A hard-rocking Polish builder is injured while working on a towering statue of Christ in Małgorzata Szumowska’s scabrous and strangely affecting drama
Małgorzata Szumowska’s Twarz (Polish for “face” or “mug”, the latter of which is the film’s English title) delivers the pleasure of vigorous storytelling. It is scabrous, mysterious and surprisingly emotional – inspired partly by the giant statue of Christ the King in Świebodzin in western Poland, completed in 2010, the tallest statue of Jesus in the world and a fierce religious and nationalist symbol. It is the face of patriotic Poland, and this is a film to put you in mind of Eliot’s lines about preparing a face to meet the faces that you meet.
Szumowska’s movie imagines a guy named Jacek (Mateusz Kosciukiewicz), employed as a builder on a giant statue like this as it begins to loom surreally over the landscape. He is an amiably scruffy,...
Małgorzata Szumowska’s Twarz (Polish for “face” or “mug”, the latter of which is the film’s English title) delivers the pleasure of vigorous storytelling. It is scabrous, mysterious and surprisingly emotional – inspired partly by the giant statue of Christ the King in Świebodzin in western Poland, completed in 2010, the tallest statue of Jesus in the world and a fierce religious and nationalist symbol. It is the face of patriotic Poland, and this is a film to put you in mind of Eliot’s lines about preparing a face to meet the faces that you meet.
Szumowska’s movie imagines a guy named Jacek (Mateusz Kosciukiewicz), employed as a builder on a giant statue like this as it begins to loom surreally over the landscape. He is an amiably scruffy,...
- 2/23/2018
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The Berlinale has revealed the first films within its Competition and Berlinale Special lineups.
Source: Amazon
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot
The Berlin Film Festival (15 - 25 Feb) has revealed the first films within its Competition and Berlinale Special lineups.
Directors including Benoit Jacquot, Gus Van Sant, Alexey German Jr., Małgorzata Szumowska, Philip Gröning, Thomas Stuber and Laura Bispuri will compete in this year’s Competition while Isabel Coixet and Lars Kraume feature in the Berlinale Special strand.
Alongside the previously announced opening film, Isle of Dogs by Wes Anderson, seven productions and co-productions from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Serbia, the Russian Federation, and the USA are announced for the Competition.
Gus Van Sant’s drama Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far, which will debut at Sundance, is the only film announced today which is not a world premiere. Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill,...
Source: Amazon
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot
The Berlin Film Festival (15 - 25 Feb) has revealed the first films within its Competition and Berlinale Special lineups.
Directors including Benoit Jacquot, Gus Van Sant, Alexey German Jr., Małgorzata Szumowska, Philip Gröning, Thomas Stuber and Laura Bispuri will compete in this year’s Competition while Isabel Coixet and Lars Kraume feature in the Berlinale Special strand.
Alongside the previously announced opening film, Isle of Dogs by Wes Anderson, seven productions and co-productions from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Serbia, the Russian Federation, and the USA are announced for the Competition.
Gus Van Sant’s drama Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far, which will debut at Sundance, is the only film announced today which is not a world premiere. Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill,...
- 12/18/2017
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Screen Daily Test
The Berlinale has revealed the first films within its Competition and Berlinale Special lineups.
Source: Amazon
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot
The Berlin Film Festival (15 - 25 Feb) has revealed the first films within its Competition and Berlinale Special lineups.
Directors including Benoit Jacquot, Gus Van Sant, Alexey German Jr., Małgorzata Szumowska, Philip Gröning, Thomas Stuber and Laura Bispuri will compete in this year’s Competition while Isabel Coixet and Lars Kraume feature in the Berlinale Special strand.
Alongside the previously announced opening film, Isle of Dogs by Wes Anderson, seven productions and co-productions from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Serbia, the Russian Federation, and the USA are announced for the Competition.
Gus Van Sant’s drama Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far, which will debut at Sundance, is the only film announced today which is not a world premiere. Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara and [link...
Source: Amazon
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot
The Berlin Film Festival (15 - 25 Feb) has revealed the first films within its Competition and Berlinale Special lineups.
Directors including Benoit Jacquot, Gus Van Sant, Alexey German Jr., Małgorzata Szumowska, Philip Gröning, Thomas Stuber and Laura Bispuri will compete in this year’s Competition while Isabel Coixet and Lars Kraume feature in the Berlinale Special strand.
Alongside the previously announced opening film, Isle of Dogs by Wes Anderson, seven productions and co-productions from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Serbia, the Russian Federation, and the USA are announced for the Competition.
