Polish Institute in New Delhi invited audience for the Polish Film Festival Kinoteka 2023. The festival organised in collaboration with India Habitat Centre returned to India after few years gap and took place from 11 to 30 December 2023.
Kinoteka 2023 aimed to showcase diversity of Polish cinematography through realised in recent years features. Films presented at the festival dealt with various social aspects as well as historical events of twenty century Poland.
The opening of the festival kicked off with screening of “DOPPELGÄNGER. DOUBLE,” directed by Jan Holoubek. The screening was preceded by Holoubek’s personalised video message to Indian audience.
To celebrate the festival Polish Institute announced a contest for best reel on Polish Cinema. The winner of the contest Mr. Rajeeb Barooah received award on 26 December during one of the festival screenings.
The following films were shown during the festival:
DOPPELGÄNGER. DOUBLE, Director: Jan Holoubek, 2023/ 120 mins
It is a suspense-filled psychological drama with elements of a thriller and a spy movie. A film inspired by the true story of a special agent of Cold-War Poland who posed as the son of a German woman to build false family relations and launch a successful espionage career. A film about a man steeped in inner conflict, driven by love to try to turn back from a path of no return.
DAD, Director: Anna Maliszewska, 2022/ 110 mins
© 2023 Metro Films & Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Fot. Monika Stolarska.jpg.
Michal is a truck driver and a single father raising his daughter Miśka. When he is on the road, his Ukrainian neighbour looks after his daughter. When the Ukrainian nanny suddenly dies, Michal takes the girls with him on a journey. For Michal, the compulsory journey is the time of growing up to be a dad.
SHREDS, Director: Beata Dzianowicz, 2022/ 100 mins
Foto Łukasz Bąk
The Pateroks are a loving, multi-generational family. Their life is easy and humorous. Suddenly a problem arises in this harmonious reality. It turns out they are at the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s. How do the heroes of the film deal with this diagnosis? Gerard’s worsening disease puts family relationships to a great test, and the hidden tensions, secrets and grievances emerge.
LEAVE NO TRACES, Director: Jan P. Matuszyński, 2021/ 160 mins
LEAVE NO TRACES_Still_1_Feat._Tomasz Ziętek_Photo©Łukasz Bąk
The country is shaken by the case of Grzegorz Przemyk – a high school student beaten to death by militia. Based on true events, the film follows the story of Jurek – the only witness of the beating, who overnight became the number one enemy of the state.
BACKWARDS/SUBUK Director: Jacek Lusiński, 2022/ 111 mins
SUBUK_Jacek Lusinski_fotos 2_fot.Robert Jaworski
Inspired by true events. The story of a young mother of an autistic boy, whose many years of stubbornness and the fight against bureaucracy and human heartlessness led to changes in the education system.
We were overwhelmed with great response of Indian audience and their positive feedback. Here are some photos from the festival:
The winner of the contest for best reel on Polish Cinema, Mr. Rajeeb Barooah with director Mr Kajus Augustyniak and Ms. Anna Marat
