Jerzy Hoffman’s Oscar-nominated 1974 epic Deluge (Potop) has been recently restored and reconstructed. A new, shortened version of the film, “Deluge Redivivus”, has been created. Based on Nobel prizewinner Henryk Sienkiewicz’s 1886 novel, the film takes place during the 17th century Swedish invasion of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It focuses on the transformation of the main protagonist, a nobleman soldier Andrzej Kmicic, from a fun-loving, irresponsible young man into a national hero. This is one of the greatest post-medieval war films, full of action and humor, with amazing costumes and battle scenes, sieges, duels, stunning location scenery, love and romance, intrigue and betrayal.

Illumination, Zanussi’s groundbreaking film, chronicles a decade in the life of an aspiring young scientist, Franciszek, who wishes to study physics in order to “know things for sure – unequivocally”. However, his logical and analytical approach to life is tested through experiencing love, betrayal, loss, and facing his own mortality. “Illumination” is an exploration of truth, knowledge, and the elusive nature of happiness.  It became an iconic cultural marker for a whole generation and a winner of the 1973 Locarno Film Festival’s top three prizes.

Warsaw 44, one of the biggest and most eagerly awaited Polish movie productions in recent years, is set during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, the largest single military effort taken by any European resistance movement during World War II. The film is a riveting historical spectacle, full of emotion and brilliantly staged combat scenes alike, and absolutely deprived of any pathos. 18-year old Stefan joins his friends to fight the Germans. The first days of the uprising are joyous, the enemy retreats. But soon the German army enters Warsaw and the uprising is doomed. The movie’s main characters witness sacrifice and heroism, but also cruelty, betrayal and murder. They learn about love and discover what hate feels like.

Following the screening: a question-and-answer session with Jan Komasa.

A touching story about the strength of family ties in a situation of imminent danger. Marta is a renowned actress, a star of popular series. In spite of her fame and money she still can’t find her way in life. In contrast to her strong and dominating elder sister, Kasia is sensitive and has a tendency towards exaltation. Her marriage is far from perfect, her husband is a loser constantly trying to find a job. There is no great love between the sisters but their mother’s sudden illness forces them to act together. They have to take care of their beloved but despotic father. The sisters become gradually closer to each other and regain their lost relationship, which gives rise to a series of tragicomic situations. The Audience and the Journalists’ Awards at the 2015 Gdynia Film Festival.  

The film receives its American premiere at Rochester Polish Film Festival.   Following the screening: a question-and-answer session with Kinga Dębska and Zbigniew Domagalski.

Bartek, once a popular actor, now an entertainer in a TV show, learns that he has an incurable disease. His doctor claims that he’s only got three months left. Bartek decides to make the most of this time, put his affairs in order, fix his life mistakes and make up with his beloved daughter. He believes that there is no situation without a way out and - surprising his family with his high spirits and sense of humour - he tries to change his fate and convince the Highest Screenwriter to give his story a happy ending. There’s not much time to set his life straight, but it might just work.

Riveting, fast paced, compelling and filled with humor Gods is the story of the cardiac surgeon, Zbigniew Religa, who in 1984 performed the first successful heart transplant in Poland. The young doctor intended to apply the latest world improvements in transplantology, but was blocked by the restrictions ruling the People’s Republic of Poland. Religa had to oppose his former mentors and fossilized bureaucratic and political structures, and to fight with the public superstitions, according to which the heart is seen as a relic, and not a “glorious pump.” Gods is a great film about ambition and willpower, but also about the price one has to pay for success.

Body, which received the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival and the Golden Lions at the 2015 Gdynia Film Festival, is an example of cinema that is bold, wise, and incredibly funny. It is the story of a cynical prosecutor (Janusz Gajos), his grown-up anorexic daughter, still grieving for her dead mother, and a therapist, who realized after her little son’s death that she possesses the power to communicate with the dead. These three characters play out a poignant tale about the confrontation of faith with skepticism, hope with despair, and love with hate.  Balanced neatly between ghost story and family drama, skepticism and belief, Body is an intriguing study of imperfect bodies in an imperfect world, and the tricks the mind plays to make things better.

In this powerful documentary we meet Marianna, who has broken her ties with the ex-wife, children and sued her parents to fully live as a woman. By taking up the fight for her life and her identity, Marianna doomed herself to rejection. Her family has completely distanced themselves from her. While we follow Marianna’s life, we are confronted with her past through a theatre play she is director of, where the actors are following Marianna’s past in their lines. This emotional and engaging portrait of Marianna is a story about a fighter, a brave woman’s fight for the right to live her own life. It is a story about loneliness, hope, and the price one has to pay for it, and a magnificent piece of cinema. The film won the Best Film and the Audience Award at Krakow Film Festival and the Zonta Club Locarno Award at Locarno Film Festival.  

Following the screening: a question-and-answer session with Karolina Bielawska.

ImageOut LGBT Film Festival is the Community Partner for this screening.

A Grain of Truth, announced as "the first true thriller in Polish cinema”, is an adaptation of the detective novel and best-seller by the same name by Polish author Zygmunt Miloszewski. A horrendous crime has been committed in Sandomierz - the body of a murdered woman, a well-liked local social activist, is found. The way she was murdered brings to mind a ritual murder. Prosecutor Teodor Szacki will not only need to solve a criminal puzzle but also face the hysteria of the public opinion. He will soon discover secrets from sixty years before, and prove that not every legend contains a grain of truth.

  Following the screening: Closing of the Festival. Reception at the Little Café.