10/02/2010

Juliusz Machulski’s latest feature, Lullabay (Kołysanka), to be launched in Polish theatres on Friday, February 12 by Monolith Films, looks set to take its place alongside the director’s other cult comedies (Sexmission, King Size, Girl Guide and last year’s How Much Does the Trojan Horse Weigh?).

The filmmaker, who is known above all for his skilful blending of humour and serious socio-political commentary, departs this time from his usual style for he has decided in Lullabay to combine humour and horror, with a sprinkling of vampires.

Written by Adam Dobrzycki, this cinematic mix of comedy and horror is set in a small picturesque town where the inhabitants gradually disappear, in mysterious circumstances. The atmosphere grows more oppressive and tense, but those responsible for this situation, the vampires, don’t inspire fear, but instead spark laughter, thanks to well-written dialogues, scenes that strike the right chord and highly creative performances (by a cast including Robert Więckiewicz, Małgorzata Buczkowska-Szlenkier, Janusz Chabior and Krzysztof Kiersznowski).

The film was lensed by DoP Arkadiusz Tomiak (Jan Jakub Kolski’s Keep Away from the Window, Konrad Niewolski’s Palimpsest, Paweł Borowski’s Zero).

Produced by Studio Filmowe Zebra, Lullabay was co-produced by Monolith Films (distribution), Studio Filmowe Oto and Nonstop Film Service. The €1.7m film received €750,000 in backing from the Polish Film Institute (PISF).