Serial Eyes, the Filmnetzwerk Berlin, DFFB and the Polish Cultural Institute Berlin (FilmPOLSKA) are delighted to invite you to a two-day focus on new TV-series from Poland.
Fans of serialized storytelling have started looking all over Europe for new stories to binge-watch. And they have been rewarded handsomely. Recently, Poland has produced some of the most interesting series, many of which have been exported and broadcast outside the country. High production value and a distinguished look are matched with stories that follow as well as defy the universal conventions of crime. At the same time, these stories are genuinely local, rooted in impressive rural landscapes (Raven. So Dark in Here) or in the recent past (Rojst), and comment in their own distinctive ways on the contemporary socio-political situation (Blinded by the Lights, The Artists). Serial Poland presents a selection of new high-end series, which have not yet found their way to the German public. We will discuss with the series’ makers what themes inspire them, what social relevance series have in times of their growing circulation, and how the Polish public has responded to these shows.
PROGRAMME
08.03.2019, Opening Reception
Ślepnąc od świateł | Blinded by the Lights Poland 2018, 8x60’
7 pm, Arsenal Cinema
Created and written by Krzysztof Skonieczny, Jakub Żulczyk, based on a novel by Jakub Żulczyk / Directed by Krzysztof Skonieczny / Produced by Izabela Łopuch, HBO Europe, House Media Company /With Kamil Nożyński, Robert Więckiewicz, Marta Malikowska, Jan Frycz and more
The story charts seven days in the life of Kuba, a Warsaw drug dealer. His perfectly organised life of supplying corrupt cops, politicians and partying VIPs with cocaine starts to descend into chaos as he is forced to make the most important choice in his life. The series is based on the novel by Jakub Żulczyk, which was nominated for the Paszport “Polityki” award, and shot in a music-video style by Krzysztof Skonieczny.
Episodes 1 + 2, English subtitles, followed by a talk with Izabela Łopuch and Krzysztof Skonieczny
09.03.2019, Screenings & Talks at DFFB Cinema
Artyści | The Artists Poland 2016, 8x48’
12 noon, DFFB Cinema
Created and written by Paweł Demirski / Directed by Monika Strzępka / Produced by Telewizja Polska, NInA co-production / With Marcin Czarnik, Adam Cywka, Ewa Dałkowska and more
The Artists tells the story of a young and idealistic theatre director from the provinces, who, in his new position as director of the National Theatre in Warsaw, has to cope with many critical voices in order to realize his ambitious plans for the theatre. Delving into the intrigues of cultural politics in a tragicomical tone, this series is an allegory of the contemporary Polish society and one of the most controversial and successful series of the last few years.
Episodes 1 + 2, English subtitles, followed by a Q&A with Jerzy Kapuściński
Kruk. Szepty słychać po zmroku | Raven. So Dark in Here Poland 2018, 6x45’
2:30 pm, DFFB Cinema
Written by Jakub Korolczuk / Directed by Maciej Pieprzyca / Produced by: Łukasz Dzięcioł, OPUS TV, ITI NEOVISION S.A., Canal+ Poland / With Michał Żurawski, Cezary Łukaszewicz, Katarzyna Wajda and more
Adam Kruk, a 40-year-old police officer addicted to painkillers and psychotropic drugs, returns to the town where he grew up in order to chase down the paedophile who abused his friend Slawek years ago. Once there, he is unexpectedly called in to investigate a new case: the kidnapping of a powerful man’s grandson. Kruk delves into the case in the hopes of setting himself free from his past mistakes.
Episodes 1 +2, English subtitles, followed by a Q&A with Jakub Korolczuk, Maciej Pieprzyca, Łukasz Dzięcioł
Rojst |Rojst Poland 2018, 5x50’
5 pm, DFFB Cinema
Written by Jan Holoubek, Kasper Bajon, Anna Kazejak, Michał Marczak / Directed by Jan Holoubek, Michal Marczak /Produced by Jurek Dzięgielewski, Showmax Polska, Studio Filmowe Kadr/ With Andrzej Seweryn, Dawid Ogrodnik, Zofia Wichłacz and more
South-West Poland, 1980s. A small, forgotten town is shocked by a brutal double murder: a young prostitute and a local communist activist. At the same time, teenagers also commit suicide. Witold Wanycz, an experienced but slightly embittered journalist, wants to write about the murder in the local newspaper. When the young editor and son of a high-ranking party activist, Piotr Zarzycki, is employed in the same editorial office, the two are assigned together in this investigation. However, the further they advance, the more they get stuck in the Rojst – a swamp that hides a long forgotten, unexplained mystery and a local conspiracy. A convincing re-enactment of the communist world of the 80s, with a great cast and a politically anchored plot.
Episodes 1 + 2, English subtitles, followed by a Q&A with Jurek Dziegielewski, Jan Holoubek
Panel discussion |Crime & Politics in New Polish Serieswith the invited guests
7:30 pm, DFFB Cafè
Serial Poland is an event organised by Polnisches Institut Berlin (filmPOLSKA), Serial Eyes and Filmnetzwerk Berlin of the German Film- and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB)
The entire event is free of charge and held in English. Screenings in original language with English subtitles.