Still from Wojciech Słota and Marek Kłosowicz's "Art of Freedom"
From an ideal teenage life turning into an internet driven illusion, a television host whose McGyveresque abilties helps children overlook empty toy store shelves to stories of the eye-witnesses of the liquidation of the Jewish ghettos, the Dalla Polonia section of the Isola Del Cinema festival presents a variety of Polish films
A look at the condition of modern man, Jan Komosa’s Suicide Room tells the story of a teenage boy with the perfect 21st century life who is lured into a shady online community. It is a place where people, hidden behind avatars, discuss their willingness and readiness to commit suicide. Dragged in to the virtual reality by his fascination for the leader of the so-called Suicide Room, Dominik refuses to exit his room for 10 consecutive days. Engrossed in their own affairs, the teen's parents are not aware of the dangers surrounding him and believe that a few pills should do the job. Komosa’a film openes the Isola del Cinema’s Panorama Special section.
Defeating all odds to join the ranks of the world’s best, the Polish Himalayists in Wojciech Słota’s and Marek 's Art of Freedom conquer the Himalayas 8,000-meter peaks and set themselves apart with an original style of climbing. Art of Freedom sheds light on the brutal sport of climbing and is an attempt at understanding the unrelenting spirit of underfunded and underequipped climbers from a crisis-ridden country who overcome all obstacles to fulfill their dreams. The film is part of the Guide to the Poles series which captures the undaunted spirit of a nation under foreign rule. The Festival also screens another film from the series: Andrzej Wolski’s Toys.
Paweł Sala’s 2002 documentary The Extras was shot on the set of Roman Polański’s The Pianiast. It is a recording of the memories of the people who half a century ago witnessed the liquidation of the Jewish ghettos and appeared on the set of The Pianist as extras. The Italian festival finally presents the most interesting animations from the animation workshop of Profesor Jerzy Kucia from the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts.
Isola Del Cinema runs from June to September presenting the best Italian films and promoting young Italian talents. It takes place on the Roman Tiberina Island and features Polish cinema for the second time in a row.
Festival website: Isola des Cinema
Sources: culture.pl
Editor: Marta Jazowska