# Hungarian investigation into film subsidies

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-investigation-into-film-subsidies
> Updated: 2026-10-08T12:21:54.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

The Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) has launched an investigation into suspected budgetary fraud concerning state subsidies for the film ‘Most vagy soha!’. The production, which depicts the 1848 revolution, is one of the most expensive in Hungarian film history with a reported budget of approximately 7.022 billion HUF.

Producer and screenwriter Philip Rákay has denied any personal responsibility or involvement in financial decision-making, stating his role was limited to creative production and co-writing. Rákay expressed indignation over the investigation, describing the situation in a radio interview as a ‘government political circus reminiscent of the darkest dictatorships’ and indicated his intention to pursue legal action against media allegations. He further clarified that he holds no ownership or leadership position in the project company and noted that neither he nor his colleagues have been contacted by the NAV.

Adding to the controversy, actor and director Attila Árpa has publicly criticized the film’s massive budget. Árpa remarked that the funding for this single production could have financed at least ten of his own ‘Argo’ films.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-08: Attila Árpa criticizes massive budget of ‘Most vagy soha!’ film

Attila Árpa criticized the 7 billion HUF budget of the film ‘Most vagy soha!’ following a state investigation into suspected subsidy fraud involving producer Philip Rákay.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/attila-rpa-criticizes-massive-budget-of-most-vagy-soha-film

### 2026-10-01: Philip Rákay denies budget fraud allegations in film investigation

Producer Philip Rákay has denied allegations of budget fraud following a NAV investigation into the 7.022 billion HUF film ‘Most vagy soha!’, calling the accusations a political circus.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philip-rkay-denies-budget-fraud-allegations-in-film-investigation

### 2026-09-29: Hungarian tax authority investigates ‘Most vagy soha!’ film subsidies

Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration is investigating suspected budgetary fraud regarding state subsidies for the high-budget historical film ‘Most vagy soha!’.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-tax-authority-investigates-most-vagy-soha-film-subsidies

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Cite as: Hungarian investigation into film subsidies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-investigation-into-film-subsidies