The films from the old continent have always been the strongest, most numerous representation at Krakow Film Festival. Traditionally, most of the competition films come from Europe. Some countries have already gained reputations for being "film strong", while others have just begun presenting their artistic output in Krakow.
The cycle "Somewhere in Europe" focuses on the portrayals of extraordinary Europeans. This year it is dominated by the neighbouring countries of Poland. The Czech Republic, well-known for its splendid school of documentary, will be represented by the film "Black Hearts", the shooting of which took an entire year. Its authors, Bretislav Rychlik and Monika Rychlikova, travelling through the Central Europe, observed the life of Romany people living there. The stories they heard were woven into multicolour film portrait of contemporary Romany people.
Hardly known in Poland, Slovak cinematography will present a sense of humour worthy of their western neighbour. The film "Arsy Versy" tells about Lubos - a man who decided not to grow up, and subordinated his entire life to his two passions: photography and bats. The film's director, Miro Remo, looks at his protagonist and his unique relationship with his mother in a friendly way.
Lack of freedom breeds creativity, as the makers of the film "Comrade Couture", set in the East Berlin, emphasize. Marco Wilms, once a fashion fan, and now a director, makes a fascinating documentary about people who try to cut out a bit of artistic freedom for themselves in the grey world.
The protagonist of the film "Mirror", the mayor of a small town, also comes up with an unusual idea. To light up the town, which is surrounded by mountains, he installs a mirror on the nearby peak, to bring sunrays directly to the historic market place.
In turn, the Romanian-Spanish co-production "Constantin and Elena" by Andrei Dascalescu tells a story about an elderly couple, who have been living happily in a small town for over 50 years.
The cycle SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE consists of the following films:
ARSY-VERSY, dir. Miro Remo, Slovakia 2009, 23'
Upside down, a few metres above the earth - this is how he would like to spend his time, taking photographs of bats. Lubos has been interested in nature since he was a child. It can even be said that nature was everything to him. Not much has changed. Lubos is fifty and gives himself totally to his passion. He is not concerned about work and setting up home. How long will he be capable of living detached from reality?
THE MIRROR, dir. David Christensen, Italy 2009, 85'
When the Alpine town Viganella begins to fall into decline due to the lack of sunlight, the mayor decided to remedy this. He brings a mirror which he installs on one of the mountain peaks. The new purchase reflects the sunrays and lights up the historic city centre. Since then, two suns shine in Viganella, and the interest in the idea in foreign countries surpasses the expectations of the town's government and citizens.
COMRADE COUTURE, dir. Marco Wilms, Lithuania, Germany, 90', 2009
When socialism was raging around, they were having the time of their lives. Chic, gallant and strong - that is how one of the fashion underground groups in East Berlin called itself. In the controversial fashion shows, they drew fistfuls of inspiration from the reality, creating in its centre their own world the other way round. Today they are sedate citizens, aged forty and more. Marco Wilms decided to gather his idols, who introduced an upheaval to the grey reality of 1980s, and to resuscitate the bygone epoch.
BLACK HEARTS, dir. Monika i Bretislav Rychlik, the Czech Republic 2008
Romany - peoples without land. Who are they today and what are their dreams? Scattered almost over the entire world, they preserve their national identity. The makers of the documentary spent a year visiting Romany families living in Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. Numerous stories heard during these meetings create a lively portrait of contemporary Romany people.
CONSTANTIN AND ELENA, dir. Andrei Dascalescu, Rumunia, Hiszpania 2009, 100'
Constantin and Elena are deeply in love with each other. For 54 years. They live in a tiny town in Romania, run a household, go to church and do not want anything more than they already have. Their peaceful existence captivates eye and soul. "It takes ambition, passion and love to every creature," this is Constantin's formula for longevity. Is there any formula for eternal love?
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Krakow Film Festival
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