In the picturesque setting of the Masurian region a folk artist, a social worker, a postman, a priest, an altar boy and a TV crew suddenly disappear only to reappear again out of nowhere. Like in the best of suspense films, the plot thickens, the tension grows and step by step a dark mystery unravels... The focus is set to the Makarewicz family whose four children and father-in-law have early stages of senile dementia. While the police are short on evidence, the disappearances and reappearances seem to be boosting their work statistics.
While The Lullaby represents the vampire movie genre, its sharp sense of humour, a trade mark of the director add poise to the action filled plot. Michał Lorenc's score, adds rhythm to the film. Machulski's style is also characterised by subtle commentary on the current social context in Poland.
Awards:
Best Director Award for The Lullaby at the first International Film Festival in Odessa, 2010
- The Lullaby / Kołysanka, Poland 2010. Directed by Juliusz Machulski; written by Adam Dobrzycki (screenplay adaptation by Juliusz Machulski); photography by Arkadiusz Tomiak; music by Michał Lorenc; art manager: Wojciech Żogała; costume manager: Ewa Machulska; editor: Jarosław Pietraszek; sound manager: Marek Wronko. Starring Robert Więckiewicz (Michał Makarewicz), Małgorzata Buczkowska (his wife, Bożena), Janusz Chabior (grandfather), Krzysztof Kiersznowski (Roman), Ewa Ziętek (Katarzyna), Michał Zieliński (priest), Antoni Pawlicki (altar boy), Jacek Koman (postman), Krzysztof Stelmaszyk (policeman), Ilona Ostrowska (television reporter). Produced by Studio Filmowe Zebra - Monolith Films - Non-stop Service - OTO Studio Produkcyjne; co-financed by the Polish Film Institute; distribution: Monolith Films. Duration: 95 min. Released on 12th February 2010.
Author: Konrad J. Zarębski, February 2010, edited by Marta Jazowska October 2012