DAD YOU'VE NEVER HAD
Watchable. A reunion with a father is no new subject. But this documentary, very personal, shot over one week, manages to present within half an hour the whole history behind it, the father's personality and world view, as well as how it has affected his daughter and other family members. Her exploration of his flat indicates the life she could have had. Early on he remarks: "Opowieść jest najważniejszą walutą" ("A tale is the most important currency") - not directly relevant to the case but some food for thought.
OSTATNI GWIZDEK (THE LAST WHISTLE)
Watchable. Another half-an-hour short film. Nothing new in a father-son relationship on the screen, nothing new in a coach-trainee relationship, finally a father doubling as a coach is no original protagonist either. The creator used to swim himself, having been to a sports school so the story's relevant to him and to growing up. But it's simple and derivative. Wonderful pictures of the sea at twilight and one picture-perfect shot looking like a postcard from a tropical island compensate for the very average plot.
A curious fact from the Q&A after the film is that the actor who played the coach, Przemysław Bluszcz, doesn't know how to swim.
Watchable. At first, I couldn't make out what this 30-minute film was about. But the teenage girls' relationship, the wonderfully shot club scene: the shabby wall with paint flaking off, dance close-ups, all both reflecting the atmosphere and presenting the characters together with natural dialogue eventually got me engaged in the story.
The teenage actresses are so convincing you can't tell it's their film debut (both for Kamilla Baar and for Nel Kaczmarek), and an acting debut for one (Nel Kaczmarek since Kamilla Baar had acted in the theatre before).
SOLAR VOYAGE
Watchable. A visual feast and a humorous biography of a genius engineer who didn't manage to profit from his invention. The most creatively depicted tale - due to the protagonist having withdrawn. The only drawback is that it lacks a strong message.
The director, now a lecturer of some technical subject, had studied graphics before.
All the above four short films were professionally produced but lacked in the script.
MAGNEZJA (MAGNESIUM)
Recommended. By Maciej Bochniak, known for his earlier surprise marvel "Disco Polo". This time he has created another fantastical alternative Poland. The cinematography is stylised to resemble old photographs. Together with iconic images, costumes by Dorota Roqueplo, hairstyling, locations, specifically built set decoration it creates a kind-of-western based on the history of the Polish East. Outstanding performances by Maja Ostaszewska, Borys Szyc, Bartosz Bielenia each in an astonishing character, but also by everyone else, whether the role big or small. Italian songs with lyrics matching the events are tongue-in-cheek in this multicultural imagery. As for the plot, numerous twists of action, suspense, characteristic protagonists and a constant game with cultural associations totally absorb you.
THIS IS SHORT
NEW POINT OF VIEW
DAS SPIEL (THE GAME)
Watchable. An interesting concept to depict a football referee as a show/film director. Quality editing - the 17' film was shot at 4 different stadiums. I guess you need to be a football spectator yourself to appreciate it more.
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