Sean Durkin has been awarded for the best direction at Sundance for his film Martha Marcy May Marlene which is going to be screened in the competition program of the Miskolc International Film Festival in September. The Hungarian cinema-goers can watch the film, which appeared in the Un certain regard section in Cannes, much earlier than the Americans - as the film’s US premiere is going to be held only on 21^st October. Among the stars of this masterful psychological thriller are Christopher Abbot, Hugh Dancy - and Elizabeth Olsen, the talented sister of the Olsen twins, who gives Oscar-worthy performance in the film. Martha Marcy May Marlene escapes from the captivity of a sect, but her memories still keep her suffering for a long time. Sean Dunkin’s first feature film has a good chance for the Academy Awards, just like the opening film of Jameson CineFest, The Help, which has been leading the US charts for 14 days.

--
Peter Muszatics

The program of the Polish Academy of Document in Kiev is now available on our website www.dragonforum.pl/en

During the Kiev workshops, young documentary makers will develop their film projects under the guidance of international experts such as Jerzy Śladkowski, Marcin Koszałka, Krzysztof Kopczyński and Dorota Roszkowska. The program also includes Master Classes and Case Studies and Art of Document screenings in Kinopanorama cinema as well. We will show a choice of intriguing films about Poland and the world, including: «Warsaw To Take» by Karolina Bielawska i Julia Ruszkiewicz , «Kruzenshtern» by Maciej Cuske, «Mobile Cinema Of Dreams» by Andrzej Fidyk, Marcel Łoziński's «Poste Restante», «I Love Poland» by Marii Zmarz-Koczanowicz, «Declaration Of Immortality» by Marcin Koszałka and «Vodka Factory» by Jerzy Śladkowski. The session will end with an open conference of Polish and Ukraininan filmmakers on the current issues in cinematography.

Wellcome!

The calls for projects to participate in Polish Academy of Document are open:
for Kiev (4-8 Oct) until September 4th
for Minsk (8-12 Nov) until October 2nd
for Moscow (6-10 Dec) until October 16th

Application form, regulations and additional information about Polish Academy of Document are available at www.dragonforum.pl

WATCH DOCS 2011 program includes among others:
1. Competition for feature-length, human rights – oriented documentaries from all over the world, of outstanding cinematic quality
2. Permanent repertoire section „I Want to See”, including documentaries about events, problems and people on whom the attention of human rights defenders is currently focused
3. Permanent repertoire section „Discreet Charm of Propaganda” -sixth edition: the war propaganda during the Balkans conflict
4. Permanent repertoire section „New Polish Films” presenting the most recent Polish docs that are focused on social issues
5. Permanent repertoire section „Close Up”- the Arab World including films depicting recent North African revolutions
6. Second part of the retrospective „The Shelved Gems” – documentaries and feature films which were banned by the censorship for various reasons.,
7. Thematic retrospective focuses on racism, xenophobia, and various forms of intolerance in contemporary world.

WATCH DOCS is not only about films. This year the Festival’s accompanying events include among others: an international conference on human rights today with theoreticians and hands on human rights defenders from all over the world; master classes conducted by renowned filmmakers; panel debates, discussions and meetings.

More details on http://www.watchdocs.pl/

On the initiative of the Polish Film Institute two cultural institutions: the Film Society of Lincoln Center together with the Polish Cultural Institute of New York teamed for a week of contemporary Polish cinema from the last two years: Transitions: Recent Polish Cinema. With the maximum effort of the Polish Film Institute it took a year to organize the series that audience will get to chance to see between September 9 – 15. The series mark for the Polish Cinema the first time of being held by such a prestigious institution like Lincoln Center.

The line-up includes the best features from acclaimed Polish film directors as well as debutants, the best Polish shorts from the previous year, documentaries, animated works and a two film tribute of digitally restored prints featuring Zbigniew Cybulski from Janusz Morgenstern with Krzysztof Komeda’s music: Goodbye Until Tomorrow and Night Train.

