14/09/2006

One of the indisputable contenders for the Golden Lion at the 31st Gdynia Polish Film Festival is Saviour Square by Krzysztof Krauze and Joanna Kos-Krauze.

Following the international success of My Nikifor (see news), Krauze’s new film deals with family ties, as his 1999 drama The Debt (1999).

Like his previous film, Krauze’s latest title is based on the true story of ordinary characters. However, unlike The Debt, where crisis led to disaster from the outside, Saviour Square tells of the interior drama of its characters.

An average Polish couple with two children live with the husband’s mother (Arkadiusz Janiczek) before moving into a new apartment still under construction. However, the real estate agent – to whom the couple has given its entire savings – goes bankrupt. This incident shows up the characters’ weaknesses. The end of dreams and any glimmer of hope causes the children’s young mother (Jowita Budnik) to sink into a deep depression and become isolated, which in turn leads to other important events.

A Zebra Film Productions production, in co-production with TVP and Canal Plus Poland and with the support of the Agence de soutien à la production, the film has received very good reviews from critics since its release on September 9.

Another official competition favourite is The Boy on a Galloping Horse by Adam Guziński. The young director, making his debut feature, won First Prize of the Cinéfondation at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival for his short Jakub.

Here, he creates the minimalist universe in which Jerzy (Piotr Bajor) is a writer sorely lacking inspiration, from which his wife Maria (Aleksandra Justa) also suffers and she gradually distances herself from him. In the background is their son Jasiek (Krzysztof Lis), whose illness leaves permanent traces on his parents and visibly affects the couple’s relationship. This simple, silent film with a lyricism rare in modern-day Polish cinema is worthy of acclaim.

Produced by Piotr and Łukasz Dzięcioł for Opus Film, the film was funded by the EU MEDIA Plus programme and was co-produced by TVP with the financial participation of the Polish Film Institute (PISF).

(Translated from French)