Movie reviews

KROTKAYA (A GENTLE CREATURE/UNA FEMME DOUCE)

Recommended. "Krotkaya" goes one step further than "Leviathan". It's a bleak, Kafkaesque picture of Russia, with murder being an everyday subject of conversations, corruption, false promises, alcoholism, human trafficking and sexual violence treated as a norm, human rights advocates facing predjudice and absurd allegations. In the midst of all these distorted norms a strong but helpless woman. It's long but totally gripping. Russia in a nutshell. Undeservedly not submitted for an Oscar.

PHOTON

Walked out. A monotonously spoken, archaically shot lesson on evolution. Looks like from the 1970s.


The "Jest życie po końcu świat" book premiere followed the release of "Ptaki śpiewają w Kigali" ("Birds Are Singing In Kigali"). Movie director Joanna Kos-Krauze and one of lead actresses Jowita Budnik acted like stars of the evening: both arrogant and as vague as the movie. The director ridiculed food allergies. She actually had sent back home some European staff who couldn't eat certain products in Africa, since she had seen it as a lack of sensitivity. If she had had some knowledge she would have known that a lack of hygiene, like in war-torn zones, successfully prevents the occurence of allergies. In Europe such health issues are genuine. It was Joanna Kos-Krauze who manifested a lack of sensitivity. And a lack of education.

The "Happy Olo" premiere was a welcome contrast. Aleksander Doba is a hands on, down to earth guy, fond of people and very warm-hearted. I tried some freeze-dried foods: a delicious pasta with nettle (which he hadn't eaten, preferring meat), strawberries and smoothies all made of freeze-dried fruit - the kind of meals the kayaker had on his Atlantic journeys. The kayak was on display too. No one was guarding it and kids were able to open it and get inside which upset the hero. He lets children go in but only in his presence. During interviewes and answering ad hoc questions he showed some signs of impatience too. Clearly the tour promoting the movie and both books is taking its toll on him. Apart from hearing the story of his she-shark encounter again, I found out the desalinator would break down during all his voyages and he had to pump water by hand. Once a membrane, at other times other parts, something would go wrong with it each time. His entrance to the screening room was brilliant: he circled a column three times - "Actors go out three times at the curtain call, so I entered thrice." He's a firm believer in achieving one's goals even at 71. He greeted the audience in the other screen differently as he "hadn't learnt it by heart." It was remarkable how he may have been fed up with all the necessary hype but would go out to the people, sing books, pose for pictures with a great smile and cheerfulness.