Tag Jonah Film Entertainment

Our film Necklace was invited to several festivals. Now, the great Sweet Democracy Film Awards – from Rome – have recognised our work with the Best Screenplay Award. Thank you!

Peter Halmi director, producer, screenwriter. He began his career as an actor. He played leading roles in numerous performances in Germany, Japan, Canada and in the United States . He was inveted to Los Angeles in 2012 where he worked as a stage director. He is the Artistic Director of Jona Films Paris later on Jonah Film Entertainment since 2017 when he started his film career. He made his debut as a co-producer in the short movie ‘Les Recherches Continuent/Scruple’ (2018). The film received the Grand Prix of Bujtor Istvan Film Festival after that the film was presented in West Los Angeles and North Hollywood as well. ‘Le Collier/The Necklace’ was also shooted in Paris, of which he was the director, co-producer and screenwriter (2020). The film received the Best Cinematography in Sweden, the Best Director Award – the Special Jury Prize in India, Bollywood, and the “Inspiration Woman in a Film” award in Hollywood, Los Angeles (2020). His first feature film ‘In the Shadow of White’ is being shooted.

What’s definitely necessary to be a good director?

I think the good director knows when to speak up – or shut up. This is basically an extension of being diplomatic. Sometimes that thing you really want to say, you don’t say. The good director knows this and exercises restraint in what he or she says.

How old you were when you decided you wanted to be a director?

A few years ago…I was an succesful actor, but i never studied directing and I never really thought about doing it, and then I just found myself in that situation and tried it.

For you a Film is...

For me a film is more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what’s behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later.

What do you feel when you’re directing?

What inspires someone to become a film director? Filmmaking requires creativity and passion. Films have the power to create new worlds and generate empathy. But that process of creation takes painstaking efforts. Love for storytelling or sheer passion for filmmaking are reasons enough for someone to take this path.

You can go to the Movies with an actor or actress that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who you’re gonna watch it?

I’d go with my wife Kristina Goztola and see our first feature film, which she is starring in and which is expected to be released in the summer of 2022. It’s called ‘In the Shadow of White.’ I’m really excited…

Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?

The human mind is a magical labyrinth. It is a mystical universe within you, where everything eventually materializes. So be careful of what you put in it. For it is only your thoughts that can decide the possible from the impossible.

Can you live just of your passion?

Oh yes! Passion is the energy that keeps us going, that keeps us filled with meaning, and happiness, and excitement, and anticipation. Passion is a powerful force in accomplishing anything you set your mind to, and in experiencing work and life the fullest extent possible.

What’s more important talent or luck?

Highly successful people have three things in common: motivation, ability, and opportunity. If we want to succeed, we need a combination of hard work, talent, and luck.

You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie…

Cast Away – by Robert Zemeckis. Tom Hanks stars in this long movie, carrying much of the journey on his own, along with a volleyball he names Wilson. A captivating watch, viewers see what happens to a work-obsessed man when his plane crashes into the ocean and he washes up on a deserted island on an inflatable life raft, left to live a life of solitude for what ends up being years. I would draw a lot of ideas from it.

Have you ever accepted a movie to direct even if you didn’t like the project?
This has never happened before, as we produce our own films. But if I was asked to do it, it would be important for me to love the project, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to get the best out of it.

What’s the best compliment you have received about your Job?

A prestigious festival described my film Necklace as “magnificent cinematographic value”. I am very honoured.

Are you satisfied about your career?

Yes. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.

Do you have a good luck charm?

I don’t carry lucky charms, but I believe in those things.

Which is the worst moment on set?

During the filming of Necklace, traffic in Paris was blocked due to the strike. But my great team solved this problem. Thank you for your work!

How do you feel when a job you’ve been part of it’s ending?

Goodbyes are hard when you grew to love what you’re leaving, but every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

Have you ever lied to get a job?

I don’t need it. I live my life without lies, it’s a good investment in the long run.

If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to….
My muse and wife Kristina, without her nothing would have been possible.

Source from newyorkmovieawards.com

Kristina, congratulations again on winning the Inspiring Woman in Film award. Before we talk about the movie and your role as Maia, please introduce yourself. What made you interested in storytelling and how did you start out?

Thank you, it’s a great pleasure to receive this award.

As a little girl my dream was to be an actress. At very young I sarted to learn dancing, singing, so at the age of 19, I was already playing leading roles in theatrical musicals. My life was about music and theatre. Until one day I saw Jessica Lange in Eugene O’Neil’s drama in the West End.

You studied acting in London and in Los Angeles – do you feel educational training is essential for actors?

I always think back with gratitude to my wonderful masters. The Meisner technique learned at the Actor Center in London, gave me self-confidence in front of the camera. In Los Angeles I received great encouragement from my teachers, saying that I have a place in the international film market.

What is your all-time favorite movie?

The Devil’s Advocate with Al Pacino and Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn.

Juliette Binoche’s beautiful acting in „The English Patient” dazzles me.

You’re an in-demand actress, with a very impressive list of credits! What were some of the highlights of your career so far, and how do you deal with the stress that comes with this career?

