POLISH SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILMS AT DOK LEIPZIG FESTIVAL - REVIEWS
Today, the 59th DOK Leipzig starts with the international premiere of three polish documentary films: “Close ties” by Zofia Kowalewska, “Daniel” by Anastazja Dąbrowska and “Three conversations on life” by Julia Staniszewska. We would like to invite you to read the reviews of these films.
Bitter-sweet marriage - "Close Ties" by Zofia Kowalewska
The greatest strength of the film "Close Ties" is precisely the fact that in her début film, Kowalewska managed to subordinate the film's atmosphere to the story and the protagonists. The credit for this should be given to the protagonists themselves, who are very colourful, cinematic characters. Under the layer of their bitter-sweet quarrels, they hide deep emotions and complicated relationships. Because "Close Ties" is first and foremost a film about people who make a difficult attempt, after many years they decide to rebuild their ties and to live together. Although their behaviour often makes us laugh, it is worthwhile to appreciate their courage and be moved by their "simple" emotions.
We invite you to read the entire review in our Reading Room.
I would like to live differently – "Daniel" by Anastazja Dąbrowska
(...) At the same time, "Daniel" is a film about true friendship. The relationship between Daniel and Janek, another participant of the summer camp, is enviable. In the world of the protagonists, there is no place for insincerity and hypocrisy, emotions are shown much stronger and experienced more fully. Relationships are based on trust, and only in such a climate, in such an atmosphere, there can be a sincere and serious conversation (about being with another person or about having children). Dąbrowska shows all these things in her short film, teaching us how to live.
The full text of the review can be found here.
Fill in the silence - "Three Conversations on Life" by Julia Staniszewska
"Thank you, darling. I do not want to talk about this..." says the mother in the opening scene of the film and she walks away from the table. The camera is the tool used by the daughter-author of the film, she puts the camera and starts the conversation in order to understand. This raises the question why did the mother agree to this filmed conversation at all? However, minute by minute we realise that this decision is dictated by love, the women may not agree with each other, they may have different worldviews, but as we see their dedication, we understand that they love each other.
We invite you to read the full text of the review here.