The 25th Anniversary Polish Film Festival in America starts today in Chicago. Over seventy feature, documentary and animated films made by Polish filmmakers will be presented, most of them with English subtitles, including: “1939. The Secret of Westerplatte” by Paweł Chochlew, “Aftermath” by Władysław Pasikowski, “Baby blues” by Katarzyna Rosłaniec, “Floating Skyscrapers” by Tomasz Wasilewski, “Imagine” by Andrzej Jakimowski, “In Hiding” by Jan Kidawa-Błoński, “In the Name of…” by Małgośka Szumowska, “Life Feels Good” by Maciej Pieprzyca, “Loving” by Sławomir Fabicki, “Papusza” by Joanna and Krzysztof Krauze, “Siberian Exile” by Janusz Zaorski, “The Girl From a Wardrobe” by Bodo Kox and “Burning Bush – part 1, 2,3” by Agnieszka Holland.
All screenings will be held in three cinemas: Muvico Rosemont 18 (9701 Bryn Mawr Ave.), Facets Cinematheque (1517 W. Fullerton Ave.) and Gallery Theatre (1112 N. Milwaukee Ave.).
The 25th Anniversary Polish Film Festival in America will begin today with two movies by young Polish filmmakers, presented with directors in attendance – “My name is Asia”, a short feature directed by Balbinka Korzeniowska, presently student of directing at UCLA, and the much-awaited documentary feature “The Fourth Partition” by Adrian Prawica who also produced the movie together with Rafal Muskala. At 9.00 p.m. director Ryszard Bugajski and actress Maria Mamona will introduce their already acclaimed thriller “The Closed Circuit” based on a true story. Bugajski, one of the most outstanding contemporary Polish film directors, is the author of a masterpiece “Interrogation” (1982) which was shelved for years by the Communist government in Poland. All filmmakers will answer questions following the screenings of their movies.
The official Opening Night Gala of the 25th PFFA will take place on Saturday, November 9th. A screening of new film by the Oscar-winning director Andrzej Wajda, master of the world cinema, “Walesa. Man of Hope”, a Polish entry to the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, will follow a special mini-concert of Alizma, a sensational violin band of triplet sisters.
A screening of Polish silent film masterpiece “Pan Tadeusz” directed by Ryszard Ordynski with live music by Marcin Pukaluk, to be performed by the composer himself, is one of special attractions of the 25th Polish Film Festival in America. The extraordinary event will take place on Sunday, November 17th at 3.00 p.m. in Muvico Rosemont 18 (9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago).
Throughout the Festival, audience members will vote for the most interesting feature and documentary film. The winners will receive the “Golden Teeth” Award.
The Closing Night Gala and Award Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 24th.
More detailed programme is available on: the 25th Polish Film Festival in America