A historical series about the life of the Huniaz will be released this fall. Some critics have called the “Rise of Raven” series a “Game of Thrones” of Hungary. The production was financed by the Hungarian state.
Scene from the series. Source: Cinemagia.ro
The Hungarian state financed the making of one of the most expensive historical TV productions in Hungary, a series that tells the story of John of Hunedoara.
The trailer (preview) of the production “Rise of Raven” (Rise of the Raven) was released in early September 2024, and in the first two days of its publication on YouTube, it recorded more than 90,000 views. Some film critics called it Hungary’s Game of Thrones, a reference to the famous American TV series Game of Thrones.
“Europe, 15th century. While Hunyadi’s life is marred by scandals, political power plays and conspiracies between noble families in Warsaw, Rome, Belgrade and Vienna, his strongest allies are the women in his life: Elisabeta Szilagyii, his wife by his side and often fight. in his place, and Mara Brankovic, his first love, who then breaks his heart by becoming the main concubine at Sultan Murad’s court, as well as a close confidant of the Turkish leader. When the Ottoman Empire mobilizes an army of unprecedented size marching westward with the goal of conquering the Vatican and Europe, Hunyadi scores a decisive victory against all odds at the Battle of Belgrade, ending the Ottoman invasion and reshaping European history.” the film “Rise of Raven” is presented on the site dedicated to film productions IMDB.
The first episode presented at Cannes
The Hungarian series about the Huniaz (Corvins) family will have its world premiere at Cannes on October 22, 2024. Then, the first episode will be shown at MIPCOM (Marché International des Programs de Communication), a major television fair in the world. It will be broadcast in Hungary by TV2 in early 2025, reports the Hungarian publication Index.hu.
Filming began in the summer of 2022, and more than 600 international actors and stuntmen were involved in the production. The series is also unique in that the actors speak in their native languages, adding to its historical authenticity, index.hu informs.
The trailer of the new series presents war scenes and life at the court of kingdoms and empires from the period of John of Hunedoara. The story is based on the series of novels written by Bán Mor, and Ioan de Hunedoara is played by Kádár L. Gellért. The directors of the series, which will be broadcast in 2025, are Orsolya Nagypál and Attila Szász.
“Rise of the Raven is a new historical drama series that tells the story of Hungarian army commander John of Hunedoara’s life-long quest to defend Europe against an Ottoman invasion in the 16th century. The series is one of the most epic European TV productions of all time, produced by Robert Lantos (Hungarian Canadian film producer), who will be present at Cannes to present the first episode of this action.
John of Hunedoara in Rise of Raven. IMDB cover
Along with Robert Lantos, several cast members, episode directors and producers will be on stage for this exclusive MIPCOM Cannes world premiere TV screening, which will take place in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals on Tuesday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. , reported MIPCOM, on the Facebook page of the global TV and entertainment network.
“The series was sold under the title Rise of the Raven, because the bird is the coat of arms of the Huniaz family. The ten one-hour episodes follow the life of Ioan de Hunedoara, the general who was one of the most prominent figures in 15th century Europe. Defying the odds, he won a decisive victory at the Siege of Belgrade, transforming European history“, informs Index.hu.
According to producer Robert Lantos, the television production follows the story of a village boy who grows up to become a fearless warrior, the savior of Europe and the man for whom church bells toll at noon.
“The Boy Who Came From Nowhere Raised a Country”, MIPCOM representatives say, quoted by Index.hu. The production is unique in that the actors speak in their native languages, adding to its historical authenticity, the authors of the article add.
In 2021, when filming began, the international press announced that Hungary would produce one of the most expensive television series, with a budget of approximately 30 million euros, financed by the Hungarian state, through the National Film Institute.
Who was John of Hunedoara
In the Middle Ages, the Huniads were one of the most prominent noble families in Eastern Europe, and the man who brought glory to this family was John of Hunedoara, the medieval hero of Romanians, Serbs and Hungarians.
Ioan de Hunedoara (d. 1456), also known as Iancu de Hunedoara, ruled Transylvania in the mid-15th century and was also governor of Hungary.
Ioan de Hunedoara was the father of King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and distinguished himself through a brilliant military career. He led the armies that defended Europe from the Ottoman invasions, and in the summer of 1456 he managed to drive the armies of Sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror from the gates of the Belgrade fortress.
John of Hunedoara was not only an important historical figure in 15th century Europe, but also a hero of the legends of the time. Here are some amazing facts about the so-called “Athlete of Christ” (the nickname was given to him by Pope Calixtus III, for the defense of the Christian world against the Ottoman invasions)
