Hollywood on the Danube

Setting is an essential tool for movies to work their magic – and economic hard times require directors to innovate, finding inexpensive locales to stand in for high-cost cities already overrun with tourists. Besides having its own long tradition in producing filmmakers, Budapest offers low-cost, non-union crews and European allure, reports Dan Bilefsky for the New York Times. So the city, with its elegant period architecture, stars as Paris, Munich, Rome and Buenos Aires in some recent films. One downside is Budapest’s homogenous population, and modern films with diverse casting must import actors; scarce African extra can earn twice the rate of Caucasians. Rebates require teaming up with registered Hungarian production firms, which can build local expertise but also dilute Hungary’s own film culture. Still, Bilefsky notes, a vibrant film industry adds publicity, tourism and cachet for any city. – YaleGlobal