Over the next weeks in 12 cities across the UK and Canada the most intriguing recent Polish productions will be presented. This time, fans of the Polish cinema will have the opportunity to see “Strange Heaven” by Dariusz Gajewski telling the story of Polish couple, that in dramatic circumstances is deprived of their child. A moving picture of unequal struggle of parents with the authorities will be paired with a Q&A after the screening in Edinburgh. Next, the audience will have a chance to see thrillers: “Demon” directed by Marcin Wrona and “The Red Spider” by Marcin Koszałka. “Blindness” by Ryszard Bugajski, will bring an interesting attempt to settle with the communist past. Finally, something about the friend of a friend whom we all know – “Kamper” by Łukasz Grzegorzek will tell the bittersweet narrative of today’s 30-year-olds. As the creators of the festival for many years, we are trying to promote new films not forgetting about the traditions of domestic cinematography. Therefore, Play Poland Film Festival will actively participate in the celebration by opening the 6th edition of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Year with a screening of “Blind Chance” in Edinburgh.
All these events will be accompanied by more than 50 short films presented in collaboration with leading Polish festivals, studios and film schools. Apart from all mentioned abover, series of special events will be held. In Edinburgh: a unique exhibition of works by renowned Polish poster designer – Waldemar Świerzy, film workshops, screening of the silent film “Strong Man” with live music, followed by the PPFF Afterparty. Polish Art Europe is also meeting the needs of older audiences, by organizing screenings in cooperation with a group of Active50+ and Health in Mind. Attention is given to the audience in Glasgow: on the 26th of October at The Old Hairdressers there will be a screening of Lodz Film School short films with the special guest – a graduate of the school and director of one of the films shown, Urszula Jurzyna. On the top of all the events, from the 23rd of October the audience in Glasgow will have the opportunity to visit the exhibition of works by the representatives of Polish School of Poster. This event opens with Sunday’s event. Traditionally, screenings of animations for children in Polish schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Motherwell and Livingston (November 5) will take place. And finally, in London the audience will have a chance to participate in folk artist Ede Kay’s acoustic concert, Andrzej Pągowski’s posters exhibition and a closing event presenting the gems of Easter European disco, funk and jazz.
You are invited for more than 40 cultural events and film screenings by the organiser of the 6th edition of Play Poland Film Festival, Polish Art Europe with co-organisers: Polish Film Institute, Association “Polish Community” and the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh.
Play Poland Film Festival is back with the selection of six exciting feature films:
BLIND CHANCE (PRZYPADEK)
dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski | 1981, premiere 1987 | Drama | 120’ | Poland
Certificate (or suggested certificate) – 15, English Subtitles
Cast: Bogusław Linda (Witek Długosz), Tadeusz Łomnicki (Werner), Zbigniew Zapasiewicz (Adam), Bogusława Pawelec (Czuszka Olkowska), Marzena Trybała (Werka)
Play Poland Film Festival 2016 Opening Film at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh
Poland, in the politically turbulent late 1970s: Witek is running to catch a train. From this trivial event, Krzysztof Kieślowski imagines three different possible outcomes in the young man’s life. In the first scenario, Witek catches the train on which he meets some hard line communists and joins the party. In the second, as Witek runs for the train, his path is blocked by a ticket inspector; the ensuing struggle leads to his arrest and subsequent involvement in the political underground. In the final scenario, Witek misses the train and he returns to the medical studies that he intended to abandon. He falls in love with a fellow student, gets married and lives a quiet life as a doctor, showing little interest in politics.
Edinburgh 20.10.2016 5:50pm, Filmhouse
Aberdeen 14.11.2016, 5:50pm, Belmont Fimhouse
BLINDNESS (ZAĆMA)
dir. Ryszard Bugajski | 2016 | Drama | 110’ | Poland
Certificate (or suggested certificate) – 15, English Subtitles
Cast: Maria Mamona (Julia Brystygierowa), Malgorzata Zajaczkowska (siostra Benedykta), Janusz Gajos (ksiądz Cieciorka), Marek Kalita (kardynał Stefan Wyszyński)
The film shows an obscure episode from the life of a Stalinist criminal – Colonel of the Office of Public Security, Julia Brystiger. Her nickname was “Bloody Luna” because during interrogations she tortured prisoners with extreme cruelty. At the beginning of 1960s she appeared in Laski near Warsaw, in the Institute for the Blind, where the Primate of Poland, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, was also a frequent visitor. His imprisonment in the years 1953-1956 was supervised by none other than Julia Brystiger herself. During the difficult and tempestuous conversation with the Primate, Julia Brystiger rejects the communist ideology, asks for her crimes to be forgiven and for help in finding God…
Edinburgh 10.11.2016, 6:00pm, Edinburgh Filmhouse
London 18.11.2016, 7:00pm, Picturehouse Central
DEMON
dir. Marcin Wrona | 2015 | Horror, Thriller, Drama | 94’ | Poland/ Israel
Certificate (or suggested certificate) – 15, English Subtitles
Cast: Itay Tiran, Tomasz Schuchardt, Andrzej Grabowski, Adam Woronowicz, Włodzimierz Press, Tomasz Ziętek, Katarzyna Gniewkowska, Agnieszka Żulewska
A young man is a stranger visiting the hometown of his future wife. As a wedding gift from the bride’s grandfather, he receives a piece of land where the two can build a house and raise a happy family. While preparing the land to build the house, he finds the bones of human bodies in the ground beneath his new property. Strange things begin to happen to change this happy couple’s life forever.
Edinburgh 08.11.2016, 8:50pm, Filmhouse
Aberdeen 31.10.2016, 6:05pm, Belmont Filmhouse
London 24.11.2016, 6:45pm, Hackney Picturehouse
KAMPER
dir. Łukasz Grzegorzek | 2016 | 89’ | Drama | Poland
Certificate (or suggested certificate) – 15
English Subtitles
Cast: Piotr Żurawski, Marta Nieradkiewicz, Jacek Braciak, Sheily Jimenez, Justyna Suwała, Bartek Świderski
It seems just OK. Your car is nice and your wife even nicer, and you test video games for a living. Then something hits you right between the eyes. You stand up, ready to fight. But fight whom really? Your wife? Her celebrity chef lover? Or your very own life made of innocent lies, tiny delusions and jokes that have ceased to be funny? Pull yourself together, Kamper.
Edinburgh 27.10.2016, 5:55pm, Filmhouse
More information on: Play Poland Film Festival | FB
Poster © Waldemar Świerzy and Andrzej Pąkowski