OPENING NIGHT 20 SEPTEMBER 2024 LUNA LEEDERVILLE:
DOPPELGÄNGER. THE DOUBLE by Jan Holoubek
This October and November, the POLISH FILM FESTIVAL returns to Perth to celebrate its 10th anniversary, bringing a meticulously curated selection of award-winning films. From Venice premieres to Gdynia Film Festival favourites, the lineup features gripping spy thrillers, captivating dramas, stunning hand-painted animation, and light-hearted comedies. Showcasing the very best of contemporary Polish cinema, there’s truly something for everyone, including younger audiences. The full program is on the festival website and tickets are on sale now!
Every year the Polish Film Festival showcases a diverse selection of inspiring, thought-provoking and entertaining films, giving Australian audiences a glimpse into stories coming from a fascinating country at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Western and Eastern Europe. Year 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Festival, originally established in Perth, and now held annually in both Sydney and Perth. “As we celebrate this significant milestone, we warmly invite everyone to explore the rich world of Polish cinema through our 2024 program. This year’s lineup beautifully showcases the breadth of cinematic offerings from Poland, highlighting the exceptional skills of Polish filmmakers and reflecting diversity of stories and styles. It promises audiences an unforgettable journey through captivating tales and compelling narratives taking place in various periods of Poland’s history.” – said the Festival Director, Magdalena Ambrozkiewicz.
Opening the festival on Sunday 20 October at Luna Leederville is DOPPELGÄNGER. THE DOUBLE, a critically acclaimed Cold War spy thriller unfolding on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Masterfully directed by Jan Holoubek, it follows the intertwined lives of two men, Hans Steiner in Strasbourg and Jan Bitner in Gdańsk, living in parallel universes yet inexorably connected. Critics have praised the film for its exceptional craftsmanship.
Vogue (Poland) commended its “excellent craftsmanship, superb acting, a unique vision and style!”, while Sydney Arts Guide highlighted both the director Jan Holoubek and lead actor Jakub Gierszał, noting that “Holoubek’s work is beyond praise as he keeps audiences on the edge of their seats” and “Gierszal delivers a stunning screen performance as the spy”.
The 2024 selection also includes:
A WOMAN OF… A recent selection at the Sydney Film Festival from the acclaimed duo Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, known for “Never Gonna Snow Again” (PFF Perth 2021), “Infinite Storm” (starring Naomi Watts) and “Body” (PFF Perth 2015). Premiering at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the prestigious Golden Lion, it is “a bold, ambitious addition to the oeuvre of” of this film-making team according to Screen International. Spanning 45 years, it explores the struggle for self-identity while highlighting the profound beauty found in authentic human connections. It follows the story of Aniela Wesoły, born and raised as Andrzej, who spent more than half her adult life in a provincial town, living as a man, before she found the courage to embrace her true self and reclaim her identity.
“It holds its audience with the sheer, plangent emotional force of its storytelling, and via an enormously sympathetic lead performance by Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik.” – Variety
THE PEASANTS a breathtaking, hand-painted animated adaptation of the Nobel Prize-winning novel from the creators of the Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA-nominated “Loving Vincent”. It is a visually stunning tale of love, resistance, and the harsh realities of rural 19th century life in a tightly-knit, patriarchal community. Told through the changing seasons, the story centers on a beautiful young woman whose love life becomes the talk of the village as she finds herself caught between love, duty, and societal expectations.
“A ravishingly beautiful visual triumph.” — Hollywood Reporter
“A dynamic, immersive drama that brings the pleasures and pains of the past to ravishing life.” — Screen International
SCARBORN, an unconventional Tarantino-style action drama, infused with dark comedy and loosely drawing inspiration from historical events and the return of American Revolutionary War hero General Tadeusz ‘Kos’ Kościuszko to his homeland of Poland, where accompanied by his faithful friend and former slave Domingo he plans an uprising against the Russians. Winner of the esteemed Golden Lions for Best Film at the 48th Gdynia Film Festival, as well as Press Award and Youth Jury Award.
