On Thursday, November 2, Freedom's Fury will be screened at Columbia University's Harriman Institute as part of a two-day conference on "1956 and Its Impact on the Soviet Bloc."
Created by Colin Keith Gray and his sister, Megan Raney Aarons, Freedom's Fury tells the story of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 through the lens of the epic Olympic water polo showdown between Russia and Hungary. The match, which took place less than a month after the Soviets crushed the rebellion in Budapest, is remembered as the bloodiest event in Olympic history. Olympic gold medalist Mark Spitz narrates the film, which features remarkable footage of the thirteen surviving members of the Soviet and Hungarian water polo teams. Five years in the making, the film was jointly produced by Lucy Liu, Andrew Vajna, and Quentin Tarantino.
Since its world premiere last April at New York's Tribeca Film Festival, Freedom's Fury has played to packed houses and rave reviews around the world. Of particular note was its Hungarian premiere, when a sold-out audience was so moved by the film that it erupted into a standing ovation as the credits rolled. Ten minutes later, the crowd was still on its feet. Critics have been similarly unreserved in their appreciation: Cosmopolitan has called Freedom's Fury "a stunning, mandatory, must see film"; Elle says it is "truly enthralling" and notes that it "should be required viewing"; Radio Free Europe pronounces Freedom's Fury to be a "fabulous film"; and London's Guardian says it is "gripping." But Freedom's Fury is more than mere entertainment: As the Columbia conference indicates, the film is also quickly proving itself to be an indispensable and unforgettable historical document, one that is important to scholars and the general public alike.
On October 9, Freedom's Fury made its UK premiere, playing to a sold-out house at London's Barbican. The film is currently making Oscar-qualifying runs in theaters across the United States.
More information about reviews and screenings can be found at www.freedomsfury.com.