Freedom's Fury

The Throws of Revolution


Hungarian Ervin Zador after being sucker punched by Russian Valentin Prokopov at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics

This past Friday evening, my Mom and I attended the premiere screening of Freedom's Fury in Washington, DC. The event, sponsored by the Hungarian Embassy, show-cased this documentary about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and the "bloodiest battle" that ever took place at the Olympics; the Hungary vs. U.S.S.R. water polo show-down in Melbourne, Australia that occurred at the same time.

Produced by Lucy Liu (who was in attendance at the screening), Quentin Tarantino and Andy Vajna, the film details the student-led revolution against Soviet occupation that began on October 23rd, 1956, was successful by October 30th (when Russian tanks began to pull out of Budapest), and despite 5 days of democracy, was brutally crushed when Khrushchev sent 200 tanks back into Hungary-- the same amount of tanks that Hitler used to throw the entire British Armed Forces out of Europe during World War II.

Ironically, at the same time the Revolution was occurring, the World's top water polo team, Hungary, would battle it out in the pool with the U.S.S.R. at the Melbourne Olympics. After Hungarian blood was literally spilled in the water, the Hungarians beat the Russians 4 to 0 and went on to win the Gold Medal. The match became a symbol of the Revolution and of Hungary's fight for its freedom at any cost.

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution was the first time any people under Soviet rule had challenged communist occupation. Ultimately, the Revolution became the first tear in the Iron Curtain that would lead to its demise in 1989.

As a result of the Revolution, 200,000 Hungarians defected-- 13 of them were my Grandparents, my Mother and her siblings and my Great Aunt Eva and her family. They had to leave or both my Grandfather and my Great Aunt would have either been executed or sent to Russian labor camps for denouncing the Soviets and founding democratic political parties in Budapest during those 5 days of freedom.

It's hard to accept the idea that I owe my existence to Nikita Khrushchev. If it weren't for the Revolution and for the bloody re-taking of Budapest by the U.S.S.R., my Mother would never have become an American, my parents would never have met, and I and my sister would never have been born. It blows my mind but, a lot of good things resulted from the Soviets crushing the Hungarian fight for freedom (despite the devastation).

The documentary is a fantastic portrait of two events that many people don't know that much about. Plus, my Great Aunt Eva, a well-known Hungarian actress, does some voice-overs in the film. I urge everyone to see it once it is available in your area given its historical accuracy, universal theme and impassioned story-telling.

Feliz Cumpleanos, Javi!

Feliz Cumpleanos, J. Carlos!

Look What I Found At My Local Supermarket!

"ANZAC Oatmeal Cookies: Supporting America's Veterans"

That's right! Australian-made ANZAC bikkies are being sold in the States to support American veterans. The statement reads:

Australian and American soldiers have been serving side-by-side since China in 1900. New Zealanders joined the Australians in World War I to form the famed Australian-New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Together with the Americans, they fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq. As with all armies, home front support was vital. To support the troops overseas, women of these two countries baked what became known as the ANZAC cookie. This treat was a great boost to morale. In a similar spirit, Australian-based UNIBIC and VFW have joined forces to present this product which provides direct support to America's veterans.

Unfortunately, Arnott's bikkies didn't fly over here in the States 'cause most of us thought they were bird treats (thanks to the parrot on the label). There's something to be said for us being dumb-asses. We missed out on those out-of-this-world Tim Tams!

Feliz Cumpleanos, Paula!