Gus Van Sant’s drama Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far, which will debut at Sundance, is the only film announced today which is not a world premiere. Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara and [link...
- 12/18/2017
- by Andreas Wiseman
- ScreenDaily
Chicago International Film Festival
CHICAGO -- "My Nikifor", which won the Gold Hugo for best film at the recent Chicago International Film Festival, is the kind of movie they don't make anymore. With a grainy look and the spare solemnity of natural sounds, this Polish film unspools as if it were unearthed from the dungeons of the Krakow archives.
Shot primarily in black and white with an 87-year-old Polish actress (Krystyna Feldman) playing the lead character (a troll-like male), this simple-styled film brims with hard spirits. Its recent wins at Chicago, including a best actor honor for Roman Gancarczyk as the Salieri-like artist Marian, and its Grand Prix triumph at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival could spur cable interest. Still, its most hospitable domestic venue would be at film festivals with serious international offerings.
In this Krzysztof Krauze film, the bleak communist sky of Poland clashes with the colorful brimming sketches of one tiny, disheveled man who calls himself Nikifor (Feldman). On a grim winter day, Nikifor trudges into the state-sponsored art office in a rural Polish burg and makes himself at home. Meaning, he starts drawing and sketching. The artist/bureaucrat who toils there (Gancarczyk) is unnerved by this rude and unsanitary little man: Nikifor is selfish, noncommunicative and crude, insulting Marian's work as "no good." Most alarmingly, Nikifor suffers from tuberculosis and refuses hospital care. Yet, Marian clearly sees that Nikifor's childlike etchings, with their skewed proportions and outlandish colors, are resplendently vital, truly "folk" art and far superior to the state-sponsored, cultural trash he is exhibiting at the latest Communist Arts Fest.
Focusing on Marian, who struggles to preserve and nourish Nikifor's talents, "My Nikifor" is a study in compassion and artistic compulsion. Essentially, it's the story of great sacrifice: Marian channels his own artistic ambitions through Nikifor. Despite that altruistic sacrifice, we see in Marian a man possessed of self-destructive, artistic energy. Nikifor's work becomes Marian's vessel of expression, not his own sorry paintings.
Invigorated by Feldman's inspired, modest depiction of the wretchedly inspired Nikifor, the narrative bustles with harsh, personal cross currents. Gancarczyk's deferential portrayal of the artist who risks his own personal and professional life by his sacrifice is powerfully understated.
Wondrously earthy, there are some are vibrant dollops of brash humor, particularly when Nikifor attends a state function in his honor, baffled by the fact that the communist cultural elite wants their pictures taken with him.
Utilizing only the basic hues and eschewing technical gloss, Krauze has crafted a plain gem. Technical credits throughout serve the spare, spectacular story.
My Nikifor
Studio Filmowe Zebra, TVP SA, Canal+
Credits:
Director: Krzysztof Krauze
Screenwriters: Joanna Kos, Krzysztof Krauze
Producer: Juliusz Machulski: Executive producers: Wojciech Danowski, Jacek Moczydlowski
Director of photography: Krzysztof Ptak
Production designer: Magdalena Dipont
Costume designer: Dorota Roqueplo
Music: Bartlomiej Gliniak
Editor: Krzysztof Szpetmanski
Cast:
Nikifor: Krystyna Feldman
Marian Wlosinki: Roman Gancarczyk
Hanka: Lucyna Malec
Nowak: Jerzy Gudejko
Dr. Rosen: Artur Steranko
Kowalska: Jowita Miondlikowska
Budnik: Marian Dziedziel
Director of Zacheta: Ewa Wencel
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 100 minutes...
CHICAGO -- "My Nikifor", which won the Gold Hugo for best film at the recent Chicago International Film Festival, is the kind of movie they don't make anymore. With a grainy look and the spare solemnity of natural sounds, this Polish film unspools as if it were unearthed from the dungeons of the Krakow archives.
Shot primarily in black and white with an 87-year-old Polish actress (Krystyna Feldman) playing the lead character (a troll-like male), this simple-styled film brims with hard spirits. Its recent wins at Chicago, including a best actor honor for Roman Gancarczyk as the Salieri-like artist Marian, and its Grand Prix triumph at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival could spur cable interest. Still, its most hospitable domestic venue would be at film festivals with serious international offerings.
