"STARTING POINT" WINS AT SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST

Punkt wyjścia (Starting Point), a film directed by Michał Szcześniak, received the Short Doc Award in the short documentary competition at the 2015 Sheffield Doc/Fest. The film was produced within the framework of the ‘First Documentary’ programme of the Polish Filmmakers Association’s Munk Studio.

“Deep Respect for Its Subject Matter”

The festival jury recognized Michał Szcześniak’s documentary for its intimate way of shooting, engaging ‘unravelling’ of the story, and deep respect for its subject matter. After receiving news of the win, the director thanked his crew: “It was an honour to gain the trust of Jacek Bławut, Przemek Niczyporuk, the Munk Studio Programming Council, Jacek Tarasiuk, Daniel Gąsiorowski and Bogna Janiec. But most of all, I would like to thank Aneta, whose courage allowed us to make this very honest film.” The director also mentioned the other protagonist of Punkt wyjścia (Starting Point): “I would also like to thank Helena, who made us all smile all the time. Both of these women are truly incredible — our audiences already know that.”

Aneta’s Story

Punkt wyjścia (Starting Point) tells the story of Aneta, who rebelled at the age of 19, landing in prison for murder. Nine years later, she is permitted to leave the prison daily to take care of the elderly Helena, a resident at a local nursing home. In Helena’s eyes, Aneta has everything going for her, so she keeps questioning the girl about her life. Aneta will soon have to face a serious test, in which she will be aided by Helena.

The film was lensed by Przemysław Niczyporuk. Punkt wyjścia (Starting Point) was co-produced by Studio Filmowe N. This Munk Studio production has received a number of awards internationally. In June 2014, the film won the Amber Award for Best Short Documentary at the 33rd ‘Young and Cinema’ Film Festival in Koszalin, then went on to receive acclaim at ‘Kameralne Lato,’ ‘Opolskie Lamy,’ the ‘NURT’ Documentary Festival, “Documenta Madrid,” and the International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival in Kiev. At last year’s edition of the Camerimage film festival, Punkt wyjścia (Starting Point) received the Golden Frog Award in the Short Documentary Film Competition.

Other Films at the 2015 Sheffield Doc/Fest

Punkt wyjścia (Starting Point) was one of three Polish productions competing for awards at this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest. The other two films screening in competition were Paulina Skibińska’s Obiekt (The Object), also produced by Munk Studio, and Teresa Czepiec’s Superjednostka (Super Unit), produced by Wajda Studio.

based on the press release