INITIATING JUBILEE CYCLE – PART I – KRAKOW SCANDALE
On its 50th birthday Krakow Film Festival starts the cycle of monthly screenings composed of the most interesting films presented during the whole history of the Festival. First part of the cycle “Krakow scandals” kicks off tomorrow in Kino Pod Baranami.
For next 7 months out of 8 that left to the special jubilee edition of KFF, in 5 cinemas of Małopolska Voivodship the screenings of remarkable for our festival films will take place. The films are selected according to the subject, authors or country of origin. Not necessarily it will be festival winners, but films which were awaited, applauded or controversial, surprising for the jury and the public.
We have the big opening – first part of the cycle is entitled: ‘Krakow scandals”. Krzysztof Gierat, festival director said: “ There is no festival without scandal, and those concerning artistic values are even more appreciated. In October we are recalling the titles, which divided many and discussions about films last even until today. The authors: Ewa Borzęcka, Daniel Mulloy, Marek Piwowski or Marcin Koszałka are successful filmmakers and still provoke.”
Part “Krakow scandals” consists of:
ARIZONA, dir. Ewa Borzęcka, Poland 1997, 46’ – Golden Hobby-Horse in 1998.
Documentary. The brilliant story about cheap wine called ‘Arizona’ and its fans. The verdict of the jury chaired by Jerzy Kluba brought quarrels about documentary filmmaker’s ethic. The accusations that the director made her protagonists drunk for better screen effect were raised. The lasts films of Borzęcka rather confirm her extraordinary ability to communicate with the characters.
KROK, dir. Marek Piwowski, Poland 1997, 27’ – Bronze Dragon in 1998.
Fiction. Jury with Marcel Łoziński as a chairman has shown real sense of humor awarding Marek Piwowski’s provocation. The director with his picture made a comment about Poland accessing NATO. How our army should enter the organization? Well, naked…
TATO (Dad), dir. Daniel Mulloy, UK, 2006, 7’ – Golden Dragon in 2007
Fiction. By awarding this film Andrzej Żuławski exposed himself for accusations of promoting the pornography, what is more – geriatric one. Indeed, this miniature work of art is full of explicit sex scenes with the participation of the old people, but at the same time it is also nearly biblical, painful story about father and son.
TAKIEGO PIĘKNEGO SYNA URODZIŁAM, dir. Marcin Koszałka, Poland 1999, 25’ – Honorary Diploma in 2000.
Documentary. The biggest scandal of Krakow Film Festival ever. Jury of the international competition chaired by Marta Meszaros was brave enough to notice the film shocking by its cruelity in portraying family members. Koszałka’s debut is the vision of family hell, that scares and makes laugh at the same time. The director, called by his mother in this film “dumb” and “bastard”, has became the face of Krakow Film Festival, winning as a documentary filmmaker and cinematographer many prizes in Poland and aborad.
Jubilee cycle of 50th KFF – part I: „Krakow scandals” – the schedule of screenings: