Polish movies are often underrated. It is said that era of good Polish films has gone past. Indeed, having a look at an average Polish comedy now ("7 rzeczy, których nie wiecie o facetch") and then ("Poszukiwany, poszukiwana") can drive you to conclusions like this. I know that there aren't many good Polish films now, but I think "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence".
Recently, I became more cultural – I went to the cinema (3 times in two weeks!). Due to those circumstances, one film that I saw was "Pokot". The screenplay is based on a novel by Olga Tokarczuk. I liked the cast – Borys Szyc, Andrzej Grabowski, Tomasz Kot and (my teenage love, because of "Sala Samobójców" ofc) Jakub Gierszał. At the helm of the film was Agnieszka Holland – one of the best and most talented Polish directors. Creating movies since the '70s, she now has become known in the world because of her works. "In Darkness" (2011) has echoed in media and brought Polish movies to the talk. Now, being a director of the series "House of Cards" brought her name to the consciousness of the wider audience.
Her latest work – "Pokot" is well-made and brings the viewers to the conclusion. I don't want to talk much about the plot because it's based on a book. However, I must admit that I wasn't expecting the ending at all. The main character – Mrs. Duszejko since the very beginning has been shown very positively. Animals are very important in her life, she's a caring person – wants to rescue every poor creature that becomes a victim of the hunters. The scene where she lies with a dying wild boar creates a great impact. Shows Mrs. Duszejko in a specific light – as the creators wanted to show her.
Another procedure of the makers, in order to show the majesty of nature, was the filming by Jolanta Dylewska and Rafał Paradowski. I remember vividly first frames of the movie. Beautiful landscape of the mountains covered with woods, suffused in dark colours. This dolly shot creates the feeling that nature is overwhelming. Another frame that stayed in my memory is the one when I meet Mrs. Duszejko for the first time. Being preceded by frames with running horses, it commences the narration. 2/3 of it shows the woods covered with snow and on the bottom, covering very little space – riding Suzuki Samurai. (being the property and one of best friends of Mrs. Duszejko).
But getting back to the business – Mr. Jakub Gierszał! He debuted to the wider audience with his role of Dominik Santorski in "Sala Samobójców" (directed by Jan Komasa who also wrote the screenplay). This movie made enormous media hype also collecting 22 (!) awards. The young director created a great picture. Frames bathed in dull colours created the contrast to colourful animations of a virtual world. Not only has Radosław Ładczuk shooting the movie done a great job. The screenplay was the reason of its success. It showed the poor reality of most Polish teenagers and their families. The kid is depressed and searches for the way to escape, whilst their parents are constantly at work to ensure child a welfare. Kuba did there a good job – his creation was very vivid and natural. He did so well, that most of the teenage girls were pissing their pants only because thinking about Dominik Santorski.
I like his acting in "Pokot". He played a role of Dyzio – young and talented boy that has just started his career in IT. He was working abroad (in Germany). However, because of his illness, he had to return to Poland. He got a job at computerization of the region. His task was connected with one (and the only) moment that was unreal – typical for Hollywood productions. Except that – the movie stayed real). He met Mrs. Duszejko at the police station when she was interviewed for the first time. He is a representative of a generation that is susceptible to new trends, but clever and curious about the world at the same time. His apartment looks like taken out of a home decorating magazine. Futuristic, totally subordinate to the minimalism current. Dyzio has got only 42 items in his home (including a toothbrush and fitness ball). His image was corresponding to his life philosophy. Wearing round glasses, having "unfashionable" haircut and lanky posture created a kind of a cute view. All in all, the influence of big, western cities (like Berlin, London or even Stockholm-not-that-western) was visible in his image. However, he has a very positive attitude to other people.
Another great creation has taken place in "Pokot". Mrs. Duszejko played by Agnieszka Mandat. Olga Tokarczuk created a character that comes across as, maybe a bit weird, maybe touchy... but for sure having a kind heart. Janina Duszsekjo is a vivid person. Animal lover, fighting for their laws in a society where hunting is on daily basis. She used to build bridges in Syria, now teaches English in the local school. She wants to kill time in order not to go crazy (she's not a certified teacher and what's more – she's retired). She's interested in astrology - checks movements and relative positions of celestial objects. She always connected the death to the horoscope of that person. At the beginning of the movie, she loses her two beloved dogs – Lea and Białka. They went missing and that's what started the spiral of death. One thing that I concluded moments after watching the movie – on every interview when the topic of murder came to light, she always changed the subject to her astrology interest asking for the birth date of the speaker.
All in all, I must admit that for the majority of the film not much has happened – that's the fact. But surprisingly it wasn't boring at all. Chapeau bas for the creators, because it's the hardest achievement to keep the viewer interested even if the plot isn't that fast. This movie is a sublime success which wasn't very loud, but worth the bait.
PS Was only me shocked that her friends weren't outraged by her conduct?
Aleksandra Stojanowska, class 2G
