"Ida": Excellent Reception in France

Ida, Fot. Solopan

Ida, a film directed by Paweł Pawlikowski and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute was released theatrically in France on February 12, 2014. The third week of release marked over 288 thousand admissions in French cinemas. Ida also received rave reviews from French film critics.

Over 288 Thousand Admissions

Paweł Pawlikowski’s Ida was released theatrically in France on February 12, 2014, showing on 88 screens. Distribution in France is handled by Memento Films Distribution. The third week of the film’s release marked over 288 thousand admissions, more than in Poland since Ida’s release four months ago. “Maybe it’s because French audiences saw this film not as a subject of debate, a boring artistic take on a crucial matter, but simply as a cinematic work,” said director Paweł Pawlikowski, commenting on the film’s French success.

Excellent Reviews

Ida has also enjoyed very favourable reviews from French film critics.

“An aesthetic gem of hidden emotions that fill us with an overpowering melancholy. One of the greatest films of the year,” wrote Frédéric Mignard in a review of Ida for “A voir à lire.” According to Pierre Murat of “Télérama,” Ida is “a superb black&white meditation on the role of the absolute in our lives. Surprisingly raw and graceful.”

In a review for “Version Femina,” Valérie Robert writes: “this beautiful black&white film is out of this world; a wonderful surprise. A poignant story of two women played by two magnificent actresses (Agata Trzebuchowska and Agata Kulesza). A must-see.” Bruno Icher of “Libération” describes Ida as “a beautiful film, probably the only example of such raw aesthetics.” “How long has it been since we last saw such a beautiful Polish film? Undoubtedly not since the works of Kieślowski,” writes François-Guillaume Lorrain for Le Point.

French critics also praised cinematography by Łukasz Żal and Ryszard Lenczewski. “With a fixed camera, subtle editing work, and edge-framed characters that appear to buckle under the weight of their destiny, Paweł Pawlikowski has made a very spiritual work,” writes Michèle Levieux for “L’Humanité.”

In “Journal du dimanche,” Alexis Campion writes that Paweł Pawlikowski’s feature “in its strong and excellent aesthetics, might be reminiscent of the works of Bruno Dumont.” Campion states that “Agata Kulesza is magnificent ad Wanda, while Agata Trzebuchowska is a rising star, a first-time actress whose pure face and mysterious look, a collection of a thousand projections, is enthralling.” “The mysterious Agata Trzebuchowska makes this gorgeous Bresson-esque portrait is more than fascinating,” writes Sophie Grassin in her review for “Nouvel Observateur.”

Ida Released in Other Countries

World sales are handled by Fandango Portobello. To date, Ida has been sold to over 30 countries across the world. The film was released theatrically in Poland on October 25, 2013, followed by a release in France and Belgium on February 12. Upcoming national premieres include Italy (March 13) and Spain (March 28). The film will also be released theatrically in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Greece, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Hungary, and Cyprus.

Excerpts from French reviews are available at: www.premiere.fr.

Paulina Bez

Translated by Karolina Kołtun