into a dialogue and discuss the great mysteries of life and death, and the similarities and differences in their concepts. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Co-director. BROADCAST: August 2007, Hungarian National Television

 

KRISHNA THE PLAYFUL GOD

According to Plato, the human being is a playmate of God, and the world is God's playground. There are many cultures in human civilization that have the notion of a playful god or gods in their concepts. Among these figures is one of the most prominent: the Hindu god Krishna, whose mischievous, wily or celebratory activities have been preserved in thousands of literary works, paintings and sculptures throughout the millennia. This documentary elaborates on the importance of "play" in the world of religion and culture. MAIN CREDITS: Ferenc Csiszer Executive Producer, Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer, Norbert Pálinkás Director. BROADCAST: March 27th 2005, Hungarian National Television

 

A GURU`S PRIVATE LIFE

In 1949, Sivarama Swami, a Vaishnava Hindu monk, is born in Budapest as Peter Letai, the first and only child of Jewish parents, who survived Auschwitz. In 1956, during the Russian invasion of Hungary, the family decides to leave their homeland and start a new life in Canada. Peter gets converted to Calvinism, and later, during his college years, to the Hare Krishna community, one of the branches of Hinduism. At age 29, he takes a lifelong oath and joins the monastic order of this ancient tradition. He studies, writes, publishes, establishes new communities and becomes one of the most internationally well-known religious scholars and on of the most inspirational spiritual leaders of his era. In 1986, he moves back to Hungary, and despite persecution by the Communist regime, he teaches Hindu philosophy. In this documentary he very openly talks about his life, his challenges, and the relationship between power, wealth,fame and spirituality. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Co-Director. BROADCAST: 2008, Hungarian National Television

THE SMILE OF INDIA IN EUROPE

CREDITS: Ferenc Csiszer Producer, Klara Majoros Writer, Gyorgy Bartfai Director, Krisztina Danka Co-writer. 

BROADCAST: July 23rd 2003, Hungarian National Television

 

THE MANY FACES OF GOD - Series

CREDITS: Gabor Revai Writer, Krisztina Danka Self

BROADCAST: 2004, Hungarian National Television

 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS TODAY - Series

MAIN CREDITS: Elemer Hankiss Writer/Host, Krisztina Danka Self. BROADCAST: 2001, Hungarian National Television

 

THE HOUR OF GODS - Series

CREDITS: Peter Popper Writer/Host, Krisztina Danka Self. BROADCAST: November 1996, Hungarian National Television

 

*

5. ON RELIGION & ART:

 

WISDOM OF INDIA: THE SACRED ART

The ancient Indian epics have been exercising a major influence on pan-Asian art, philosophy and everyday life for many thousands of years. The Ramayana has been taught to every child and adult in India. However, listening to the story, the music, or looking at paintings and sculptures connected to the heroic king Rama have never faded general enthusiasm. By watching a play, going to temple and exhibitions, talking to famous actors, painters and writers, a young Hungarian scholar tries to understand the magic of the Ramayana. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Director. BROADCAST:  May 7th 2007, Hungarian National Television, plus DVD-release.

 

BAZAAR: SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLES

In India, traditional temples not only serve as religious centers, they also function as cultural, educational and judicial institutions frequented by hundreds or thousands every day. No wonder bazaars and colorful and fragrant marketplaces have sprung up near the temples. Two European hosts explore a 1400 year old, beautiful temple complex in South India, trying to find out more about the ancient architects and their secrets to transform formerly profane spaces into sacred ones.  MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Host, Norbert Pálinkás Director/Host. BROADCAST: From May 2007 on with repetitions, Deko TV (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.

 

*

6. ON RELIGION & SCIENCE:

NATURE`S I.Q. - Smart Animals Challenge Darwin

How do migrating birds find their destination? Why do some big fish eat all small fish but one? What is the Rosetta Stone of the bees` secret language? Where is animal intelligence coming from? 

How do animals know what, when and how to do what they do? Thanks to extensive research in this field, we understand the instinctive behavioral patterns of many animal species quite well. However, there are plenty of examples of animals with complex innate instincts that are still begging for explanation. Two young Hungarian scholars in their award-winning book entitled Nature`s I.Q., collected hundreds of such examples and present them to provoke further thinking and research about them. 

