THE QUEEN AND THE SMOKEHOUSE
POLISH TITLE: BAŁTYK
The Queen and the Smokehouse by Iga Lis is an unconventional snapshot of the seaside. Tourists on the beach, ships in the harbour, and soaring seagulls are merely colourful additions to the story of a strong, female protagonist. Her smokehouse is not just an iconic spot on Łeba’s map but also a symbol of a passing era. Small, local businesses run by bold and offbeat owners and spirited female entrepreneurs are failing, giving way to unified corporate competition.
- GENRE:
- documentary
- COUNTRY:
- Poland
- RUNNING TIME:
- 65'
- YEAR:
- 2025
- COLOUR:
- colour
- DIRECTING:
-
Iga Lis
- EDITOR:
-
Kosma Kowalczyk, Jakub Darewski
- PRODUCTION:
- Justyna Gawełko
Iga Lis is part of a new generation of female directors, distinguished by her sensitive andvisually compelling storytelling. With a degree in History from the London School ofEconomics, she approaches filmmaking with a thoughtful, humanistic perspective that shapesboth her narrative and documentary work.Her films explore contemporary themes through intimate, character-driven stories, with aparticular focus on the passage of time and the stages of life. Her short film IN MY DAY(2024) is a quiet, emotionally rich exploration of generational memory. Her upcoming featuredocumentary THE QUEEN AND THE SMOKEHOUSE (2025), set in the seaside town ofŁeba, tells the story of Miecia — a local icon known as the “Queen”, who has run hersmokehouse for over forty years. When illness forces her to step back, the film becomes atender, observational study of womanhood, identity, and letting go.Iga has also written and directed short films on environmental themes and co-founded thecivic engagement initiatives PRZEBUDZENIE i OLŚNIENIE, aimed at increasing voterturnout among young people in Poland.Her work is defined by quiet intensity, layered emotional tone, and a strong sense of place.Iga’s films have already gained international recognition — including selections at the YoungDirector Award in Cannes and the London Short Film Festival. With a growing body of workand a distinct artistic voice, she is quickly establishing