Polish films at Toronto International Film Festival 2022
Co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, Jerzy Skolimowski’s IO and Makbul Mubarak’s Autobiography will be screened at the Contemporary World Cinema section of the Toronto International Film Festival. In turn, as part of Industry Selects, there will be a screening of Kasia Rosłaniec’s image – „Salt Lake” and it will be its world premiere. The festival will be held on September 8-18 this year.
„IO”
This Polish-Italian co-production tells the story of a simple donkey in an increasingly complex reality. Passed from hand to hand, the animal meets both good and bad people on its way. The story is a cinematic allegory, and the title of the film alludes to the sound that donkeys make.
Ewa Piaskowska is the co-author of the script, along with Jerzy Skolimowski. The authors of the photos are: Michał Dymek, Michał Englert and Paweł Edelman, Tomasz Morawski is the production manager, and Agnieszka Glińska is responsible for the editing. The cast of the film includes, among others Lorenzo Zurzolo, Sandra Drzymalska, Mateusz Kościukiewicz and Tomasz Organek.
The screeinings will take place:
– September 12 at 12:15 pm (ticket holders only), TBLB6
– September 12 at 9.00 (for the press and people with industry accreditation), Lightbox 2
– September 13th at 4.30pm, Scotiabank Theater Toronto
– September 14 at 8.30pm, Scotiabank Theater Toronto
„Autobiography”
It is a co-production of seven countries, including Poland, about 18-year-old servant Rakiba, who works in a residence for an Indonesian retired military man, Purna. His employer, after years of cooperation with the bloody regime, returns to his hometown and runs in the local elections for mayor. When his election poster is destroyed by unknown perpetrators, Rakib decides to track down the culprit. From now on, it is impossible to stop the avalanche of tragic events. Rakib fails to escape abroad, and Purna’s ruthlessness becomes unbearable.
The director and author of the script for “Autobiography” is Makbul Mubarak, cinematography – Wojciech Staroń, and the camera operator – Kacper Gawron. Dominik Szczerbowicz was responsible for lighting, and Piotr Kostarczyk was responsible for focusing. The Polish producer is Małgorzata Staroń, and international sales are handled by Alpha Violet.
The screenings will take place:
– September 8 at 9.45pm (press and industry accredited people), Scotiabank Theater Toronto
– September 12 at 9.30 pm, Scotiabank Theater Toronto
– September 14 at 17.30, Scotiabank Theater Toronto
– September 18 at 10.00am, Scotiabank Theater Toronto
„Salt Lake”
This is the story of a 64-year-old Helena, who throughout her life was faithful to her husband, loved him, trusted him and was to persevere in the marriage vow until her death. Paweł provided her with erotic fulfillment and financial security. They have three beautiful children. So why does Helena want to betray him now? To break free from his domination? Or maybe he wants to taste another man just like others want to try drugs? When Paweł cheats on her and a career in modeling looms on the horizon, Helena takes control of her life for the first time.
„Salt Lake” is the fourth feature film by screenwriter and director Kasia Rosłaniec. The main roles are played by: Katarzyna Butowtt and Krzysztof Stelmaszyk, as well as Dorota Kolak, Judyta Paradzińska, Jacek Poniedziałek, Adam Ferency and Dagmara Krasowska. The cinematographer is Virginie Surdej SBC, and the music was written and arranged by Cezary Duchnowski. The film was produced by Mañana in co-production with Swedish Common Ground Pictures, and will hit theaters in Poland in the spring of 2023.
Market Screening (TBLB6) will take place on September 8 at 6:15 PM (ticket holders only) and Industry Selects (SBT13) on September 12 at 12:15 PM (for industry accredited people).