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“Andy Vajna was a dear friend and a revolutionary force in Hollywood. He proved that you don’t need studios to make huge movies like Terminator 2 or Total Recall. He had a huge heart, and he was one of the most generous guys around. I’ll miss him.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger

“When you work with Andy, the buck stops with him. I don’t deal with anybody else. It becomes very much Andy’s movie, one singer, one song.”

Danny Cannon, director of Judge Dread

“Vajna defined what would become known as the ‘big action picture’. He really has a wide range of talent and ability.”

Tim Warner, general chairman of film company NATO / ShoWest

“You can’t make an actor act. You have got to create an atmosphere he wants to perform. It can be hell.”

Andrew G. Vajna

“A very very sad day ... Producer ANDY VAJNA, the man that Made Rambo happened, died today… LOVED this man’s courage - a pioneer. Believed In making FIRST BLOOD when no one else did.…This truly breaks my heart. Rip”

Sylvester Stallone

“I decided to learn something that I could do no matter where I lived – I became a hairdresser. I chose hairdressing because it is a useful skill and one that I could always go back to. Knowing this gave me great security and the freedom to explore other avenues.”

Andrew G. Vajna

“Working with Andy was the best experience of my career and he makes the world’s greatest bouillabaisse.”

Steven de Souza, screenwriter Judge Dredd

“He’s got great respect for the director and courage to do projects that aren’t so easy… He won’t let you down; you can trust him.”

Paul Verhoeven, director of Total Recall

“The profession is never boring. I have found the interesting things in everything I have ever done. So none of my occupations ever seemed like work.”

Andrew G. Vajna

“Andy Vajna was a great friend and collaborator. He believed in me on one of my toughest shoots, Terminator 2. I will miss him, his humor, class and style, but especially the motorcycle rides.”

James Cameron

“We’re glad to be a part of your lifetime.”

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore to Andy when he received NATO/ShoWest Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995

“Andy doesn’t compare to anybody else in this business. Andy is unique, he’s independent; he’s a rare blend of entrepreneur and film maker. He puts his money on the line time and time again, and he’s won as big as anyone in this town. You’ve got to admire somebody like that.”

Jeffrey Katzenberg, Dream Works SKG Partner

“When Andy gives you his word, you know it’s good. And no matter how tough the going gets, you can count on him. He’s got nerves of steel.”

Joe Roth, chairman, Walt Disney Motion Picture Group

“I fell in love in love with Andy the moment I met him, because for once I’d met a Hungarian in Hollywood who was not only more successful than I was, but also crazier.”

Joe Eszterhas

“He’s one of the few people around with the balls to play with his own money. His word carries a lot of weight. He’s personally out on the line. It’s always given me a lot of respect for him. Andy is always involved. He’s your partner or your boss, but he offers guidance as opposed to instructions… He approaches business in a sort of family style. He keeps the same friends for 30 years, and that’s kind of remarkable.”

John McTiernan, director of Medicine Man and Die Hard With a Vengeance

Budapest on film


“Hungary and Budapest offer great locations and a well-equipped infrastructure for film productions. For instance, Hungary has the largest water tank in continental Europe, which was used in "Blade Runner 2049,” Andy Vajna tells CNN Travel.

CNN Travel has delivered a report on Hungary, showcasing Budapest's stunning film locations. Journalist Nathan Kay writes that Budapest's starring role in various film productions has become more and more frequent. 

The stunning Hungarian capital has provided a backdrop for many big budget flicks, including “Blade Runner 2049,” “Red Sparrow,” “Inferno,” Spy,” “Evita,” “Atomic Blonde,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” and there's even more to come, Kay writes.

Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie, Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford and Jennifer Lawrence have all made this destination home while shooting in the area. The report states that new releases “Colette,” “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” The Terror” and “Robin Hood,” have brought even more big names to Budapest in recent months.

Thanks to investments made by the Hungarian National Film Fund, the country's movie industry has become one of the most influential movements in Europe's film business.

Kay writes that during its classic period, which lasted throughout the 1950s and '60s, the country's film industry was more synonymous with its Communist-era past. 

This all changed in the early 2010s, when Hungarian-born producer Andy Vajna, the man behind “Terminator,” and “Rambo,” helped Hungary break into the modern movie business when he took over as the country's film commissioner.

“We created an attractive tax incentive scheme for the productions,” Vajna tells CNN Travel, referring to the 25 percent tax rebate for which films produced in Hungary are eligible.

“Hungary and Budapest offer great locations and a well-equipped infrastructure for film productions. For instance, Hungary has the largest water tank in continental Europe, which was used in "Blade Runner 2049.”

“We don't just put focus on developing and financing Hungarian movies, the Hungarian National Film Fund also started an education and trainee program to strengthen the Hungarian film industry.”

This means that, not only are big budget films being shot throughout Hungary and Budapest, the country is also building its very own flourishing film industry -- evident in the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning production “Son of Saul,” as well as Golden Bear winner “On Body and Soul.”

Kay has showcased ten stunning Budapest movie locations in his article including Parliament, Heroes' Square, Basilica and more.

Check out the full article here.

(Source: About Hungary)

June, 2018