The screenings of Suicide Room by Jan Komasa (Friday, Sept 9, 6:45 pm) and Mall Girls by Katarzyna Rosłaniec (Saturday, Sept 10, 9:10 pm) will be accompanied by the meeting with the directors. On September 10 at 5 pm there will be also the chance to meet Kamil Polak (Switez) and Bartek Kulas (Millhaven) during the shorts screenings.

LIST OF FILMS:

All That I Love (Wszystko co kocham), 2009

Director: Jacek Borcuch, Cast: Mateusz Kościukiewicz, Jakub Gierszał, Olga Frycz.

Spring of 1981. A wave of strikes sweeps through Poland. Communist authorities are trying to find ways of destroying “Solidarity” movement. Four 18-year-old kids in a seaside town form a punk rock band. Their leader Janek is the son of a prominent navy officer.

Festivals: Busan IFF 09//Sundance IFF 10 //Rotterdam IFF 10

Black Thursday (Czarny czwartek), 2011

Director: Antoni Krauze, Cast: Marta Honzatko, Michał Kowalski.

The story of workers' strikes in December 1970 that were met with a brutal reaction from the communist authorities. The film is based around a Gdynia shipyard worker named Brunon Drzywa, who died during the riots after having been shot in the back at a local train station.

Festivals: Montreal IFF 11

Erratum, 2010

Director: Marek Lechki, Cast: Tomasz Kot, Ryszard Kotys.

A few days before his son’s First Communion, Michał heads to his hometown. He has some business to attend to, and return home as soon as possible. When he gets there, it turns out that he will have to stay for a few days. While walking the town streets, he encounters people he used to be close with, visits familiar places. What started out as a trivial trip slowly turns into an emotional life journey.

Festivals: Warsaw IFF 10 // Busan 10 // Chicago Iff 10 // Thessaloniki 10

Mall Girls (Galerianki), 2009

Director: Katarzyna Rosłaniec, Cast: Anna Kaczmarczyk, Dagmara Krasowska, Dominika Gwit.

Milena and her friends are Middle school students. They enjoy spending time at the mall. They meet rich men, who give them presents in exchange for sex.

Festivals: Toronto IFF 10 // Banghkok IFF 09 //Cottbus IFF 2009 // Tallin IFF 09

Mother Teresa of Cats (Matka Teresa od kotów), 2009

Director: Paweł Sala, Cast: Mateusz Kościukiewicz, Filip Garbacz, Mariusz Bonaszewski, Ewa Skibińska.

A story inspired by real events. Two brothers brutally murder their cat-loving mother. This heinous crime serves as a pretext for pondering on the condition of the family in Poland. How is it possible that an average and seemingly normal family can suddenly be deprived of their chance for a normal life...

Festivals: Karlovy Vary IFF 10 // Tallin IFF 10 // Cottbus IFF 10 // Cairo IFF 10

Out of Love (Z miłości), 2011

Director: Anna Jadowska, Cast: Marta Nieradkiewicz, Wojciech Niemczyk, Daniel Olbrychski, Ewa Szykulska.

Ewelina and Piotr recently got married. Now they have a baby, but also constant financial difficulties. Piotr doesn’t have a steady job, nor has he any ideas for supporting his family. In a conversation with friends, Ewelina and Piotr learn that performing in a porn film is a fun and easy way to make quick money.

Suicide Room (Sala samobójców), 2010

Director: Jan Komasa, Cast: Jakub Gierszał, Roma Gąsiorowska, Agata Kulesza, Krzysztof Pieczyński.

Dominik, a high school student, is humiliated by his colleagues one too many times; he stops going to school and shuts himself in the virtual world. There he meets a girl who brings him into the “suicide room” an online place for people who, like Dominik, no longer want to live, or at least give off that impression.

Festivals: Berlin IFF 11 // Off Plus Camera in Krakow 11 // Polish Film Festival in Gdynia 11

Venice (Wenecja), 2010

Director: Jan Jakub Kolski, Cast: Magdalena Cielecka, Marcin Walewski, Agnieszka Grochowska.

A ten-tear-old boy dreams of going to Venice. But then the Second World War starts and his family hides him in the home of his aunts who build him a small Venice in the flooded basement. A coming-of-age story about love and courage.

