A regular highlight in the SEFF program is the presentation of works by directors who stand out both in Polish and in world cinema. During the past few years the festival audience had the opportunity to see the most important motion pictures by Walter Ruttmann, Martin Scorsese, Maciej Drygas, Michelangelo Antonioni, Andrzej Munk, among others. 2016 will belong to Marcin Koszałka, a renowned and internationally awarded cinematographer, and also director, member of the Polish and the European Film Academy. The documentary block will show four films directed by Koszałka, presenting the essence of his film character.
Admission free
Marcin Koszałka
Cinematographer for many significant works of contemporary Polish cinema, a two-time winner in the category of cinematography at the Festival of Polish Feature Films in Gdynia, winner of the Bronze Frog at Camerimage, has received three Eagle nominations at the Polish Film Awards. Member of the Polish and the European Film Academy. Director of documentary and feature films, which he also writes and edits. Having done two school project films, in 1999 he made his debut as the director of “Such a Nice Boy I Gave Birth To,” a documentary about the relationships within his own family. The film has been awarded at festivals in Berlin, Cracow, and Nyon. Subsequent films by Koszałka received numerous awards in Karlovy Vary, Chicago, Leipzig, Cracow, Tampere, Teheran, Trento, among other places.
Production: PL 2008
The film shows the everyday life of Jacek, his conflicts with the overprotective mother. When all of a sudden a woman enters his life, a conflict erupts. After years of erotic abstinence, Ewa has awoken a man in him again. But this is when the mother steps in: Control yourself, you are 53 years old! - she reprimands her ageing son.
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Production: PL 2007
A documentary about two employees of a Sliseian dissection lab: the elder has more professional experience, and the younger is not yet entirely familiar with the secrets of harvesting organs. The film shows them during their work in dissection-rooms, as well as during conversations about this distinctive profession. The younger man has a son, from whom he has been concealing the drastic details of his work for a long time. He has a dream – to spend his vacation in the Seychelles. The elder man relaxes after work thanks by skiing and spending time in his beloved dovecot.
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Production: PL 1999
The film is a record of family life as seen by the son, a cinematographer. It was made in the author's home and pictures the conflicts between the mother and the son. During frequent arguments the parents speak straight to the camera.
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Production: PL 2013
A film about desire, perversion, and concealed cravings, but also about the essence of man – the crossing of boundaries, and about our secret fascination with killers. The film juxtaposes two intriguing taboos: sex and death. Does the dark fascination with serial murderers tell us something relevant about ourselves? Through the character of Joachim Knychała, who in 1975-1982 murdered five women, we look at those whose life had been marked by the famous “vampire of Bytom.” Among them we can find ex-journalist Edward Kozak who, although of considerable age, openly admits to his various obsessions. Thanks to the film about the “vampire” he can once again enjoy the warmth of the spotlight.
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