20/04/2016 - We caught up with Polish master filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi to talk about Foreign Body at the 17th Lecce European Film Festival, where he was awarded the Golden Olive Tree career award

Director Krzysztof Zanussi (© Festival del Cinema Europeo di Lecce)

Foreign Body [+see also:
trailer
interview: Krzysztof Zanussi
film profile], the latest film by Polish master filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi, hits Italian theatres on 5 May, under the distribution of Lab80. The co-production between Poland, with Studio Filmowe TOR, Italy, with Revolver Film, and Russia is a psychological drama that tackles the issues of a crisis of cultural and religious values. We met with Zanussi at the Lecce European Film Festival, where he was awarded the Golden Olive Tree career award. 

Cineuropa: There’s a common denominator to all your films, the way you call political, social and religious certainties into question. 
Krzysztof Zanussi: Certainty is always a dangerous thing because it’s a sign of mental distortion. A person can say they’re alive until they call all the things they’re certain of into question. This doesn’t mean we should nurture doubt, typical of those who explore the world. Even in religion, faith is too certain and dangerous too, because it should instead be analysed and put to the test. 

The protagonist of the film is Angelo, an ardent Christian, who finds work in Warsaw with a multinational.
On the other hand we have a line-up of emancipated women that are more cynical and brutal than men. The result of the clash is reminiscent of a standoff: his idealism is shaky despite the guidance he receives from his God, but his cynicism also shows signs of concession.

With TOR Film Studio you are also the co-producer of Game Count (see news article), the new film by Agnieszka Holland, a thriller based on a book by Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk.
It’s a complex and bold film involving five European countries: Poland, Sweden, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This i show we hope to defend and distribute it in different countries.

Is the idea of a truly united Europe in crisis?
Europe has at any rate made big steps forward, we can’t deny that it is united to some extent. Our Europe is based on  Christianity, even if this isn’t as strong as it used to be. 

Meanwhile, we’re building walls to keep migrants out.
Us Europeans have achieved a certain state of wellbeing and we’re willing to share it with others. It’s important to reflect on how generous we are.

(Translated from Italian)