Nice to see you,
Please come in!
I'd like to invite you on a journey... After many inner and outer adventures, I now feel a calling to share them with you. It's all about children, spirituality, martial arts, films, and books - that sometimes are written alone, and at times together with my daughters.
3 curiosities
Martial Arts
I was five, when we fell in love with each other - the martial arts and I. It's an everlasting love.
In 2004, I won two Tai Chi World Championships. It might sound a big thing, but still, realistically, medals only prove that one is able to practice for many hours a day. To me, martial arts are much more than that - so I moved to China in January 2005, to get immersed in the very depths of this ancient culture.
At time, my latest and so far the most dangerous adventure started. Since then, I have said several times, "sorry, it's not what I signed up for, can I get out, please" ... but of course, it's impossible.
Never mind - as they say, these sorts of adventures are the best kind...
Books
A publisher friend of mine convinced me to write a novel.
Since it's going to get published only in Hungarian for now, I don't really feel like going into details. Hopefully one day it will get translated :)
Films
As a filmmaker, I have received several awards from around the world.
One of my coolest experiences was in 2008, when I was one of the winners of a worldwide competition organized by bestselling writer Paulo Coelho. Coelho's team assembled the film version of his highly successful book "The Witch of Portobello" out of nine young directors' short films.
We were walking the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival with Paulo, and the other directors. (We were following George Clooney – it’s a pity that he was in a completely different production), and we received the Special Awards together. Throughout the entire time, I held my baby on my chest in her carrier - that might have been the first time that red carpet has seen such a thing...!
CV in PICTURES
* Poetry recitals, TV shows, singing, movies on both sides of the camera... 8O poetry recital competitions, 79 gold medals. The last one was a contest between Christian schools. I earned the disapproval of an elderly juror, by dancing carelessly in the middle of the hall. I only got a bronze, but I got richer with a good story. The picture is from "Nemzeti Audiovizuális Archívum": we are making Hungarian teenagers life more colourful with Tibor Dévényi, legendary show host from the 80's.
* In 2004, after mere 4 months of Tai Chi training, I won the World Kung Fu Championship in Perugia, Italy, in the Chen Tai Chi category. The same year, I got the Gold Medal at the Kung Fu World Cup in Hungary. However, I felt that competitions are not compatible with the true spirit of Tai Chi. Instead of competing, I moved to China to live and to study from the greatest masters they have there.
* I am proud to say that I learned so much about the ancient Chinese arts from the great Masters of the Shaolin Temple. I met the warrior monk on the picture during my first trip to Dengfeng: with my Hungarian pals we learned Xing Yi from him. I hold deep within my heart "Master Big Beard", Grandmaster Shi DeYang, and last but not least Duan Shifu, who introduced me to the Yang and Chen style Tai Chi. The wonderful photo was taken by György Szy.
* As I felt very much attracted to the Taoist philosophy, my wildest dream came true when I got accepted into one of the Taoist temples of China, where I lived as a priestess.
* Paulo Coelho's highly acclaimed production "The Experimental Witch" is the film version of his bestseller book "The Witch of Portobello". The movie was edited from nine short films that were chosen from 6OOO+ entries. In our winning short "Vosho Bushalo" the talented New Zealand actress, Kate Sullivan played the main role, alongside my father - I'm very proud of them! The score was composed by Palya Bea - the "Mother Song" touchingly underlined the dramatic self-search of the orphan girl.
* At the 2OO9 Rome Film Festival we received the Special Awards together. On the picture, Paulo, the directors and actors, and the youngest visitor to the festival: my daughter Diana, in her carrier, half-asleep.
* A short film that was shortlisted in the `I Shot Hong Kong` Film Festival - a story about the realm between dream and reality. Howard McCrary, Grammy nominated composer, played the role of the Sage. Our other stars, on the picture, were Kate Sullivan and Michael Chan.
* On the `I Shot Hong Kong` film festival with the creators of the `Dream of the Butterfly`. From left to right: Michael Chan (Lee), Paul Mackintosh (Producer), Lilla Ban (Director), Kate Sullivan (Anna), Howard McCrary (Sage). Photo by Elden Cheung.
* The Hong Kong based Lilla UnLimited created countless videos, with profound artistic quality, for companies and private individuals. On the picture: a scene from the trailer of the award winning book `The Dervish House` by Ian McDonald. In the role of the legendary `mellified man`: Miklós Bán.
click on the images to enlarge them
Present
With my two beautiful daughters we now live in Hungary. Even though everything keeps changing, the wonders and adventures not only stay with us, but we have three times as many as before. 'It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.' - said Alice.
The kids feel comfy in the midst of changes,
and Mom does everything she can to remain a child herself.
Now I am co-writing the stories with Diana and Esther, that you will soon be able to read in print.