Adapting the book`s basic idea to the screen with compelling visuals and footage of animals in the wild, Nature`s I.Q. the documentary intends to entice the audience to question what they thought, and were taught, to be unshakeable truth. (For more info please visit: www.naturesiqfilm.com) MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Director, Mark DeGasperi, Istvan Tasi, Michael Cremo Associate Producers, Denes Doboveczki, Arpad Vikarius, Akos Rozsa DPs, Zoltan Szekeres Editor. 

 

WISDOM OF INDIA: THE AYURVEDA

The ancient Indian science called Ayurveda grows ever more popular in Western countries. A young European scholar takes an adventurous journey to Bengal, the Rajasthani desert and the Himalayas. He meets physicians, spiritual masters and psychologists to explore the secrets of health and happiness. He attempts to learn how to create harmony between the four levels of ”self” – the physical, emotional, intellectual and the spiritual. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Co-director. BROADCAST:  May 10th 2006, Hungarian National Television, plus DVD-release.

 

WISDOM OF INDIA: THE ASTROLOGY

Everyone is curious about his or her future and destiny. There is no magazine without a horoscope section, genuine or not. The Vedas, the ancient Indian sacred literature, give a detailed description about how the positions and movements of the planets influence all living beings. ”If they really do, how much free will do I have? What is fate? What am I responsible for?” To find answers to these questions, a young European scholar visits places in India to meet with a famous astrologer, a scientist, a spiritual master and a Swedish psychiatrist. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/Producer/Co-director, Norbert Pálinkás Co-director.  BROADCAST:  May 21st 2006, Hungarian National Television, plus DVD-release.

  

*

7. ON ART, CULTURE & INTER-CULTURAL RELATIONS:

 

BAZAAR: THE SOUTH INDIAN ART OF SILK WEAVING 

Two European hosts shop in the bazaar of Kancipuram, the South Indian capital of the ancient art of silk weaving. Krisztina closely examines the beautiful textile patterns and tries colorful saris on, but Norbi gets bored and initiates an idea to explore how saris are being made. Step by step, they follow the metamorphosis of raw silk strings into gorgeous textiles in the hands of artisans. Then they participate in a traditional wedding. They become enlightened about how people’s world view is connected to the way they dress.  MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/ Producer/Host, Norbert Pálinkás Director /Host. BROADCAST: From May 2007 on with repetitions, Deko TV (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.

 

BAZAAR: SOUTH INDIAN GRANITE SCULPTURES

Sculpting is one of the most ancient crafts in India. Time-resistant stone is one of the most important tools in preserving collective memory. Granite sculptures have been telling ancient stories and passing on their wisdom for thousands of years. The two European hosts examine sculptures in the bazaar of Mahabalipuram, visit a granite mine, a sculptor's workshop and exquisite, age-old buildings. MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Writer/

Producer/Host, Norbert Pálinkás Director/Host

BROADCAST: From May 2007 on with repetitions, Deko TV (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.

 

RAJASTHAN – 2006 Miniseries

The Rajasthani Handicraft 

The Rajasthani Royal Palaces

MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Producer, Norbert Pálinkás Writer/Director. BROADCAST: From May 2006 on with repetitions, Deko TV (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.

 

CULINARY ADVENTURES IN SOUTH INDIA  - 2007 Miniseries

From the Rice Field to the Kitchen 

The Milk Gift of the Sacred Cow 

The Multifunctional Coconut

MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Producer, Norbert Pálinkás Writer/Director. BROADCAST: From May 2007 on with repetitions, TV Paprika (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.

 

CULINARY ADVENTURES IN INDIA  - 2006 Miniseries

The Ayurvedic Cooking

The Bengali Market 

The Bengali Festival Menu (

MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Producer, Norbert Pálinkás Writer/Director. BROADCAST: From May 2006 on with repetitions, TV Paprika (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.

 

CULINARY ADVENTURES IN INDIA - 2007 Miniseries

The Traditional Indian Breakfast: Bengal

Traditional Indian Lunch: Uttar Pradesh 

Traditional Indian Dinner: Orissa 

MAIN CREDITS: Krisztina Danka Producer, Norbert Pálinkás Witer/Director. BROADCAST: From May 2005 on with repetitions, TV Paprika (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania), plus DVD-release.