"Papusza" Awarded in Thessaloniki

Papusza, a film directed by Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzysztof Krauze and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, received the Audience Award at the 54th Thessaloniki International Festival.

Audience Award

The winner of this year’s Audience Award was Papusza, which screened in the out-of-competition Open Horizons section of the festival, dedicated to showcasing the latest trends in world cinema. This marks yet another international win for Papusza, the latest film by directors Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzysztof Krauze, following awards in Valladolid, Macedonia, and Karlovy Vary.

“Papusza”

Based on a true story, Papusza focuses on the tragic fate of the first Gypsy poet to ever write down her poems; the first to be translated into Polish and have her works officially published. This was the result of the efforts of two men: Jerzy Ficowski, poet and historian focusing on the life of the Romani community in Poland, and Julian Tuwim. Papusza was written and directed by Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzysztof Krauze, authors of such acclaimed films as Plac Zbawiciela (Saviour’s Square) and Mój Nikifor (My Nikifor). The lead role was played by Jowita Budnik, with Zbigniew Waleryś and Antoni Pawlicki as her two male counterparts.

A Film Supported by the Polish Film Institute

Papusza was produced by Argomedia, co-produced by Canal+, Telewizja Polska, Studio Filmowe Kadr, and the Krakow Festival Office. The film was lensed by Krzysztof Ptak and Wojciech Staroń, with original score composed by Jan Kanty Pawluśkiewicz. Papusza was also co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.