I’m proud to have filmed with Jason Clarke, Rosamund Pike in „The Man with the Iron Heart” biographical action movie. I enjoyed the shooting with Kristanna Loken in the American-Canadian action television series „Painkiller Jane”.

It was wonderful to play in Matei Visniec’s two-act drama in Paris and in Avignon.

Sport is very important to me. Whether swimming or yoga, it helps to refresh not only physically but also spiritually. Our profession is a constant competition, which is why I love it so much. I enjoy the challenges.

What is your dream role and which film director would you like to work with in the future?

It would be wonderful to work with Quentin Tarantino, Luc Besson and Woody Allen.

We work on scenarios and several film plans with my husband Peter Halmi. If these films will be realized I will be satisfied.

Let’s talk about The Necklace and your role as Maia. Your performance is wonderful and so full of nuance. How did you get into the mindset of Maia, what did you do to prepare for this shoot?

Maia a young girl full of dreams and ambition. There are stations in the lives of all of us when we are at a crossroads and we have to decide. We have to choose between good and bad. Many times these moral decisions affect our entire lives. For Maia, the necklace is a symbol of prosperity and wealth in the film, she becomes obsessed with it. When we shot the scene of Maia arriving in Paris, I remembered when I was first time in New York. It was beautiful and I felt so tiny among the huge skyscrapers.

As an immigrant yourself, you could probably identify with some of the difficulties the character experienced. Did you find any additional similarities between you and Maia, that you could identify with?

I was born in a European Union country, I live here and I mainly work here. Paris is wonderful, perfect place for an artist, I have lot of friends here. I have nothing in common with Maia. I could never, even in thought, exploit or deceive a blind man. Maia is more of a negative character in the film but through her personality I tried to show that female vanity can take us women in the wrong direction.

The film goes in-depth into exploring our emotional vulnerability and complicity as humans, as well as physical disabilities. Which scene was the most challenging for you, and why?

Mathieu Barbos played wonderfully the role of the blind man. Maia is indifferent to his disabilities and looks at him coldly, insensitively. When I see someone crying, I hug him, comfort him…..Depicting the selfishness and insensitivity of Maia was the biggest challenge for me.

What was it like to work with actors Mathieu Barbos and Eric da Costa? Was there any improv on set, or did you mainly stick to the screenplay?

We did a lot of rehearsals with Mathieu before shooting. It was important that the movement of his body be accurate. Our friend Jean-Philippe is a french musician and blind. He gave us advice how to make Mathieu’s play credible. Eric has a great cinematic proficiency with a great sense of humour, so Peter let him improvise sometimes.

  Kristina Goztola & Peter Halmi  

You’re working closely with your husband, director-producer Peter Halmi. What’s your secret to a successful creative collaboration?

We think very similarly. Peter started his career as a theater director and he also worked in Los Angeles where he directed musicals. We have a lot in common. The actors love to work with him because he is prepared, precise and always knows what he wants.

As an actress, you’re on set a lot, and meet so many filmmakers. In your opinion, what is the common mistake film directors do? And what are some things you’d encourage film directors to do more when working with actors?

As a producer as well I’m convinced that pre-productions for the films are decisive. It is not good for an actor to see that a director is uncertain, nervous or tense. There is no time to nurture the actor’s soul during shooting but if I see that the director is confident and beleives in me, I feel safe in front of the camera.

Your character in the film – Maia, is very inspiring in the way she shows the right direction for younger girls. What is your message to them?

The female attraction originates from the soul. If it is not accompanied by the power of purity, the outer beauty withers from within.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming actors who wish to follow in your footsteps?

Train yourself! Be yourself! Don’t imitate anyone! Be unique and unrepeatable!

What are you currently working on?

We are working on the preparations of a tv-movie. It’ll be a romantic drama and just like in „The Necklace” we put emphasis on the triple unit of drama, music and beauty such as in opera performances.

Where can our readers follow your work?

http://kristinagoztola.com

https://instagram.com/kristinagoztola

https://facebook.com/kristinagoztola

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3181081

Is there anything you’d like to add, or someone you wish to thank?

I’d like to thank you for the interview.

Kristina Goztola won the ‘Inspiration Woman in a Film’ award to the Los Angeles Film Awards! Congratulation!

“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there“

Meryl Streep

BIO

Kristina Goztola was born in the small town of Hungary, near the Austrian border. The “Mediterranen Beauty” speaks fluent English, French, Italian, Hungarian.

She studied classical ballet and folk dance for seven years and graduated in High School of Music Arts in Hungary. She began her career as a musical actress in Hungary.

After playing a few leading roles in musical performances, (Kiss me Kate! Stowaway, Miss Susy) at the age of 22 she continued her studies in London and in Los Angeles in New York Film Academy to become Screen actress.

She got the role of Natasha in the american-canadian TV series Painkiller Jane (2007). Thenceforth played in popular Hungarian TV series In the Line of Fire (2009), Életképek (2009) Hacktion (2013). Thanks to her mediterranean appearance is often invited to play Italian, Spanish roles, Captain Alatriste (2013) Chi pensa a me? (2014).

