Based on the world of the Brothers Grimm Illustration by Arthur Rackham

The screenplay is the result of a year-long process, which won Fliegauf a six-month scholarship to Germany. The screenplay was a success at the Berlin Film Festival, where the creators sought coproduction partners for the film.

Authentic world with fundamental qustions

Fliegauf admits that many B and C category fantasy films were made recently, and only The Lord of the Rings was able to create a high-standard and authentic world. Tündérkör also attempts to do the same: it won’t be characterized by a „chaotic, Tim Burtonesque look”, rather a coherent, carefully built world. Such a movie has not been made yet in the world of art cinema, the director claims.

The budget around Ft 1 billion is considered to be steep on the local scene, but in the fantasy genre it is a rather small amount. After Rengeteg, which had  a budget of Ft 1.5 million and  Dealer, which cost Ft 75 million to make, Fliegauf now hopes that the lack of funding won’t show on his film.  „Abroad they thought that Dealer cost five times more to make”, he says.

Grimm tales in the light of 2005 Illustration by Yvonne Gilbert

Instead of using numerous but low standard effects, the makers of Tündérkör decided to use only a few but high quality special effects in the film - world-class CGI-technology. The visual quality of the film will be established by the fantastic landscape instead. Tündérkör will be shot on Transylvanian locations with lakes, mountains, pine forests and cottages. This will create an atmosphere resembling the early Middle Ages yet very different from Christianity, in which elements of the tales of the Brothers Grimm will be shown in a ontemporary light. 

Big names – Harry Dean Stanton and Beth Gibbons

The filmmakers are eyeing the well-known American actor Harry Dean Stanton, who has already played more than 100 film roles. The problem is, however, that the actor is nearly 80 years old.  It is said that that is the reason why David Lynch, who likes to work with Stanton, gave him the smaller role in his 1999 Straight Story. Fliegauf, who likes Lynch a lot, thought of Stanton as his lead because of the role he played in Wim Wenders’ 1984 film Paris, Texas. „I need the same character in Tündérkör, only 20 years have passed since.”

"I need the same character, only 20 years have passed since ” Harry Dean Stanton in Paris, Texas

The other well-known name is Beth Gibbons, the lead singer of Portishead, Fliegauf is a great fan of hers. She would compose the score. „She loves the screenplay, we only need to agree about the financial details,” the director says.
 
The film’s producer András Muhi told filmhu that there are promising talks with the coproduction partners, and in the summer or fall of 2006 the shooting can start. In addition to a Ft 100 million selective support the MMK has offered on the Hungarian side, the producers are countin on coproduction and normative support as well, and will make use of the 20% tax rebate.  

Tündérkör will be shot mostly in Transylvania, a smaller part of it in Hungary, and one third in studio.