Poland at Cannes Festival
The Polish cinematography stand turned out to be a big hit this year at the Cannes Film Market (Marché du Film). There were also screenings of Polish films and meetings with producers, while the Polish Film Institute (PISF) represented Polish cinematography at the most important film festival in the world.
A ceremonial premiere of the latest film by Lars von Trier, Antichrist, which was co-financed by PISF, was held on 18 May. Agnieszka Odorowicz, General Director of PISF, Małgorzata Szumowska, the co-producer, and many other Polish filmmakers took part in the gala event.
The Polish stand was organised by PISF together with the Polish Filmmakers Association and 11 production and distribution companies.
On 16 May a meeting was held with foreign producers about co-production possibilities with the Polish film industry.
The following day, well-known cinematographer Sławomir Idziak presented his latest project, Film Spring Open, for young filmmakers. On 20 May, the partners in the Polish stand – ATM Grupa, Banana Split, Bow and Axe Entertainment, The Chimney Pot, Fabryka Spółka Realizatorów Filmowych, Film Media, Opus Film, Salans, SPI International Polans, Syrena Films, and Vision Film Sp. z o.o. S.K. – had an opportunity to present their companies.
In line with tradition, PISF and the Polish Filmmakers Association invited festival guests to the Polish Party, an event promoting the domestic film industry. Among the over 400 guests were Jerzy Skolimowski, Krzysztof Krauze, Małgorzata Szumowska, Andrzej Jakimowski, Sławomir Idziak, and Borys Szyc.
Other film dignitaries included Aviva Sterling, Director of the European Union’s MEDIA programme; Roberto Olla, General Secretary of EURIMAGES; Jerome Paillard, Director of Marché du Film; Marion Doring, Director of the European Film Academy; and representatives of important international film festivals such as Locarno, Pusan, Berlin, Karlovy Vary, Rome, and Moscow. Producers, distributors and filmmakers attended the reception as well, including Hollywood director Renny Harlin, along with journalists from “Hollywood Reporter”, “Screen International”, and “Variety”.
In the Cinefoundation sector, Poland is represented by the French-Polish film Małżonkowie by Dar van Dussen. In the L’ACID section (L’Association du Cinema Independant pour sa Diffusion), the film Bad Boys Cellule 425 by Janusz Mrozowski was shown.
In the market programme of short films, the Short Film Corner, Polish products included the “30 minutes” programme, coordinated by the Polish Filmmakers Association and co-financed by PISF. There are also screenings of Luksus by Jarosław Sztandera, Echo by Magnus von Horn, Grabarze by Bartek Cierlica, Moja nowa droga by Barbara Białowąs, Co mówią lekarze by Michał Wnuk, Obcy VI by Borys Lankosz, Wszystkie małe kłamstwa Anny by Krzysztof Bizio, Na kredyt by Przemysław Nowakowski, and Incydent by Jan Kwieciński.
Films set for promotion include Sweet Rush (Tatarak) by Andrzej Wajda, My Flesh, My Blood (Moja krew) by Marcin Wrona, Before the Twilight (Jeszcze nie wieczór) by Jacek Bławut, Handlarz cudów by Bolesław Pawica and Jarosław Szoda, and Bad Boys Cellule 425 by Janusz Mrozowski.
Director-producer Andrzej Jakimowski took part in the European Film Production programme “Producers on the Move,” addressed to young producers. The project was launched to promote European producers and create a network of mutual cooperation.
The 62nd Cannes International Film Festival will last until 24 May.
Translated by Monika Miziniak | Edited by Patricia Koza