In this Krzysztof Krauze film, the bleak communist sky of Poland clashes with the colorful brimming sketches of one tiny, disheveled man who calls himself Nikifor (Feldman). On a grim winter day, Nikifor trudges into the state-sponsored art office in a rural Polish burg and makes himself at home. Meaning, he starts drawing and sketching. The artist/bureaucrat who toils there (Gancarczyk) is unnerved by this rude and unsanitary little man: Nikifor is selfish, noncommunicative and crude, insulting Marian's work as "no good." Most alarmingly, Nikifor suffers from tuberculosis and refuses hospital care. Yet, Marian clearly sees that Nikifor's childlike etchings, with their skewed proportions and outlandish colors, are resplendently vital, truly "folk" art and far superior to the state-sponsored, cultural trash he is exhibiting at the latest Communist Arts Fest.
Focusing on Marian, who struggles to preserve and nourish Nikifor's talents, "My Nikifor" is a study in compassion and artistic compulsion. Essentially, it's the story of great sacrifice: Marian channels his own artistic ambitions through Nikifor. Despite that altruistic sacrifice, we see in Marian a man possessed of self-destructive, artistic energy. Nikifor's work becomes Marian's vessel of expression, not his own sorry paintings.
Invigorated by Feldman's inspired, modest depiction of the wretchedly inspired Nikifor, the narrative bustles with harsh, personal cross currents. Gancarczyk's deferential portrayal of the artist who risks his own personal and professional life by his sacrifice is powerfully understated.
Wondrously earthy, there are some are vibrant dollops of brash humor, particularly when Nikifor attends a state function in his honor, baffled by the fact that the communist cultural elite wants their pictures taken with him.
Utilizing only the basic hues and eschewing technical gloss, Krauze has crafted a plain gem. Technical credits throughout serve the spare, spectacular story.
My Nikifor
Studio Filmowe Zebra, TVP SA, Canal+
Credits:
Director: Krzysztof Krauze
Screenwriters: Joanna Kos, Krzysztof Krauze
Producer: Juliusz Machulski: Executive producers: Wojciech Danowski, Jacek Moczydlowski
Director of photography: Krzysztof Ptak
Production designer: Magdalena Dipont
Costume designer: Dorota Roqueplo
Music: Bartlomiej Gliniak
Editor: Krzysztof Szpetmanski
Cast:
Nikifor: Krystyna Feldman
Marian Wlosinki: Roman Gancarczyk
Hanka: Lucyna Malec
Nowak: Jerzy Gudejko
Dr. Rosen: Artur Steranko
Kowalska: Jowita Miondlikowska
Budnik: Marian Dziedziel
Director of Zacheta: Ewa Wencel
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 100 minutes...
- 11/4/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago International Film Festival
CHICAGO -- "My Nikifor", which won the Gold Hugo for best film at the recent Chicago International Film Festival, is the kind of movie they don't make anymore. With a grainy look and the spare solemnity of natural sounds, this Polish film unspools as if it were unearthed from the dungeons of the Krakow archives.
Shot primarily in black and white with an 87-year-old Polish actress (Krystyna Feldman) playing the lead character (a troll-like male), this simple-styled film brims with hard spirits. Its recent wins at Chicago, including a best actor honor for Roman Gancarczyk as the Salieri-like artist Marian, and its Grand Prix triumph at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival could spur cable interest. Still, its most hospitable domestic venue would be at film festivals with serious international offerings.
In this Krzysztof Krauze film, the bleak communist sky of Poland clashes with the colorful brimming sketches of one tiny, disheveled man who calls himself Nikifor (Feldman). On a grim winter day, Nikifor trudges into the state-sponsored art office in a rural Polish burg and makes himself at home. Meaning, he starts drawing and sketching. The artist/bureaucrat who toils there (Gancarczyk) is unnerved by this rude and unsanitary little man: Nikifor is selfish, noncommunicative and crude, insulting Marian's work as "no good." Most alarmingly, Nikifor suffers from tuberculosis and refuses hospital care. Yet, Marian clearly sees that Nikifor's childlike etchings, with their skewed proportions and outlandish colors, are resplendently vital, truly "folk" art and far superior to the state-sponsored, cultural trash he is exhibiting at the latest Communist Arts Fest.
Focusing on Marian, who struggles to preserve and nourish Nikifor's talents, "My Nikifor" is a study in compassion and artistic compulsion. Essentially, it's the story of great sacrifice: Marian channels his own artistic ambitions through Nikifor. Despite that altruistic sacrifice, we see in Marian a man possessed of self-destructive, artistic energy. Nikifor's work becomes Marian's vessel of expression, not his own sorry paintings.
Invigorated by Feldman's inspired, modest depiction of the wretchedly inspired Nikifor, the narrative bustles with harsh, personal cross currents. Gancarczyk's deferential portrayal of the artist who risks his own personal and professional life by his sacrifice is powerfully understated.
