Putin's Playground
Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Norway, Latvia, Germany2024documentary91'Konkurs polski (2024)
Russia has been trying to rebuild its empire for years. The doctrine of hybrid war introduced by Putin in 2013 assumes attacking Western countries without declaring war. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine deprived us of our sense of security. A couple of documentary filmmakers from Poland embark on a journey to look for answers about threats for Central and Eastern Europe. They track down GRU agents blowing up ammunition depots and poisoning Moscow's opponents with novichok. They meet two presidents, a prime minister, a defence minister, a captured Russian spy and several agents of influence.
- directed by
- Konrad Szołajski
Director, screenwriter, film producer, university lecturer. He graduated in film directing from Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School in Katowice. He also studied at National Film and Television School (NFTS) in England and upon returning, he focused on feature films. In 2005, he founded ZK Studio, producing documentary films in collaboration with television broadcasters from across Europe. With humor, often satirically, he depicts changes in social norms and national complexes. In his etude (under the supervision of K. Kieślowski) "Dziennikarze '82" he filmed behind the scenes of the TVP news program during martial law; in "The Battle With Satan" he depicted violence used by priests against exorcised teenagers. After 2015, he made films about the political situation during the rule of PiS.
- cinematography
- Michał Ślusarczyk
- script
- Konrad Szołajski
- music
- Rihards Zalupe
- sound
- Michal Gábor, Richard Müller
- editing
- Bartosz Jędrzejczyk, Paweł Kowalik
- production
- Małgorzata Prociak, Konrad Szołajski (ZK Studio Sp. z o. o.)
- Photo