Festivals: Montreal IFF 10 // Cottbus IFF 10 // Tallin IFF 10

SHORT FILMS

SWITEŹ, dir. Kamil Polak, 2011
GALERIA, dir. Robert Proch, 2010
SZELEST, dir. Leszek Korusiewicz, 2010
POROZMAWIAJ Z NIM, dir. Agata Prętka, 2010
POWROTY, dir. Krzysztof Kadłubowski, 2010
MILLHAVEN, dir. Bartek Kulas, 2010
PRZESŁUCHANIE, dic. Adam Palenta, 2010
PUSSYCAT, dir. Ola Jankowska, 2011

Further details available on Film’s society website.

Best regards,

Olga Domżała

Olga Domżała

Film Sales Support & PR Manager

Polish Film Institute

Krakowskie Przedmieście 21/23

00-071 Warsaw PL

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile: +48 695 363 335

The Flying Machine will have its official premiere screening in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on August 30 as a part of celebration of the Polish Presidency in European Union. For this most famous concert hall in China the screening will mark the first 3D movie projection ever.Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski and the Director of the Polish Film Institute Agnieszka Odorowicz have confirmed their presence at the premiere.

The Flying Machine is a Polish-Chinese co-production with the support of the Polish Film Institute. The film was produced by BreakThru Films (Poland) and co-produced by: Telewizja Polska S.A, Canal+ Poland, Media Skok Sp. Z o.o., Sean Michael Bobbitt Investment, Hugh Welchman. Total budget amount is 36 mln PLN. The world sales is handled by the Distribution Workshop. The distribution of The Flying Machine in Poland will be handled by Kino Świat and Bona Film Group in China (also co-producer).

From Academy Award Winning team behind Peter And The Wolf (Best Short Animation Film) and Line Producer Gareth Unwin (King’s Speech),The Flying Machine is a spectacular 3D adventure for the whole family, combining live action and stop motion animation. Starring Heather Graham and super-star pianist Lang Lang (considered by Time magazine in 2009 one of 100 the most influential people in the world) who also performs the soundtrack, Chopin’s timeless unforgettable music provides the inspiration for a modern fairy tale.

The Flying Machine’s animated part was directed by Martin Clapp and the cinematographer credit goes to Krzysztof Ptak. The film was created to promote Chopin's music internationally.

The Flying Machine has assembled a truly class team of stop motion and 2D animators. Each of the stop motion animators have credits as lead animators on some of the biggest stop-motion films of recent years – Coraline, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, DreamWorks Spirit, Aardman’s Wallace & Grommitt. The 2D animators include Dino Athanassiou, director of Treasure Island and Sequence Director of DreamWorks, and Paul Bolger, lead animator on Cool World, The Thief and the Cobbler and Director of Happily N’everAfter(starring Sigourney Weaver).

Best regards,

Olga Domżała

Olga Domżała

Film Sales Support & PR Manager

Polish Film Institute

Krakowskie Przedmieście 21/23

00-071 Warsaw PL

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile: +48 695 363 335

For the second year in a row, Kaunas International Film Festival will be opened by a Lithuanian film – this year it will be the documentary The Field of Magic by Mindaugas Survila. The premiere of the story about the people who have been living in the Buda Forest near the former Karijotiškės landfill for over 20 years will take place in Kaunas on September 27.

“We are establishing a tradition to begin the programme of the Festival with a Lithuanian film – last year we screened Eastern Drift by Šarūnas Bartas, and this year we chose the work of Mindaugas Survila who represents the young generation of Lithuanian filmmakers. Each year, we try to introduce both renowned Lithuanian works of cinematography and promising filmmakers,” said the Festival’s director Ilona Jurkonytė.

Four years in the making, the documentary The Field of Magic is a scrutiny of the miserable lives, holidays and survival of the residents of the Buda Forest. By giving voice to those who usually remain unheard, the filmmaker reveals the difficulties of these actions as well as shows the ability of the characters to be ironical about the surrounding world and the fear of losing touch with it.

