This September, the Hungarian film community will have a unique opportunity as we welcome back Atom Egoyan director, writer, and producer to Budapest for the first time in 20 years. During his visit, he will also join MOME Open, where he will hold an extraordinary masterclass on directing actors joined by Balázs Lengyel, showrunner of Hunyadi.
At the end of September, MOME Open will host none other than Atom Egoyan, acclaimed director, writer, and producer, who will give a masterclass on the practice of directing actors. Egoyan is the creator of such cult films as The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, Chloe, and most recently Seven Veils. His works are marked by recurring themes of emotional realism and the nuanced portrayal of human relationships. For this reason, his approach to directing actors offers valuable insights for both industry professionals and emerging filmmakers.
The masterclass, titled “Hidden Layers – Directing Actors in Atom Egoyan’s Practice,” will be a four-hour program focusing on trust and communication between director and actor. The course is open to film directing and acting students, practicing creators, and anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of what directing actors truly means.
The session begins with Egoyan sharing his personal career journey, will talk about his films, and his insights on the director-actor relationship. The majority of the program will explore the practical challenges of directing actors: how to start the collaboration, how to guide an actor who struggles to find the right emotional tone, and how to foster performances that feel instinctive and authentic. Egoyan will also discuss techniques for helping actors let go of control to create spontaneous moments, as well as strategies for working with actors who rely too heavily on technical precision. According to Egoyan, sometimes precise instructions are essential, but at other times, the best results come when actors are encouraged to find their own solutions. Special attention will also be given to building trust, handling intimate scenes, and overcoming the challenges posed by non-linear shooting schedules.
In the practical second half of the masterclass, participants will collectively reconstruct a scene from one of Egoyan’s earlier films, observing firsthand how he directs actors and shapes camera movement. The program concludes with a Q&A session, where attendees will have the chance to ask Egoyan questions directly. Topics will include the concept of authenticity, balancing intimacy and distance, setting boundaries in the director-actor relationship, and valuable advice for young creators.
The masterclass will also feature Balázs Lengyel, showrunner of Hunyadi, with whom MOME Open will launch a dedicated course for showrunners later this fall. Lengyel is a prominent figure in Hungarian film and television, best known for elevating Hungarian TV with HBO’s Golden Life. He also worked as a screenwriter on Kojot, Rift, and Three Thousand Numbered Pieces, and directed the cult film Lajkó – Gypsy in Space.
Our new showrunner program with Balázs Lengyel begins in November, more details about the course can be found here!
You can pre-register for the masterclass at this link.
