IMRE MAZLO
Director/Writer/Producer of Ten out of the Ten
What topic do you discuss in your script? And why?
I would like to open the eyes of many people towards those who, because of some idea or some selfish reasons devote their possible salvation for the sake of a better eartlhly life. I think there is a kind of self sacrifice arising from human ignorance combined with some false sense of untouchability, thereby distorting the judgement of strong, upright people. I am convinced that holy people do not sacrifice the salvation of their souls, they are good because they obey God's rules and laws, since they want to get to heaven. We can say they are driven by self interest. On the contrary, those who, such as criminals and politicians, throw away the eternal orders in the hope of earthly prosperity. Here, too, we can distinguish between two types of criminals and politicians. The good criminal, so to speak, breaks God's commandments in order to help those in need, like some kind of Robin Hood. He takes it from the rich and gives it to the poor, knowing that he will most likely not go to heaven because of it. Despite everything, he accepts the punishment after life on earth. The evilish one only looks at the well-being of himself and his immediate environment. A good politician chooses the wrong path because he has sworn to protect his state and its people. Therefore, if necessary, he starts a war, lies, even kills. But my main character in my short film is the last General Secretary of the former Hungarian People's Republic, who isn't led by any supreme interests but by a much worse and more evil force: the money, the greed of power, the human stupidity and materialism. I believe, that there are some people, who have been keeping all the 10 commandments of God in their whole life but I've never met one of them. My film also tries to show, how simply people can make mistakes again and again, and therefore how easily they can break even in a morning all of the fundamentals, wich mostly define the human-being.
How do people feel after reading your script?
In one thing everyone agrees. Namely, that I succeeded to show certain problems (still existing today ) in the past through eternal laws. All this while observing a grotesque figure. I had a similar goal.
Do you think that films can change people for the better or for the worse?
It is difficult to form already mature people into this or that, but we must believe that whatever we do for the good, it must have an effect in the right direction. Especially in children and young adults. Otherwise, what would be the point of anything?
According to 3-act dramaturgy, how would you define your story?
The location was decisive. This is where I come from, Hungary. And because I live there, I also experienced the boundless evil of communism in the first 19 years of my life. This evil is embodied in the character of my main character. Through this man, the action sequence shows how weak we can be under the influence of circumstances. In a communist country, only those who were at least communist party members could advance. The dirtiest became leaders. Blood is on their hands and evil is on their souls. I have personal grievances, more specifically, against all members of my family, but I didn't show them in this film. That could be another story.
How does the main character develop?
Imre Madách expressed it in his masterpiece, The Tragedy of Man: "I can give nothing but my essence." Well, our hero gives exactly what his essence is. The deepest bottom of humanity. Intemperance without any remorse. An indicator of the development of the main character is that he pushes himself more and more into the swamp. In the scene at the very end, the essential quality of the character reaches its peak, when he announces the news of his comrade's death and does not wait for the end of the one-minute silent mourning, but after a few seconds closes the novel of his "development" with another crime.
What actors do you imagine in your project (typologically)?
There were certain human traits that I thought a character like Peter should play. A younger actor could not have played this so well. It was important to bring the style features that we identify with, e.g. the dictators. He was very easy to work with. At every moment he delivered what I asked of him.
Why do you think your script should attract director?
Because I always choose the best out of 100 options and give it for reading. I am also willing to make changes that I don't really want, but for some reason I am convinced by the counterarguments.
At which festivals did you receive the award?
To be honest, we have won in so many places that it would be difficult to list them all. We have dozens of wins for Best Picture or Best Director.
Which screenwriters are your favorite and why?
There are a lot of them I respect and acknowledge each of them for different reasons, especially those with ability to create a script with eventful stories and cristal clear cohesion between the events.
Abour which topics are your screenplays?
They are mostly about actual events from the past, that can convey eternal messages.
What motivates you the most to write screenplays?
To bring truths to people and give them hope for good.
What are your plans in future careers?
