The Current Discussion: The mood at the World Economic Forum in Davos this year was decidedly gloomy, which seems a fair reflection of economic conditions. Let's look forward: tell us what the bright spots might be in the world economy this time next year.

"Gloomy" sounds better than "dark" or "hopeless." In my opinion, the world economy, even if it is in chaotic condition, is still functioning; the problem is that the world morality is extinct. In that sense, we have a chicken-and-egg dilemma: banks and financial institutions do not trust people; people do not trust them, either. Government does not trust people; people do not trust government, either. Certain countries do not trust other countries; naturally, those countries stop trusting them back. People don't trust other people... you get the idea.

Re-creating that kind of trust, even on a small scale, would be a bright spot indeed. Then, people having problems with their monthly payments would go to the banks and related offices first. I think any banker and clerk would appreciate such a gesture. Someone who cannot pay now but is ready to do everything to set himself aright is a better client and citizen than those who simply do not care.

All in all, confidence is a more precious currency than the Euro, dollar, or yen. It has a much higher value than gold or platinum. The best possible news would be that we can produce this "currency" by improving our personal and societal character. People of the world, why don't we give it a try? What do we have to lose?

The Current Discussion: The Academy Awards are coming, and an Indian movie, "Slumdog Millionaire," could win best picture. But what are we overlooking? What's the best non-Hollywood movie you saw this year?

Ladies and gentlemen. I am probably not the only East European intellectual who distrusts all Hollywood products, even those with (at least some) talent and ambition. Sorry -- Scorsese, Altman, Spielberg, Lucas, Mendes, Stone and others that fall into this category. I am all for the small budget Romanian-, Bulgarian- and Latvian-type films. Last but not least, I am especially all for the Hungarian movies. There was a time when Hollywood was over-flooded by Hungarian filmmakers, from Adolph Zukor to Béla Lugosi. You can thank us even for "Casablanca." But unfortunately, Americans haven't been spoiling the Hungarian film industry lately. The only Oscar for a real Hungarian film went to "Mephisto," directed by István Szabó -- and even back in 1982, Americans didn't care with the accents in his name and few ever learned its correct pronunciation (Saabow).

There is a new film by a young Hungarian director Áron Mátyássy (Maati-aash-y), entitled "Utolsó idők" (Last Times). It is absolutely smashing. It is too new to compete in this year's Oscars, and I bet it won't be nominated next year's either. Well, what can I say? When it is released on DVD, search the stores for it. The Academy's system is over-Americanized and overrated. This is simply the official opinion of the Un-Hollywood Activity House Committee. The house in question is mine, and the members of the committee so far are three friends of mine. Anyone who proves that he/she has seen five East European films lately can join us. Feel free to contact the committee through me.