Remembering Hollywood Legend Adolph Zukor in His Hungarian Birthplace
To commemorate the 151st anniversary of the birth of Adolph Zukor (born: Adolf Czukor), the founding father of Paramount Pictures, one of the world’s largest film studios, a ceremony was held in his home village of Ricse, which is located in northeastern Hungary.
Various organizations including the Hungarian Hollywood Council, the Hungarian Film Academy, and the Municipality of Ricse participated in the event. They laid a wreath at the memorial plaque in the lobby of the local community center while Mayor István Vécsi delivered welcoming remarks. A round table discussion moderated by Balázs Bokor, President of the Hungarian Hollywood Council, was also held to remember the great film mogul.
Participants, including Márta Horváthné Fekszi, CEO of Origo Film Group, and notable directors Zsolt Pozsgai and Sándor Gerebics, spoke about the influence of Adolph Zukor on the development of film production, the current state of independent Hungarian filmmaking, and the impact of Zukor’s heritage. They also discussed the behind-the-scenes of film production and the validation of their methods and vision.
Additionally, the Adolph Zukor Memorial House, which opened in 2023 in the birthplace of the filmmaker, was visited by the participants, underlining the importance of Zukor’s legacy. Furthermore, the Hungarian Hollywood Council has declared January 7 as the Adolph Zukor Memorial Day to honor his contributions to the film industry.
A documentary titled “Fox vs. Zukor – A Hollywood Story” is currently in production, exploring the birth of Hollywood film production through the life and rivalry of Adolph Zukor and 20th Century Fox’s eponymous studio founder, William Fox. The feature-length film will recount the lives and careers of the two studio founders who emigrated to America, as well as their contributions to Hollywood film production and their rivalry.
The legacy of Adolph Zukor continues to be celebrated, honoring his significant impact on the film industry.
