Hungarian tax authority launches probe into state funding of Rákay's Petőfi film

On September 24 the Nemzeti Adó- és Vámhivatal announced a criminal investigation for alleged budget fraud linked to the financing of the movie Most vagy soha!. The picture, which dramatizes events from the 1848 era with fictional additions, was produced by Rákay Philip and Szente Vajk and directed by Balázs Lóth. It benefitted from ordinary state support as well as an extra grant issued by a government decree, prompting scrutiny from historians, film journalists and prominent political figures.

After its theatrical run, the film was broadcast on TV2 and a large set built for it was later leased to a Disney series and a musical production. Rákay explained that the government saw an investment opportunity and tied the funding to the Petőfi anniversary, but plans for a follow-up Mohács-battle film were abandoned after a change of administration.