ZIELONA GRANICA | 147 min 
GREEN BORDER
DIR. AGNIESZKA HOLLAND
Trailer
“Green Border,” directed by Agnieszka Holland, is a compelling drama set against the backdrop of the real-life geopolitical crisis at the Poland-Belarus border. The film intricately portrays the harrowing experiences of refugees from the Middle East and Africa, who find themselves caught in a political game orchestrated by Belarus to destabilize the EU. The narrative interweaves the lives of a Syrian refugee family, a young border guard, and a psychologist turned activist, highlighting the human cost of political maneuvers and the struggle for safety and dignity amidst harsh border policies.

The film is shot in a stark, realistic style, effectively using its visual and narrative elements to engage the audience with the refugees’ plight and the moral conflicts faced by those on the ground. Agnieszka Holland uses her directorial prowess to deliver a narrative that is both gripping and profoundly human, challenging the audience to confront the dehumanizing aspects of migration policies and the resilience of those affected by them.

STĄD – DOKĄD | 84 min 
IN THE REAR VIEW
DIR. MACIEK HAMELA
Trailer
“In the Rearview” (Stąd-Dokąd), directed by Maciek Hamela, is a poignant documentary that captures the stories of Ukrainian refugees during the initial days of the Russian invasion. The film follows their arduous van traveling from Ukraine to Poland. It serves various roles, from a waiting room to a confession booth, where the passengers share their harrowing experiences. Through these personal stories, the film paints a collective portrait of resilience, focusing on the human aspect of displacement without resorting to sensationalism. The narrative unfolds naturally as passengers share their experiences and fears, offering a deeply human perspective on the refugee crisis.

TAK JAK BYŁO | (SHORT) 15 min
AS IT WAS
DIR. ANASTASIA SOLONEVYCH
Trailer

“As It Was” is a short film directed by Damian Kocur and Anastasia Solonevych, focusing on the poignant experiences of Lera, a young woman who has been living in Berlin since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Feeling disconnected and uneasy in Berlin, Lera makes a spontaneous decision to return to Kyiv for the first time since the war began. Upon her arrival, she discovers that her family is temporarily away, and she spends a reflective day in the city with her friend Kyrylo. The film delicately captures her internal struggle and the surreal normalcy of life in a war-torn country, juxtaposing her personal journey with the broader context of conflict.

SOBOWTÓR | 119 min 
DOPPELGANGER
DIR. JAN HOLOUBEK
Trailer

“Doppelgänger” (also known as “The Double”) is a dramatic and thrilling film directed by Jan Holoubek. The plot revolves around two men, Hans and Jan Bitner, living opposite sides of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Hans leads a quiet life working in an office in Strasbourg, France, while Jan, a Polish patriot, is deeply involved in the Solidarity movement and the fight for a free Poland, residing in Sopot, Poland. Though their lives are markedly different, a significant detail mysteriously links them, challenging their sense of identity and forcing them to confront profound questions about themselves and their situations. The film explores themes of political intrigue and personal identity against historical tension.

CHŁOPI | 112 min 
PEASANTS
DIR. DK & HUGH WELCHMAN
Trailer

“Peasants” (Chłopi), directed by DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman, is a visually striking animated film adapted from Władysław Reymont’s Nobel Prize-winning novel. The story unfolds in a late 19th-century Polish village, focusing on Jagna, a young peasant woman whose fate is manipulated by those around her. Forced into marriage with a wealthy but much older farmer, Boryna, despite her love for his son Antek, Jagna faces the envy and hostility of the other villagers. As she struggles to maintain her independence, the narrative explores themes of love, oppression, and the harsh realities of rural life. The film is notable for its hand-painted animation technique, involving over a hundred painters who brought the scenes to life using oil paintings based on live-action shots.

ŚWIĘTO OGNIA | 97 min 
FEAST OF FIRE
DIR. KINGA DEBSKA
Trailer

“Fest of Fire” (Święto Ognia), directed by Kinga Dębska, is a poignant drama that delves into the lives of two sisters who grapple with their physical and emotional constraints. The film, adapted from a novel by Jakub Małecki, explores themes of ambition, personal struggle, and familial bonds. One sister, confined to a wheelchair, finds solace and expression in her vibrant imagination and love for comics. In contrast, her older sister pursues a career in ballet, believing it will help her escape her troubling memories. Their father seeks refuge in his escapades, illustrating a family dealing with their past and present in unique ways. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of personal discovery and the revelation of a long-hidden family secret that emerges with the arrival of a vivacious neighbor.

KAJTEK CZARODZIEJ | 102 min
KAJTEK THE WIZARD
DIR. MAGDALENA ŁAZAKIEWICZ
Trailer

“Kajtek the Wizard” is a family fantasy film directed by Magdalena Łazarkiewicz, based on a novel by Janusz Korczak. The story revolves around Kajtek, a twelve-year-old boy raised by his grandmother and father. Kajtek discovers he has magical powers that transform his life and allow him to perform enchantments. However, as he navigates his newfound abilities, he learns that magic cannot fulfill his deepest need for love and acceptance. The film explores themes of personal growth, the power of dreams, and the importance of familial love and understanding. Kajtek’s journey is about balancing his extraordinary abilities with his desire for a normal, loving family life.

NA TWOIM MIEJSCU | 102 min 
IF I WERE YOU
DIR. ANTONIO GALDAMEZ MUNOZ
Trailer

“If I Were You” (“Na Twoim Miejscu”) is a comedic film directed by Antonio Galdamez Munoz. The story revolves around a married couple, Kasia and Krzysiek, who wake up one day to find they have switched bodies. This unexpected situation forces them to confront the realities of their partner’s daily life and responsibilities, shedding light on the challenges and misunderstandings in their relationship. The film uses this body-swap scenario to explore themes of empathy, communication, and gender roles within a marriage, offering a humorous yet insightful commentary on relationships.

DAY 2
Friday, May 31
SCANDINAVIA HOUSE

3:30 PM
STĄD- DOKĄD / IN THE REAR VIEW dir. Maciek Hamela, doc. 84 min

5:00 PM
NEW YORK PREMIERE
KAJTEK THE WIZARD / KAJTEK CZARODZIEJ 
dir. Magdalena Łazarkiewicz, 103 min    Meeting with the director Magdalena Łazarkiewicz in person!

6:30 PM
NEW YORK PREMIERE
ŚWIĘTO OGNIA / FEAST OF FIRE
dir. Kinga Dębska, 94 min
Meeting with the actress Paulina Pytlak in person!

8:15 PM
CHŁOPI / PEASANTS
dir. DK & Hugh Welchman, 112 min

DAY 3
Saturday, June 1
SCANDINAVIA HOUSE

12:00 PM
KAJTEK THE WIZARD / KAJTEK CZARODZIEJ 
dir. Magdalena Łazarkiewicz, 103 min    Meeting with the director Magdalena Łazarkiewicz in person!

2:00 PM
IF I WERE YOU / NA TWOIM MIEJSCU
dir. Antonio Galdamez Munoz 102 min

4:00 PM
ŚWIĘTO OGNIA / FEAST OF FIRE
dir. Kinga Dębska, 94 min
Actress Paulina Pytlak in Person!

6:00 PM
SOBOWTÓR / DOPPELGANGER 
dir. Jan Holoubek, 119 min

8:15 PM
GREEN BORDER / ZIELONA GRANICA
dir. Agnieszka Holland. 147 min