“My visits to the Buda Forest were very frequent during the filming and gradually those people began accepting me: I would accompany them to the landfill, and celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve with them. All of a sudden I could see them in a completely different way as compared to the picture drawn by the press and the television – they not only do their share of hard work every day, but also read books, listen to music, make jokes, fall in love, sing, cry, play cards, do their hair and are always ready to help each other,” said the author of the film Mindaugas Survila.

The Field of Magic is the second documentary of the young filmmaker. The debut titled Meeting the Ospreys about the rare species of birds was awarded the best Lithuanian nature documentary in 2007 and received the prize of Petras Abukevičius, maker of the films about nature.

The 5th Kaunas International Film Festival will take place September 27 – October 9 in Kaunas and Vilnius. The Festival will visit Panevėžys film theatre “Garsas” on October 10–13 and Nida film theatre “Agila" on October 13–16. More information on www.kinofestivalis.lt.

--
Gintarė Kavaliūnaitė
Public relations | Ryšiai su visuomene
Kaunas International Film Festival | Tarptautinis Kauno kino festivalis
+370 610 05056 | www.kinofestivalis.lt| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |

Following up on its Uncensored series, HBO Czech Republic has announced another call for documentary proposals from Czech and Slovak filmmmakers. The call is organized in cooperation with the Institute of Documentary Film and the winning project will receive funding support in the amount of approx. EUR 50,000.

A few weeks ago in Sarajevo, Angelina Jolie handed over the award for Best Actor to Thomas Schubert, the young star of Atmen (Breathing). This is the first direction of Austrian actor Karl Markovics. In his homeland he is a very well known and popular artist, and the interational public might be familiar with his very characteristic face from Die Fälscher (The Counterfeiters) which won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar three years ago. In Cannes, Markovics competed with his film in the Director’s Forthnight section. The film’s Hungarian premier in the presence of the director is going to be in September, in the competition program of Jameson CineFest.

dr. Peter Muszatics

JAMESON CINEFEST - MISKOLCI NEMZETKÖZI FILMFESZTIVÁL
JAMESON CINEFEST - MISKOLC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2011. szeptember 17-25./September 17-25, 2011

www.cinefest.hu

Telefon (+36) 30 9277726

“Land of Oblivion”, a Polish co-production with Olga Kurylenko and Andrzej Chyra, at the Toronto International Film Festival

“Land of Oblivion”, Michale Boganim, a French-German-Polish co-production with Andrzej Chyra in one of the leading roles and with music by the exceptional Polish pianist and composer Leszek Mozdzer, will be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, the most important film festival on the other side of the ocean. The Polish co-producer is Dariusz Jablonski and Apple Film Production, one of the leading film production companies in Poland.

The film was invited to take part in the Contemporary World Cinema programme during the festival in Toronto. The festival has been taking place since 1976 and showcases the latest trends in world cinematography. This year’s festival, the 36^th edition, will take place between the 8^th-18^th of September.

Michale Boganim’s film has already had the honor of being invited to another international festival. “Land of Oblivion” will have its world premiere at this year’s Venice Festival during the prestigious International Film Critic’s Week (Settimana Internazionale Della Critica), with only nine films of which seven will compete for the Golden Lion of the Future prize.

“Land of Oblivion” is Michale Boganim’s debut fiction film, who is a respected documentary director (her work includes the well-known “Odessa… Odessa!” which has been shown at 40 festivals). 25 years after the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, she shows the stories of several people and families whose lives were destroyed in the blast. The lives of the characters are seen in two different periods: during the day of the blast and ten years later.

Olga Kurylenko (Bond’s girlfriend in “Quantum of Solace”) and Andrzej Chyra star in the leading roles while the music was composed by the brilliant jazz musician and world-class pianist Leszek Mozdzer.

The co-producer of the film is Dariusz Jablonski and his Apple Film Production (www.applefilm.pl), one of the leading film production companies on the Polish market, which consistently makes films together with international co-production, collaborating with producers from all of Europe and beyond. “Land of Oblivion” is a French-German-Polish co-production which gained the support of the Polish Film Institute as well as the international fund Eurimages of the Council of Europe. The French company Le Pacte is responsible for international distribution.

