Torn from the Flag: A Film by Klaudia Kovacs

Torn from the Flag is a true eye-opener on international policies. It gives you a very thorough understanding of the history surrounding the Cold War Era and the ideology of communism with touching and moving testimonies from several interesting interviewees. It shows us the unforeseen consequences of Western good intent and propaganda espousing democracy and freedom without the necessary follow-through - like our current situation in the Middle East. Director Klaudia Kovacs' courageous and exciting film examines these important matters through her young, compassionate, non-judgmental, brilliant eye. I highly recommend it to all viewers interested in international, social, and/or human-rights issues.

I know the story of the Hungarian Revolution all too well. My parents were Freedom Fighters who were both imprisoned for their efforts. Torn From the Flag explains the historical events succinctly yet emotionally. The footage that was shot by the young Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond puts the viewer right into the middle of the brave fight. The score by Chris Horvath propels the emotions of the story. This is a film that should be seen by not only those of Hungarian descent but anyone seeking to gain the knowledge of how a small nation was able to rise up against a much larger oppressor. The filmmakers should be very proud of their efforts.

For anyone who doubts the evil barbarity of communism they should see Torn from the Flag, an excellent documentary that begins with the defeat of Nazi Fascism, the initial euphoria of Soviet "liberation", followed by the brutal oppression of the Hungarian people which led to the primary focus of the film the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. The film uses "never- before-seen-in-the west" footage filmed during the 1956 revolution by award winning cinematographers Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond. From my knowledge and reading of history, the documentary is historically correct and the writers took great pains to interview a wide spectrum of diplomats, freedom fighters, Russian and Hungarian soldiers, members of the police and AVO. They weave the testimonies, the actual footage and archival material into an accurate portrayal of history. The documentary runs for 91 minutes and is scored with 80 minutes of music. I highly recommend it to all.

The "Torn from the Flag" documentary film - by Klaudia Kovacs - of the 1956 revolution in Hungary stands out by its absolute credibility and how it captivates the interest from the beginning to the end. As a true documentary, even though it presents facts by showing original footings of film reports and makes surviving participants speak - it does not draw conclusions. The viewer does that so much stronger. And the unavoidable conclusion is that communism is not the paradise for the working class, but the hell; that the soviet domination gained no friends, only enemies and some collaborators who tried to get out; that nobody was fighting for the system: there are no elements of a civil war in that uprising, it was only Hungarians against the soviet military; that the young generation raised by communist indoctrination turned out to be the most ferocious enemy of the system and became the backbone of the revolution. The demand was not for material gains but for freedom and democracy, not as a result of any outside influence but out of healthy, human instinct, the awakening of the soul. We also saw that the revolution was not planned, prepared and organized, it was completely spontaneous, actually unexpected and surprising at that time. Because it would have been badly timed, coinciding with the American presidential elections and the Suez Canal crisis. The West did not aid it, to the contrary: it was abandoned. I was lucky to see this film at its premiere as part of the AFI Fest. Everybody else should see it. The Hungarian 1956 event was the beginning of the collapse of the world communism and a proof that no system, based on lies, can survive too long.

This film lends perspective to anyone who is too young to know about the events that led to the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe at the end of WWII. Klaudia Kovacs has combined actual footage of the days of revolution (amazing that it was taken) that is really extraordinary. People tell their own stories about a cause that most of us don't know about and make you wonder if you would have half the courage that the Hungarians had to face a military machine. This movie is so well done. Courage, honor and politics collide in a wonderful film. Bring tissue. Stories of sacrifice, torture and loss are real, but you leave this film with gratitude for freedom and inspiration, too.