“Engaging, brilliantly shot action cinema that will captivate the entire audience.” — Immersja
FEAST OF FIRE a new film by Kinga Dębska, the director renowned for heart-warming comedy dramas like “Back Then” and “These Daughters of Mine”. It is another feel-good story, infused with a ‘carpe diem’ spirit. Adapted from Jakub Małecki’s novel under the same title, it seamlessly weaves together tales of hope and personal triumph of two sisters, a nonverbal 20-year-old Anastazja and promising ballet prodigy Łucja, as they confront life’s intricate challenges.
“Another feel-good movie in Kinga Dębska’s repertoire that allows you to forget about the monotony of everyday life” — Kinoblog
Based on the autobiographical novel by Leopold Tyrmand, a fresh take on World War II narratives told through the eyes of a young Polish Jew working under false French identity at a lavish Frankfurt hotel serving the German elite. Elevated by stunning production design, outstanding performances, and award-winning cinematography by Michał Sobociński, FILIP presents a unique perspective on survival, identity, and moral complexities of blending into the society of those responsible for one’s suffering.
“It’s a deeply personal, conflicting, character-led drama which never loses its edge. It’s extremely deserving of your time.” – Movie Scramble
ULTIMA THULE a remarkable minimalist feature debut with stellar lead performance by Jakub Gierszał. Winner of the Best Film Award in the Micro Budget Competition of the 2023 Gdynia Film Festival, it is a poignant tale of self-discovery on the remote Scottish island of Foula, where 30-year-old Bartek seeks solace from the chaos of everyday life.
THE DOG WHO TRAVELLED BY TRAIN a heart-warming tale that captured the hearts of audiences across Poland, ranking in the top three most popular Polish films in cinemas last year. Adapted to contemporary times from the renowned book by Roman Pisarski, this modern retelling follows the enchanting adventures of Lampo, a real-life dog in 1950s Italy.
NEXT TO NOTHING, an award-winning feature-length directorial debut of Grzegorz Dębowski, is a gripping social drama set in the realities of contemporary rural Poland, offering a powerful portrayal of the changing countryside. At its core, it tells the universal story of a man fighting for dignity and seeking justice while staying true to himself and his principles.
Closing the festival is THE IN-LAWS 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed smash hit comedy “The In-Laws”, where a couple’s prospective in-laws join forces to prevent them from marrying.
All films screen with English subtitles.
Tickets are now on sale and the full program is available at http://www.polishfilmfestival.org
FULL PROGRAM OF THE 2024 POLISH FILM FESTIVAL IN PERTH
- OPENING NIGHT: DOPPELGÄNGER. THE DOUBLE(Doppelgänger. Sobowtór) by Jan Holoubek;
Sunday 20 October 6:30pm Luna Leederville
- SCARBORN (Kos) by Paweł Maślona;
Sunday 27 October 6pm Luna Leederville
- NEXT TO NOTHING(Tyle co nic) by Grzegorz Dębowski;
Wednesday 30 October 6:45pm The Backlot Perth
- THE PEASANTS (Chłopi) by Dorota Kobiela- Welchman, Hugh Welchman;
Sunday 3 November 6pm Luna Leederville
- FILIP (Filip) by Michał Kwieciński;
Thursday 7 November 6:45pm Luna Leederville
- FEAST OF FIRE (Święto Ognia) by Kinga Dębska;
Sunday 10 November 6pm Luna Leederville
- WOMAN OF… (Kobieta z…) by Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert
Sunday 14 November 6pm Luna Leederville
- THE DOG WHO TRAVELLED BY TRAIN (O psie, który jeździł koleją) by Magdalena Nieć
Sunday 17 November 3:30pm The Backlot Perth
- ULTIMA THULE (Ultima Thule) by Klaudiusz Chrostowski;
Sunday 17 November 6pm The Backlot Perth
- CLOSING NIGHT: THE IN-LAWS 2 (Teściowie 2) by Kalina Alabrudzińska;
Sunday 24 November 6pm Luna Leederville