SCREENINGS AT TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL

Press&Industry: 8 september at 19h30 – Scotiabank Theatre 11

Official screening: 9 september at 17h15 – AMC 10

Screening: 10 september at 12h30 – AMC 10

Press&Industry: 13 september at 16h00 – Scotiabank Theatre 7

Screening: 17 september at 21h00 – TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

Land of Oblivion

France-Germany-Poland, 2011, 105’

DIRECTED BY: Michale Boganim SCREENPLAY BY: Michale Boganim, Anne Weil, Antoine Lacomblez CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yorgos Arvanitis, Antoine Heberlé MUSIC BY: Leszek Możdżer EDITED BY: Anne Weil, Thierry Derocles SOUND BY: Frédéric de Ravignan, François Waledisch SET DECORATION: Bruno Margery CAST: Olga Kurylenko, Illya Iosivof, Andrzej Chyra, Vyacheslav Slanko, Nicolas Wanczycki, Serguei Strelnikov EXECUTIVE PRODUCTION: Les Films du Poisson PRODUCTION: Films du Poisson, Vandertastic, Apple Film Production DISTRIBUTOR: Le Pacte

Izabela Wojcik

Apple Film Production, Head of Development

ul. Bagatela 10/12

00-585 Warsaw

Tel. +48 228518440

Fax +48 228518444

Mobile: +48501299277

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.applefilm.pl

PÁLL ADRIENN

Austria-France-Hungary-Netherlands 2010, 136 min.

The story retraces the wanderings of a nurse who goes mad from being surrounded by death and sets off in search of a long-lost childhood friend. Gathering her recollections, she embarks on a journey full of paradoxes of her own memories and of the people she encounters.

Director: Agnes Kocsis

Written by: Agnes Kocsis, Andrea Roberti

Producer: Ferenc Pusztai - KMH FILM

Cast: Éva Gábor, István Znamenák, Ákos Horváth

Distributor: Elle Driver

Awards and Festivals: "Un Certain Regard" - FIPRESCI Award, Cannes 2010

THE ABANDONED

Bosnia 2010, 85 min.

The Abandoned is a look at the Bosnian war through the eyes of a boy who was born not as the fruit of love, but of hatred, and is part of a whole new people, nameless and unwanted, whose mothers were raped. The boy is in search for identity, for his biological parents.

Director: Adis Bakrac

Written by: Zlatko Topcic

Producer: Almir Sahinovic - HEFT Productions

Cast: Tony Grga, Mirsad Tuka, Mira Furlan

Awards and Festivals: FESTROIA International Film Festival - Special Jury Award "First Works Section" - Festroia International Film Festival, 2011

BETWEEN TWO FIRES

Poland-Sweden 2010

A young mother with her daughter escapes child trafficking in their home country Belarus, just to end up in a refugee camp in northern Sweden. In her vulnerable situation, she becomes an easy target for her surrounding. Soon enough she get put in front of extreme choices which turns her life to a nightmare.

Directed by: Agnieszka Lukasiak

Written by: Agnieszka Lukasiak

Producer: Peter Kropenin - Hob AB

Distributor: The Yellow Affair

Cast: Magdalena Poplawska, Simon Kassianides, Kamila Nowysz

DAD

Slovenia, 2010, 71 min.

A film about love. After a long time, father and son spend a day together. (One day is like a crystal, one's whole life reflects in it.) On a beautiful autumn Sunday, in the middle of majestic nature, the two human beings look like they are alone in the world. They must start all over again.

Directed by: Vlado Škafar

Written by: Vlado Skafar

Producer: Frenk Celarc - Gustav Film

Cast: Urška Kos, Sandra Ržen, Frenk Grdin, Rok Grdin

Awards and festivals: Veneţia 2010, Venice International Film Critics Week

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Croatia, 2010, 80 min

During a reality show a war starts in the real world, a global conflict between NATO and the Eastern alliance, but the producer will do anything to hide it from the contestants who fight for the big prize...

