The voice that brought old Budapest to life. And in a way that only a truly special actress can. An interview with its narrator.
There are voices that do not simply tell a story — they open a door to another world. To a place where horse-drawn carriages once jingled over cobblestones, where citizens debated art in the baths, where market vendors’ voices filled the mornings, and where photographers froze moments in time — only for them to move again more than a hundred years later.
The 25 short films of Budapest Filmbox were created in Hungarian by Animatiqua from old photographs. But in order for these films to reach an even wider audience, they needed something more: a wonderful English voice, lent to them by the remarkable actress Rebecka Johnston. A voice that is at once gentle and precise, descriptive and dreamlike — and that tells each story as if it were a bedtime tale, because the director’s most important request was this: “Say it as if you were telling it to a little one at their bedside at home.” And she immediately found that voice.
The Budapest films produced by Animatiqua bring old photographs to life, with narration in Hungarian by the actress Hámori Gabriella adding color to the stories. But in the English-language edition, it is your voice that brings these films to life.
How did it feel to help bring Budapest’s golden age back to audiences?
It was such an honour! I moved to Budapest years ago and have seen the transformation of the city during the time I’ve been here. To be able to jump back in time and really step into these pictures and a piece of history was nothing but pure magic. I love the majestic bridges connecting Buda with Pest, and to hear more about their history would be wonderful. They’ve stood, fallen and been rebuilt through time, and they are incredible to look at and walk past.
What was it like to “walk through” old Budapest through narration? Was there a particular district or era that especially touched you?
It was like finding a magical keyhole through time. Every picture and animation, together with the music, made me discover a new part of the city I already know so well. I particularly enjoyed learning more about the City Park and how it was created. To see the people of Budapest, young and old, celebrating this new and vibrant part of the city was sensational.
The director of the films, András Kondacs, asked you to deliver the texts as if you were telling them to a child at bedtime. What was it like to take on this storyteller’s role?
I really enjoyed getting instructions and feedback on each story and trying to capture the essence of every photo and event. These are not just photos one after another — they were created as a journey. It was important for me that the listener would join me on this journey, and that each chapter would feel different.
Was there a previous role or personal experience that helped you find this intimate tone?
I will always remember when I first arrived in Budapest, getting to know every street corner of my new home. I walked and walked and walked, soaking up every part of the city and discovering new things every day. I wanted every chapter to feel like this — like discovering a new city.
The series speaks simultaneously to children, adults, and older viewers. How were you able to address such a wide audience?
I think the photos and the text do that for me. History is fascinating, and when pictures come alive, they draw you in — young or old. Everyone will find something new and interesting in each frame.
Among the 25 episodes, was there a story that became especially close to your heart?
I really enjoyed seeing the people come alive. The clothes, the faces — it felt like stepping into a world we no longer have access to. The City Park and the celebrations were among my favourites. The buildings and how quickly they were constructed really amazed me.
While recording the narration, what mattered most to you?
I wanted the narration to enrich the images, not distract from them. I aimed to match the atmosphere without becoming overly dramatic.
How were you able to bring the past so close to people today?
Budapest is a city that feels both modern and ancient. Its beauty is breathtaking, but it also carries the history of war and destruction. Each chapter draws us into the past. I hope my narration gently guides listeners through history as a voice of today walking through the past.
Why do you think so many people long to experience old Budapest again?
Budapest’s history is incredibly rich — you can feel it in every street and building. Seeing its greatest moments and tragedies helps us better understand the city and its people. Things we thought were lost forever are brought back in this work.
Your voice often feels as if you are present in the images. Did you feel that too?
Every chapter made me feel this. That’s the magic of it — it draws you in and lets you experience moments of real life from the past.
What place does Budapest hold in your life?
This is my home. I have many memories here that shaped who I am. No matter where life takes me, Budapest will always hold a big part of my heart.
