A Cinematic Exploration of Eastern Europe

The Eastern Europe film industry has long been shaped by shared histories of fascism, communism and liberation, with its cinema reflecting a stark, gritty past. From Czech New Wave to Hungarian war dramas, directors from the region have explored the tragedies and absurdities of the human condition. Today, cities such as Prague and Budapest are sought-after filming locations, boasting world-class studios and crews that attract global talent. Our editors dive into this evolving cinematic landscape and look at films that have been set, filmed or directed by moviemakers from the former Eastern Bloc.

Hungary

Most of the filming in BAFTA-winning ‘The Brutalist’ took place in Hungary, where the grand yet dilapidated buildings of Budapest’s industrial areas provided an anachronistic glimpse of 1950s Philadelphia. Production designer Judy Becker skilfully repurposed Hungarian locations to represent the Van Buren Institute, the building that László Tóth (Adrien Brody) was tasked with designing. The interior shots were then reconstructed, inspired by architect Marcel Breuer. Other highlights for cinephiles include director Béla Tarr, renowned for his apocalyptic slow cinema, and Miklós Jancsó, known for his antifascist commentaries on Soviet power dynamics.

For those exploring Budapest’s cinematic past, Párisi Udvar offers a grand neoclassical setting reminiscent of a film set, with gothic influences and details that feel straight out of a Wes Anderson movie.

STILL FROM THE BRUTALIST. COURTESY OF UPI MEDIA.

Poland

In keeping with Adrien Brody's filmography, The Pianist (2002) was filmed in the Praga district of Warsaw. With only a quarter of the neighbourhood destroyed during World War II, the architecture provided the perfect backdrop to recreate prewar scenes. Andrzej Wajda, a brilliant Eastern European filmmaker, directed the 1958 classic Ashes and Diamonds, offering a sharp critique of postwar Poland. Set against thawing communist oppression, his films explore moral anxieties of the Polish national psyche.

For those inspired by Warsaw’s rich film history, Hotel Bristol - an Art Deco landmark just minutes from the Royal Castle - offers a fittingly elegant retreat.

AERIAL SHOT OF PRAGA, WARSAW.

Czech Republic

Robert Eggers’ 2024 remake of the 1920s German expressionist film ‘Nosferatu’ has garnered critical acclaim, particularly for production designer Craig Lathrop. Constructing sixty sets in Prague, he drew inspiration from Transylvania to create the fictional town of Wisborg. The courtyard of Count Orlock’s castle was filmed at Pernštejn Castle in Czechia, while exterior shots were taken at Romania’s decaying Corvin Castle. Věra Chytilová, a pioneer of Czech Avant-Garde cinema, is also a director to watch, known for her 1966 experimental film Daisies.

Andaz Prague is ideal for unwinding after a day of culture, with its historic building and excellent dining options.