KOS (SCARBORN)
Recommended. Structured like "Django Unchained", it tells about the commonality of fate of American slaves and Polish serfs - one actor, Jason Mitchell, is actually a black American and in this Polish movie he's as excellent as all the Polish cast. I'm not listing the numerous names, the performances are all superb. Top-notch cinematography, editing and virtually everything are world-class. The best, however, is the script: with smart dialogue, lots of humour, it's a game between Polish nobility, peasants and Russian occupiers. It's intense, with just perfect lines. It's an intelligent remake of history, with levity, with a large dose of wit and smart adjustment to the Polish reality. There's one famous line from the current war in Ukraine as well.The dialogues, with lots of quips, are a work of genius. The movie's absolutely spotless.
ROBOT DREAMS
Recommended again. I spotted the mugshot with name Dog Varon - like the surname of the original comic book author. The song is 1978 "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. This time round I didn't perceive the movie as as sorrowful as before. It's still for adults rather than for kids - those would get bored and impatient, even though the story's rich in little events. This time I saw it as a tale about in how many ways we're useful to others, about how we cherish our relationships and how everyone needs someone. It's very life-like, including some malicious people, but told with love. Animation-wise, Dog's tail speaks volumes at times.
ORLY FESTIVAL 2024 - POLISH FILM AWARDS CANDIDATES
МИ НЕ ЗГАСНЕМО (WE WILL NOT FADE AWAY)
Walked out. Ukrainian-controlled part of Donbass, 2019. Daily life, smalltown youth's longings, soldiers passing them by in the street, distant sounds of artillery. Nothing you wouldn't expect. Nothing to make a film about.
HER DOCS FORUM
ЩОРАЗУ ЗАТИНАЮСЯ ВІД ЗВІСТКИ З КИЄВА (I STUMBLE EVERY TIME I HEAR FROM KYIV)
Switched off. A short documentary in which a refugee talks to people in Kyiv and parallelly undergoes a trauma therapy. Incomprehensible in details, in disarray.
