Meet Kata Varga
11/12/2024
Is the world ending? No problem: write a script like Kata Varga!
by Kraken Film Magazine
Back in 2012, when the world was supposedly ending - and everyone else was stockpiling canned beans for the apocalypse - one writer wasn’t worried about the Mayan calendar; she was busy dreaming up a scene that sounded like Twilight crashed into Braveheart. “So, I had this crazy dream,” she laughed. “Werewolves, vampires, and Colin Farrell.”
Can you hear us, Colin?
But that wasn’t just some midnight snack-fueled fever dream, it was the genesis of Irish Moon. When the writer woke up, she immediately felt the need to get it all down on paper. “I write for the fun of it” she says. “I never sit down writing with the idea of ’this is gonna be a hit’. I do what I do because I know no other way”.
WELCOME: KATA VARGA
Kata Varga is a Hungarian script-writer and filmmaker, who worked at Hungarian TV channel ECHO TV and completed a OPAKFI (Scientific Society for Optics, Acoustics, Motion Picture and Theatre Technology) course study.
She loves starting her stories with bold, public scenes where characters really engage with one another. The script kicks off with a bold moment: a character is proposing to a girl into a traditional Irish bar. It all seems pretty normal, until you start to understand that strange things are happening in this little Irish town...
THE STORY
But what is exactly, Irish Moon?
When asked what the script is about, Kata Varga’s enthusiasm bubbles over like a pint of Guinness:
“Imagine a fair portrait of Éire and its people, mixed with an open diary and a fresh angle on supernatural creatures. My script introduces you to the heart and soul of this desired world. ”
Irish Moon is a story that talks about werewolves living in Ireland. The story dives into “pack life” and the high-stakes battle for souls—because nothing says epic like some supernatural soul-snatching.
“Sure, it's dark fantasy,” Kata admits, “but there’s so much goodness in these werewolves! They’re not just howling at the moon for fun” And then there’s Katie, the script’s fierce female heroine. “She’s non-apologetic from the start,” she emphasizes.
WHY IS THIS STORY DIFFERENT?
Unlike many tales where mortals are little more than snackable scenery, Irish Moon gives the people of this small Irish town—a starring role. “The Irish people don’t just hang around looking scared or swooning over the supernatural. They’re a shield of love” she explains.
A HUNGARIAN DANCE
Irish Moon is an English-written script, but Kata’s actually a writer from Hungary. Why did she write her story in English? “I have never known an easy life", she answered.
With a life marked by financial struggles, she found the need to navigate various jobs and situations. “I’ve tried different countries and made friends from all walks of life,” she explains.
“Hungarians are raised to be proud, so it took me some time and pain to swallow that pride, and understand the pure meaning of being a soul instead, to simplify my daily life as much as I could. Don’t worry, I had my ’golden child’ moments too, but I’m wiser today. To summarize it: I’m both a Spartan and a monk. I can kick your ass, or I can lead you to a better version of yourself, your call.”
4 JUICY QUESTIONS:
Q: With which character from your script would you spend a day with? Why, and what would you do with them? Let’s get some juice!”
“Nobody ever really understood me, not even my family” she admits. “I was kinda hoping I was adopted for years – then struck by lightning a thought hit me – I can find comfort in my characters. Let’s say that a day with Lochlan would most definitely be the wildest, yet feel perfectly natural for me”.
Q. You’ve mentioned how networking has played a big role in your career development. How important do you think building relationships with other filmmakers is, especially in a competitive industry?
“Getting feedback is crucial – I’ve learnt that in the pandemic years. The warmth of solitude has helped me to create, yet without my genuine and smart artist pals I wouldn’t be able to properly polish my scripts [better to quote the King: ’kill your darlings’]. My sweet friends and cousins also read my scripts, and without their support I wouldn’t grow this fast as a screenwriter. Have to mention those who wrote me a little professional analysis for no extra charge: Barnstorm and Slamdance.”
Q: If you could cast anyone—alive or from the past—for the lead roles in Irish Moon, who would you choose and why?
When it comes to casting Irish Moon, the writer has a clear vision. “Colin Farrell has to play Colin—no arguments there!” she asserts, feeling a deep sense of loyalty to the actor.
Brandon Lee too “I miss the most”, she says, in conclusion.
Q: We’ve known you before since you won the best short script at the Winter competition of the Kraken Film Festival, how would you describe achieving that award? You are now a candidate for the final, annual awards!
Your ’Gold Award’ for my comedy short script baby ’Virgin Mojito’ was an elevating moment, and it gave a good lift to my soul. I like those film festivals and screenplay competitions where the artist, the writer, is not just a number. I’m honored to participate at the Kraken Film Festival again. You know, the writers life is like an open diary, because you tell what you care about. Personally, I can’t write without fire burning inside my soul. I have to let those flames out and you, my peers at the KFF, you get that!
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