I would like to bring a true story set in the 1950's to the screen. Full of unimaginable action, an explanation that only life can produce.
I would like to open the eyes of many people towards those who, because of some idea or some selfish reasons devote their possible salvation for the sake of a better eartlhly life. I think there is a kind of self sacrifice arising from human ignorance combined with some false sense of untouchability, thereby distorting the judgement of strong, upright people. I am convinced that holy people do not sacrifice the salvation of their souls, they are good because they obey God's rules and laws, since they want to get to heaven. We can say they are driven by self interest. On the contrary, those who, such as criminals and politicians, throw away the eternal orders in the hope of earthly prosperity. Here, too, we can distinguish between two types of criminals and politicians. The good criminal, so to speak, breaks God's commandments in order to help those in need, like some kind of Robin Hood. He takes it from the rich and gives it to the poor, knowing that he will most likely not go to heaven because of it. Despite everything, he accepts the punishment after life on earth. The evilish one only looks at the well-being of himself and his immediate environment. A good politician chooses the wrong path because he has sworn to protect his state and its people. Therefore, if necessary, he starts a war, lies, even kills. But my main character in my short film is the last General Secretary of the former Hungarian People's Republic, who isn't led by any supreme interests but by a much worse and more evil force: the money, the greed of power, the human stupidity and materialism. I believe, that there are some people, who have been keeping all the 10 commandments of God in their whole life but I've never met one of them. My film also tries to show, how simply people can make mistakes again and again, and therefore how easily they can break even in a morning all of the fundamentals, wich mostly define the human-being.
How do people feel after reading your script?
In one thing everyone agrees. Namely, that I succeeded to show certain problems (still existing today ) in the past through eternal laws. All this while observing a grotesque figure. I had a similar goal.
Do you think that films can change people for the better or for the worse?
It is difficult to form already mature people into this or that, but we must believe that whatever we do for the good, it must have an effect in the right direction. Especially in children and young adults. Otherwise, what would be the point of anything?
According to 3-act dramaturgy, how would you define your story?
The location was decisive. This is where I come from, Hungary. And because I live there, I also experienced the boundless evil of communism in the first 19 years of my life. This evil is embodied in the character of my main character. Through this man, the action sequence shows how weak we can be under the influence of circumstances. In a communist country, only those who were at least communist party members could advance. The dirtiest became leaders. Blood is on their hands and evil is on their souls. I have personal grievances, more specifically, against all members of my family, but I didn't show them in this film. That could be another story.
How does the main character develop?
Imre Madách expressed it in his masterpiece, The Tragedy of Man: "I can give nothing but my essence." Well, our hero gives exactly what his essence is. The deepest bottom of humanity. Intemperance without any remorse. An indicator of the development of the main character is that he pushes himself more and more into the swamp. In the scene at the very end, the essential quality of the character reaches its peak, when he announces the news of his comrade's death and does not wait for the end of the one-minute silent mourning, but after a few seconds closes the novel of his "development" with another crime.
What actors do you imagine in your project (typologically)?
There were certain human traits that I thought a character like Peter should play. A younger actor could not have played this so well. It was important to bring the style features that we identify with, e.g. the dictators. He was very easy to work with. At every moment he delivered what I asked of him.
Why do you think your script should attract director?
Because I always choose the best out of 100 options and give it for reading. I am also willing to make changes that I don't really want, but for some reason I am convinced by the counterarguments.
At which festivals did you receive the award?
To be honest, we have won in so many places that it would be difficult to list them all. We have dozens of wins for Best Picture or Best Director.
Which screenwriters are your favorite and why?
There are a lot of them I respect and acknowledge each of them for different reasons, especially those with ability to create a script with eventful stories and cristal clear cohesion between the events.
Abour which topics are your screenplays?
They are mostly about actual events from the past, that can convey eternal messages.
What motivates you the most to write screenplays?
To bring truths to people and give them hope for good.
What are your plans in future careers?
I would like to bring a true story set in the 1950's to the screen. Full of unimaginable action, an explanation that only life can produce.