She was offered the role of Christine Wiegel in the American-French-English-Belgian co-production The Man with the Iron Heart (2017) in which she played the lover of Reinhard Heydrich, starred by Jason Clarke.

She was invited to Avignon to one of the biggest theatrical festivals in the world to play the leading role in french language in the drama of Matei Visniec “Du sexe de la femme comme champ de bataille” (2015) where the performance was nominated for the prize of Tournesol.

Owing to her french success, she established the film company Jona Films Paris later on Jonah Film Entertainment (2017). She made her debut as a producer in the short movie Les Recherches Continuent 2018. The film – was shot in Paris and in which she played the female leading role – received the main prize of Bujtor Istvan Film Festival in Hungary (2018) after that the film was presented in West Los Angeles and North Hollywood as well. For her acting in the film she received the Best Actress Prize by Sweden Film Awards (2020).

In 2019 at Cannes Film Festival, as actress she represented the beautiful collection of the world famous Israeli fashion designer Michal Negrin.

„Le Collier” / „The Necklace” french-hungarian co-production was also shooted in Paris, of which she was the protagonist and producer (2020). The film received the Best Cinematography, the Best Director Award – Peter Halmi and the Special Jury Prize in India, Bollywood (2020).

“Scruple” is certainly a complex film, with a refined and wise narrative construction. But we can also say that it is an adrenaline-pumping, tense and disturbing film that keeps the viewer glued to the screen from the first minute to the last. Certainly this is also due to the actors’ interpretation. Of all, your performance is certainly the most multifaceted, exciting and demanding. Tell us about your work of identification and character building. How do you manage to bring out these disturbing and painful emotions? Do you draw and rework from your personal past or are you able to empathize with the character?

In the movie I act the part of a mother whose 4 year-old girl disappears. Without having found the little girl the police closes the investigation but she is unable to settle for this. The script was based on a novel by the famous and wonderful Italian writer Giorgio Scerbanenco. The film is unfortunately is very topical as the number of missing children increases year by year. I don’t have children yet. While preparing for the role I was talking to mothers. I asked them how to move forward with such a tragedy, how it can be accepted. They replied that it is impossible to accept it. What is the most horrible in such a situation is the uncertainty.

We were saying, in fact, how strong are the emotions and situations represented in this film. Your acting manages to impressively convey the terror, the agonizing expectation, the suspicion … in short, you really got into character. But let’s not forget that you are also the producer of this film! How did you manage to handle both of these roles? Was it easy to slip from one position to another throughout the production of the film?

Multiple energies need to be invested in the work as a producer, ranging from film preparations to post-production. As an actor you can relax between two scenes. When I didn’t have to be on the set as an actress I still watched if everything was all right. I noticed that I was more excited for the other actors than for myself. In this case, it is especially important to work with a professional, reliable team.

Independent cinema, even more the short one, has always struggled against the stringent limits of budget and production. But in this same tension, he often finds his highest and most original artistic form. As the producer of this film, what was the hardest thing you faced? 

Here, I would like to say thank again to Cecilia Scerbanenco, Giorgio Scerbanenco’s daughter. Without her, this film would not have been come true. With this film I want to draw people’s attention to take great care of our children. This is a collective responsability, regardless of whether you are a parent or not. Yes, this is a low budget short movie but with great team and with excellent actors. I would single out the work of Eric da Costa, who played the role of the Commissioner.

The results of your work as an actress are clearly seen on the screen. A careful and expert eye also manages to grasp your precious contribution as a producer. But which role do you prefer?

It is hard to choose. I’m very glad that I received the Best Actress trophy from Sweden Film Awards for this role. I’m really satisfied that the film was presented in the Laemmle’s Royal Theater in Los Angeles, and the Laemmle’s NoHo7 Theater in Hollywood and we got the Grand Prix in Hungary.

As a producer of the film, your role is halfway between the artistic enthusiasm and the concreteness of the project, in all its aspects. When you have to choose a role as a producer, what is it that attracts you the most? In other words, what inspires you?

The work of a producer requires a different vision than that of an actor. You have to be a sensitive actress in your heart and a realistic, forward-thinking in your head all the same time. The key is always a good scenario. Peter Halmi, our company’s Jonah Film Entertainment’s Artistic Director generally writes the scripts. We like to mix classic and modern elements in human destinies.

Your role as an actress, on the other hand, requires an intimate and personal artistic effort. You are deeply connected with the narrative material. What are your favorite roles and what excites you when you read a script?

It was fantastic to work with Jason Clarke in „The Man with the Iron Heart”. It was very good to make the shooting with the director Peter Halmi in „The Necklance” for which we also received a number of awards. As an actress my first question always is „Who will be the director”. As an actress, it is not the budget that matters but to represent artistic value and be credible in the role.

Kristina Goztola won “Best Actress” at Sweden Film Awards!

Congratulation!

The movie is here!

Hungarian film success in India! Kristina Goztola and Peter Halmi’s new movie won two awards at one of the world’s biggest film festivals in Bollywood.

Two Awards – Best Director and Special Jury – from Mumbai, Bollywood. Thank you Indo-Global International Film Festival!