The Polish Institute New Delhi in cooperation with The India Habitat Centre presented to the Indian audience two films “The Peasants” and ”Song of Goats”. Both were screened at The Habitat International Film Festival 2024.

On 8th March, the festival officially opened its doors with the motive of celebrating critically acclaimed cinema showcasing over 60 feature films, documentaries, animation and VR films from across the globe. As the opening ceremony was held on International Women’s Day, the films were chosen specifically to be revolving around women-centric issues and on women directors.

“The Peasants” directed by D.K. Welchman and Hugh Welchman (the same filmmakers behind the Oscar-nominated “Loving Vincent”), featured in the official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival 2023 was screened on March 10 2024 at 2 p.m.
“The Peasants” tell the story of Jagna, a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late 19th century Polish village –a hotbed of gossip and on-going feuds, held together, rich and poor, by pride in their land, adherence to colorful traditions and deep-rooted patriarchy. When Jagna finds herself caught between the conflicting desires of the village’s richest farmer, his eldest son, and other leading men of the community, her resistance puts her on a tragic collision course with the community around her. “The Peasants” is a movie based on famous Polish novel by Władysław Reymont.

“Song Of Goats” directed by Andrzej Jakimowski was screened on 13th March 2024 at 4pm. It tells the story of Polish young man, Andreas, who arrives on a remote Greek island to sell a plot of land inherited from his uncle. But who would buy a barren, rocky field with a stone hut? In order to sell the plot Andreas has to pay off a debt his uncle ran up with Yiannis, a local farmer. But as Andrea has no money, stuck in the valley, he waits every morning for Yiannis’ granddaughter, Lena, to bring him bread and cheese… A good reason to work on Yiannis’ field to pay back the money. At this point he does not sense the danger hanging over the valley and the nearby village. An experience of death and misfortune will soon open his eyes to the fragility of this small world.
Festival took place 8-17th March 2024 and all the screenings were free and open to all.