We caught up with the brilliant and insightful József Gallai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
József, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Even as a kid I was a film buff, we had a lot of VHS tapes at home, but I first started thinking about making films and taking steps towards it around when I was 20.
2015 was a turning point, since then there has been practically no stopping.
József, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am 36, I live in Hungary and have made eleven feature films so far, nine of them in English, mostly horror and mystery thrillers, and have had the opportunity to work with stars such as Eric Roberts, Sally Kirkland, Larry Hankin, Tom Sizemoreral, Bill Oberst Jr, Simon Bamford, Robert LaSardo and James Duval.
In December, I finished filming my latest horror film A Stranger in the Woods, with the legendary Bill Oberst Jr. and Lynn Lowry, which is about to start its festival season. It’s basically a one-location film, which I hadn’t done much of before, so I was really pleased to have the opportunity to try this one out.
This year is about filming my next picture The Black-Eyed Children, an eerie horror/mystery film , which I think could easily decide whether I still have a place in this industry.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the opportunity to create has always been the most important aspect. It’s a great feeling and a really meaningful journey when you can create worlds, characters and shape the relationships between them. It’s possible to tell stories that real life might not give you the opportunity to do and to involve others, to share those perspectives and feelings with them. I think it is a very great treasure.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be recognised, but above all, I want what I say and how I say it to matter. Make no mistake, I do not intend to change the world, I may have had such ambitions when I was younger, but they have changed considerably to be honest. However, I do strive to have a voice in the film community and in the film industry itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4179869
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gallai365/
- Other: A Stranger in the Woods Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astrangerinthewoods A Stranger in the Woods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrangerinthewoods/
Image Credits
Behind the scenes credits: Gergő Elekes, András Babodi, Bálint Szántó, Alexa Tringli