Crime scene: Budapest. Locality through the Homes of the Golden Life Crime Series Cover Image

A tett helyszíne: Budapest. Lokális színezet az Aranyélet bűnügyi tévésorozatának otthonain keresztül
Crime scene: Budapest. Locality through the Homes of the Golden Life Crime Series

Author(s): Dorottya Molnár-Kovács, Péter Mészáros
Subject(s): Media studies
Published by: Korunk Baráti Társaság
Keywords: Budapest; Golden Life; TV series; crime fiction; Hungarian society

Summary/Abstract: HBO Hungary’s original series, Aranyélet’s location strategies are unique amongst Eastern-European TV shows as it does not feel the need to represen locality by swamping the viewer with iconic tourist destinations of the capital. Instead, the characteristic ‘Hungarianness’ of the show appears through displaying personal living spaces of people from a wide range of sociocultural backgrounds, all of which represent the typical Hungarian strata. In our paper, we have used a simplified categorization of social classes apparent in Hungarian society and connected these groups with characters of Aranyélet. Then, we have scrutinized the living spaces of these characters as represented in the show paying special attention to their likely location, furnishing, building materials and general condition. By this analysis, we aim to prove that the show tries to create a social mental map of Budapest and its population, covering all strata of society with painting a picture of their lifestyle and living conditions.

  • Issue Year: 2021
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 103-110
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Hungarian