| The long-awaited POLISH FILM FESTIVAL SYDNEY returns this May and June with a strong line-up of critically acclaimed films screening across two cinemas, Palace Norton Street and The Ritz Cinemas. The program brings two Australian premieres, six NSW premieres and a broad selection of work by a new generation of incredibly talented Polish filmmakers. Get ready for smart comedies, gripping dramas, awe-inspiring biographies, a timeless classic and a treat for the young audience.
Commencing on Sunday 22 May with multi-award winning Polish-Irish comedy drama I NEVER CRY (Jak najdalej stąd) from the director of 2018 sensation “Silent Night”, we will travel to Dublin to follow the story of a rebellious teenager unexpectedly presented with a quick adulting lesson. Capturing audiences at the San Sebastian Film Festival and many other festivals worldwide, the film also won over the audience in Western Australia by winning Audience Choice at the 7th Polish Film Festival in Perth. Starring the outstanding Zofia Stafiej, Piotr Domalewski’s second feature film is a testimony to director's aptitude and artistic sensitivity as well as a great eye for young talent.
"Piotr Domalewski's second feature is a powerful, thought-provoking film. It turns a traditional genre trope on its head whilst raising little-discussed issues that affect millions of people." — The Irish Independent
In an Australian premiere, the festival presents Poland’s submission to the 94th Academy Awards and winner of the Premio Bisato d’Oro critics’ award for best picture at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Based on the best-selling book, LEAVE NO TRACES (Żeby nie było śladów) is a poignant picture of injustices of the communist era in Poland, depicting true events that shook the nation in early 1980s.
"Matuszynski confirms himself as one of the most interesting directors of the new Polish cinema. Shot with a hand-held camera that is constantly attached to the characters, “Leave No Traces” is a strong indictment that brings to life with great realism a highly dramatic period." — Il Sole 24 Ore
Another highlight of the festival is the German-Polish co-production ADVENTURES OF A MATHEMATICIAN (Geniusze), which tells the unknown true story of Polish mathematician Stanislaw Ulam, who at the end of World War II joined the Manhattan Project to help create the H‐bomb and later the first computer. It’s an emotional journey through the times when science lost its innocence and shaped the world we live in today.
"A compelling look at the dawn of the nuclear age. Handsomely made. A film that touches on immigration as well as the dangers of nuclear weapons certainly sounds timely." — The Hollywood Reporter
Scena z filmu GENIUSZE |
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its premiere, PFFS brings to Sydney the cult heist classic and one of the best Polish comedies, VABANK. Set in the criminal underworld of 1930’s Warsaw, the directorial debut of Juliusz Machulski tells the story of charming bank robber Kwinto, who upon leaving prison decides to take sweet revenge on his former partner Kramer, and rob his well-protected bank while making it look like the culprit is Kramer himself.
"Humour, brilliantly constructed intrigue, exacting and tight directorial methods – in this film, everything came together perfectly, allowing the creation of a story both relevant and captivating to audiences from any country." — Culture.pl
Other highlights include:
WOLKA (Wolka), shot against the backdrop of the volcanic landscape of Westman Islands in Iceland, is a Polish-Icelandic crime drama by the late Icelandic director Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson, a graduate of the world-renowned Polish Film School in Łódź, with an exceptional performance by Olga Bołądź.
Two new comedies, BACK THEN, a box office hit and prequel to Kinga Dębska's critically acclaimed comedy drama “These Daughters of Mine” and BELOVED NEIGHBOURS (Biały Potok), the 2020 Polish Film Festival in Gdynia micro budget sensation, a comedy of errors about the vicissitudes of two married couples, starring Marcin Dorociński and Julia Wyszyńska.
THE BLACK MILL (Czarny Młyn), a delightful adaptation of the award-winning children’s novel by Marcin Szczygielski under the same title. The film had its world premiere at the 25th Schlingel International Film Festival in Germany, where it received the Youth Jury Award.
The POLISH FILM FESTIVAL SYDNEY is organised with the financial support of Screen NSW as well the Polish Film Institute and under the honorary patronage of the Consulate General of Republic of Poland in Sydney. The event is also supported by Australia Study (Principal Sponsor), Migration Law Firm and Perfect Contracting (Major Sponsors) and Business Tax and Money House (Leadership Sponsor), Benefit Legal and Karpinski & Co (Affiliate sponsors).
All films screen with English subtitles. Full program is available at
www.polishfilmfestival.org/sydney
To stay up to date with Polish FF news follow @PolishFillmFestivalSydney on Facebook and subscribe to our mailing list at https://www.polishfilmfestival.org/sydney-newsletter.
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