Andrzej Seweryn wins Best Actor Award at 69th Locarno IFF
Andrzej Seweryn received the Best Actor Award at the 69th Locarno IFF for his performance as Zdzisław Beksiński in Ostatnia Rodzina (The Last Family), a film by Jan P. Matuszyński.
The film’s Polish premiere is set to take place at the 41st Gdynia Film Festival. Ostatnia Rodzina (The Last Family) will be released theatrically in Poland on September 30.
17 films screening in Main Competition at the 69th Locarno IFF were judged by jury members Arturo Ripstein, Kate Moran, Rafi Pitts, Rodrigo Teixeira, and Wang Bing.
“Many people contribute to the creation of this role”
In an interview for the Polish Film Institute, Andrzej Seweryn described his work on Ostatnia Rodzina (The Last Family) as follows:
“When I first Beksiński’s paintings in the 1960s and 70s, I was very impressed. Having now revisited them years later (as originals and reproductions), when I entered that world, I was reminded of those years. And I am very glad that we will, in a sense, be showing these incredible artworks. I have a script written by Mr. Bolesto, which is a fantastic script. I have an excellent director — Janek Matuszyński. I have cinematographer Kacper Fertacz. And I have my excellent acting partners Aleksandra Konieczna and Dawid Ogrodnik. All these elements, and I do apologise for using the word ‘element’ with regard to people, create the role. My knowledge of Beksiński supplements that, often being the determining factor but not always. All I want to say is that many people contribute to the creation of this role.”
One of Poland’s most recognised and acclaimed actors
Andrzej Seweryn is one of Poland’s most recognised and acclaimed actors, with a career of over 45 years in both film and theatre. He has played in over 40 films and has worked with such directors as Andrzej Wajda, Andrzej Żuławski, Régis Wargnier, Steven Spielberg, and Agnieszka Holland. Andrzej Seweryn is also a director and lecturer. He has taught at Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Techniques du Théâtre in Lyon and later at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique in Paris until 2010.
In 1993, Andrzej Seweryn became the third foreigner in the history of French theatre to be hired by Comédie Française, one of the world’s most prestigious theatre companies. Winner of multiple awards, including the Silver Bear for his performance as Adam in Dyrygent (The Orchestra Conductor) at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Order of Fine Arts and Humanities of the French Republic. In 1997, Seweryn received the Chevalier’s Order of the Republic of Poland, followed by the Gloria Artis Gold Medal, the award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, and the Legion of Honour of the French Republic in 2006.
Andrzej Seweryn has been director of Teatr Polski in Warsaw since January 1, 2011. In April 2016, he celebrated his 70th birthday.
Ostatnia Rodzina soon in theaters
Ostatnia Rodzina (The Last Family) by Jan P. Matuszyński is the story of the Beksiński family. The story begins n 1977, when Tomek Beksiński moves out of the family home into his own flat. His parents live next door, in the same area, which is why they remain close. Tomek’s oversensitive personality results in his mother Zofia constantly worrying about him. At the same time his father Zdzisław Beksiński tries to dedicate himself to his art. After Tomek’s first suicide attempt, Zdzisław and Zofia must fight not only for their son, but also to regain control over their lives. When Zdzisław signs a contract with Piotr Dmochowski, an arts dealer based in France, and Tomek starts a job at the Polish Radio, it seems that the worst is behind them. But the series of strange and fateful events is just beginning.
Ostatnia Rodzina (The Last Family) was written by Robert Bolesto, with cinematography by Kacper Fertacz. The film stars Andrzej Seweryn as Zdzisław Beksiński, Dawid Ogrodnik as Tomasz Beksiński, and Aleksandra Konieczna as Zofia Beksińska. Ostatnia Rodzina (The Last Family) was produced by Aurum Film, co-produced by HBO Polska, Lightcraft and the Mazovia Film Fund, and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The film’s Polish premiere is set for September 30, with distribution handled by Kino Świat.
Translated by Karolina Kołtun