On Monday Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted the following on his Facebook page: “This is a great day for Hungarian filmmaking. Thank you, everybody”. He was expressing his congratulations after László Nemes’ “Son of Saul” won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in Los Angeles.

The Holocaust drama directed by László Nemes is the first Hungarian production since 1982 to have been honoured by America’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; 34 years ago István Szabó’s “Mephisto” won this award. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Nemes thanked his collaborators – including leading actor Géza Röhring and Hungary, for funding the film. "Even in the darkest hours of mankind, there might be a voice within us that allows us to remain human”, he said, in relation to the intent behind the film.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)