French film star Depardieu set to produce own wine in Hungary
The French film star Gerard Depardieu is planning regular visits to Hungary. Locals are likely to see the great actor in the Badacsony Uplands, on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. But Depardieu won't be shooting a movie - he will be making wine at a vineyard he has bought in the area. Locals are hoping this association will boost tourism in the area. Radio Budapest's Agi Varga spoke to the tourist board manager László Oláh.
"A few years ago, if I'm not mistake in 2001, Hungary was the location of a mega-production - called Napoleon. During the shooting Depardieu was in Badacsony and met people in area. Instead of half an hour he spent more than half a day on his first visit.
"Then he went back for another meeting, just chatting with the people of Badacsony and since then they have kept the relationship and by phone and in the form of short visits.
"And then there was one of the biggest wine expos in Bordeaux in June, and on this occasion the Hungarian partner succeeded in organizing a common wine-tasting - the Hungarian wine-region and the Depardieu wine-region, the Anjou region."
Do we know anything about the exact plans of Mr Depardieu?
"It seems Depardieu has fallen in love with Hungary, particularly Lake Balaton and Badacsony. And he's ready to make some kind of arrangement and to have the possibility of making his own wine at Lake Balaton, both white wine and red wine."
How does the tourism board come into the picture?
"Maybe it sounds strange but for a few years we have been trying to make agreements with famous personalities, not only actors but different personalities, in Hungary and outside Hungary, and using this really special relationship to promote the country, to make a special emphasis on what Hungary has to offer to tourists."
Can you tell us some of the other potential partners you have contacted?
"It is maybe too early to mention other projects or other names because we should finalise all these agreements. It's not a question of money, it's an approach, it's a special relationship, like in this case with Mr Depardieu, who hasn't asked for any money.
"He's a pro-European man who was part of the EU campaign to vote yes in the last election. And he is ready to work with anybody in Europe. That's why this is a special occasion, and that's why we are looking for other occasions and that's why I'm not in a position to tell you any other names."
