Marcell Jankovics

Marcell Jankovics is an emblematic figure in Hungarian animated cinematography. His works became a defining part of Hungarian culture.

In addition to filmmaking, he has accomplished outstanding achievements in several other fields: he is a cultural historian, author of cultural history books, an illustrator, and a number of works in the field of television programming. He was also significant as a book illustrator, teacher and cultural politician.

His father was Marcell Jankovics (1906-1970), a bank clerk, his mother was Margit Bartha (1906-1981?), And his grandfather was Marcell Jankovich (1874-1949) a writer a politician and lawyer. His sister is Eszter Jankovics (1934). His wife, Éva Rubovszky (1945) is a Finno-Ugrist.

His father was arrested in 1950 with fabricated charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released in '56; after the defeat of the revolution, he was able to remain free under supervision.

Meanwhile, his family was evicted in 1951, from which they could only return in 1953. The child Marcell attended the Benedictine Grammar School in Pannonhalma from 1955, where he also graduated. His work called Fighters won the Golden Palm Award for Best Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977.

From 1981 he also taught animation at the College of Applied Arts. In 1994 he became a member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts. Two years later he was appointed managing director of Pannóniafilm Kft. . In the same year, he ran for the position of president of Danube Television, unsuccessfully. The following year he became a university professor with a DLA academic degree at the Hungarian University of Applied Arts.

He was originally wanted to be an architect but he couldn't do that because his family was declared as class enemy by the communist government. However, through his works, his "architect-self" was manifested by his astonishing thoroughness and precision.

From 1998 to 2002, then from 1 August 2010 to 15 October 2011, he was the chairman of the National Cultural Fund Committee, and from 1998 he was the chairman of the Hungarian Cultural Society.

He did a lot of studying symbols and myths. He has also published several books on the subject. These symbols appear on the frames of all his cartoons. He preferred the traditional cartoon artstyle all his works made by his own hand.

Holistic thinking, created in the spirit of the "create while preserving" principle: self-regulation, the need to follow one's own path and respect for tradition go well together, complement and reinforce each other.

"Culture of the present is in crisis, as is the economy, the politics of the migrant issue and the nature of the global warning. I deal so much with the past in my books things that aren't part of todays culture because we need continuity. I am looking for the future where the virtues of the past can be meaninfully used"

Marcell Jankovics (2016)

Some of his most famous works:

The Tragedy of Man based on Imre Madács's famous work

János Vitéz based on the famous narrative poem from Sándor Petőfi

The song of the Miraculous Hind: Tells the story of the ancient Hungarians based on the myth of Miraculous Deer other ancient Hungarian myths and historical records. From the Ural homeland to the founding of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Toldi

Written by János Arany based on legends in his native village. Miklós Toldi was a Hungarian nobleman from Bihar County of the Kingdom of Hungary, who is remembered as a legendary strong hero in Hungarian folklore.

The Son of the white mare

Based on Hungarian folk myth, a horse goddess gives birth to three powerful brothers who set out into the Underworld to save three princesses from three evil dragons and reclaim their ancestors' lost kingdom.

Hungarian Folktales series with more than 100 episode.

Marcell Jankovics died in May 2021, but his works become a decisive part of Hungarian culture forever.