Still from Maciej Adamek's "The Photograph"
The disintegration of a family, lying parents, the joys and troubles of teenage life, a developing passion for filming, and an old photograph that begins a journey. The Photograph is the story of a 17 year old’s quest for his identity
Competing in the First Film World Competition at the 36th World Film Festival in Montreal, Maciej Adamek’s debut feature receives the Silver Zenith Award. The Photograph is a Polish, German and Hungarian co-production co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. A story about "first love, betrayal, and facing death," featuring a performance by actor Andrzej Chyra, the film’s presentation in Montreal marks its international premiere. The script for The Photograph won the 2006 Polish edition of the Script Pro competition and ranked third in the world finale of the competition.
In addition to Maciej Adamek's work, the festival lineup included Marcin Krzyształowicz’ psychological tale of an expert executioner struggling with Germans and Polish traitors, and his own past during World War II - Manhunt / Obława and Tushar Prakash’s student film Jestem OK / I’m OK – a motion picture about a schoolteacher and his challenge to embrace his own sexuality.
Seeking to encourage cultural diversity and promote first-time filmmakers and innovative works, the 36th edition of the World Film Festival in Montreal hosts 430 films form 80 countries. Peruvian director Joanna Lombardi’s debut Casadentro won best film in the First Films World Competition while the Bronze Zenith award went to Thomas Wangsmo’s Norwegian production Into the Dark.
Sources: culture.pl, PISF, Montreal World Film Festival, Warsaw Film Festival
Author: Marta Jazowska