Wondrously earthy, there are some are vibrant dollops of brash humor, particularly when Nikifor attends a state function in his honor, baffled by the fact that the communist cultural elite wants their pictures taken with him.
Utilizing only the basic hues and eschewing technical gloss, Krauze has crafted a plain gem. Technical credits throughout serve the spare, spectacular story.
My Nikifor
Studio Filmowe Zebra, TVP SA, Canal+
Credits:
Director: Krzysztof Krauze
Screenwriters: Joanna Kos, Krzysztof Krauze
Producer: Juliusz Machulski: Executive producers: Wojciech Danowski, Jacek Moczydlowski
Director of photography: Krzysztof Ptak
Production designer: Magdalena Dipont
Costume designer: Dorota Roqueplo
Music: Bartlomiej Gliniak
Editor: Krzysztof Szpetmanski
Cast:
Nikifor: Krystyna Feldman
Marian Wlosinki: Roman Gancarczyk
Hanka: Lucyna Malec
Nowak: Jerzy Gudejko
Dr. Rosen: Artur Steranko
Kowalska: Jowita Miondlikowska
Budnik: Marian Dziedziel
Director of Zacheta: Ewa Wencel
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 100 minutes...
CHICAGO -- "My Nikifor", which won the Gold Hugo for best film at the recent Chicago International Film Festival, is the kind of movie they don't make anymore. With a grainy look and the spare solemnity of natural sounds, this Polish film unspools as if it were unearthed from the dungeons of the Krakow archives.
Shot primarily in black and white with an 87-year-old Polish actress (Krystyna Feldman) playing the lead character (a troll-like male), this simple-styled film brims with hard spirits. Its recent wins at Chicago, including a best actor honor for Roman Gancarczyk as the Salieri-like artist Marian, and its Grand Prix triumph at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival could spur cable interest. Still, its most hospitable domestic venue would be at film festivals with serious international offerings.
In this Krzysztof Krauze film, the bleak communist sky of Poland clashes with the colorful brimming sketches of one tiny, disheveled man who calls himself Nikifor (Feldman). On a grim winter day, Nikifor trudges into the state-sponsored art office in a rural Polish burg and makes himself at home. Meaning, he starts drawing and sketching. The artist/bureaucrat who toils there (Gancarczyk) is unnerved by this rude and unsanitary little man: Nikifor is selfish, noncommunicative and crude, insulting Marian's work as "no good." Most alarmingly, Nikifor suffers from tuberculosis and refuses hospital care. Yet, Marian clearly sees that Nikifor's childlike etchings, with their skewed proportions and outlandish colors, are resplendently vital, truly "folk" art and far superior to the state-sponsored, cultural trash he is exhibiting at the latest Communist Arts Fest.
Focusing on Marian, who struggles to preserve and nourish Nikifor's talents, "My Nikifor" is a study in compassion and artistic compulsion. Essentially, it's the story of great sacrifice: Marian channels his own artistic ambitions through Nikifor. Despite that altruistic sacrifice, we see in Marian a man possessed of self-destructive, artistic energy. Nikifor's work becomes Marian's vessel of expression, not his own sorry paintings.
Invigorated by Feldman's inspired, modest depiction of the wretchedly inspired Nikifor, the narrative bustles with harsh, personal cross currents. Gancarczyk's deferential portrayal of the artist who risks his own personal and professional life by his sacrifice is powerfully understated.
Wondrously earthy, there are some are vibrant dollops of brash humor, particularly when Nikifor attends a state function in his honor, baffled by the fact that the communist cultural elite wants their pictures taken with him.
Utilizing only the basic hues and eschewing technical gloss, Krauze has crafted a plain gem. Technical credits throughout serve the spare, spectacular story.
My Nikifor
Studio Filmowe Zebra, TVP SA, Canal+
Credits:
Director: Krzysztof Krauze
Screenwriters: Joanna Kos, Krzysztof Krauze
Producer: Juliusz Machulski: Executive producers: Wojciech Danowski, Jacek Moczydlowski
Director of photography: Krzysztof Ptak
Production designer: Magdalena Dipont
Costume designer: Dorota Roqueplo
Music: Bartlomiej Gliniak
Editor: Krzysztof Szpetmanski
Cast:
Nikifor: Krystyna Feldman
Marian Wlosinki: Roman Gancarczyk
Hanka: Lucyna Malec
Nowak: Jerzy Gudejko
Dr. Rosen: Artur Steranko
Kowalska: Jowita Miondlikowska
Budnik: Marian Dziedziel
Director of Zacheta: Ewa Wencel
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 100 minutes...
- 11/1/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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