Directed by: Nevio Marasovic

Written by: Nevio Marasovic

Cast: Sven Medvesek, Natasa Dorcic, Ivana Roscic

Producer: Sasa Bjelic - Copycat Productions

Awards and Festivals:  57th Pula Film Festival: Best newcomer, Best screenplay, Critics award

THE TEMPTATION OF ST. TONY

Estonia-Finland-Sweden, 2009, 110 min.

It is the story of a middle-age man who wakes up in the dark forest described by Dante. An unusual problem overshadows his life more or less prosperous and peaceful - morality. It is possible to be a "good man"? And what does this means? On the way to a cleaner conscience in a more and more complicated reality, Tony will meet a few individuals specific to Estonian society today and will live exciting adventures, not without humor. And it seems that slowly but inevitably, the hero will lose his job, his family, and later the sense of reality and himself.

Directed by: Veiko Õunpuu

Written by: Veiko Õunpuu

Cast: Taavi Eelmaa, Ravshana Kurkova, Tiina Tauraite

Producer: Homeless Bob Production

Distributor: Olive Films

THE CHRISTENING

Poland, 2010, 86 min.

Michal has what he always dreamed of: a beautiful wife named Magda, a newborn son, his own firm. He chooses an old friend, Janek, to be the godfather of his child. This is just the beginning of Michal's plan, who asks his friend to take an interest in his wife... At the beginning the plan works out, but it becomes increasingly difficult for Michal to come to terms with it. Michal knows his deeply hidden past will inevitably come back to him...

Directed by: Marcin Wrona

Written by: Grazyna Trela, Dariusz Glazer

Cast: Andrzej Franczyk, Iwona Bielska, Krzysztof Czeczot

Producer: Odeon

APART THE COMPETITION

WEDDING IN BASARABIA

Romania, 2010, 90 min.

A young conductor from Bucharest and a pianist from Chisinau have recently married in Romania. The two are forced to make another wedding, this time in Basarabia, because the gift from the bride's relatives should gather an advance for an apartment. The second wedding is an opportunity for competition between relatives of young newly weds, a competition that highlights the differences in education, culture and political beliefs.

Directed by: Napoleon Helmis

Written by: Napoleon Helmis

Cast: Vlad Logigan, Victoria Bobu

Producer: Mediana Communications

Distributor: Asociaţia Film Romania

Awards and Festivals: / GOPO 2011 Award Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a fiction feature film, best original music (feature film) and MTV Special Award for best kiss.

HELLO! HOW ARE YOU?

Romania, 2010, 105 min.

After 20 years of happy marriage, Gabriel and Gabriela did not feel any attraction to each other. After they spend a few nights communicating online with a stranger, both fall in love - not knowing that actually found each other again. One day the meeting of the two virtual lovers is inevitable...

Directed by: Alexandru Maftei

Written by: Lia Bugnar

Cast: Ionel Mihăilescu, Dana Voicu

Producer: Rollin Studio Romania

Distributor: Voodoo Films/ M-Appeal

URSUL

Romania, 2011, 83 min.

The Bear is a road-movie placed in Romania of 90's. The new manager of the State Circus is trying to solve financial problems of the institution by selling the only bear - old and dying - to a German hunter. But driven by a passion for craft and love for the bear, the artists of circus are against the director and follow him to the place where he goes to do the transaction.

Directed by: Dan Chişu

Written by: Dan Chişu

Cast: Şerban Pavlu, Mihai Constantin, Cosmin Seleşi

Producer: Libra Film

Distributor: Transilvania Film

Awards and Festivals: Best Pitch Award at Cottbus Film Festival in Germany

THE TAKE-OFF

Romania, 1971, 81 min

Valedictorian of a school of flying, a pilot is obliged to do two years probation in utilitarian aviation. The one who dreamed himself as a supersonic master, finds himself a poor "air driver". Life and the elder commander will g9ive him a though lesson.

Directed by: Timotei Ursu

Written by: Constantin Stoiciu

Cast: Liviu Ciulei, Emil Hossu, Emanoil Petruţ, George Motoi

Producer: Filmstudio Bucureşti