The main theme of this year’s Festival is very cinematographic. What if? we go this way, what will happen when we bring trends that are still budding?

Each of the films, which we present in the set, develops the above thought individually. We will mostly see worlds which are seemingly unreal, but which have been built on that reality. They are in fact universal hyperboles showing the reality, which has become difficult or unbearable for some reason (the reason is different in each film). Some make futurist worlds, or communities that have been swept underground and formatted at the bidding of infernal dictators. On the other hand, there are more real landscapes, demolished by (very real) demagogues and ordinary foes. Lars Von Trier’s film, where a kind of an alchemical illness is related to the macro-world of the Cosmos, which eventually brings termination to the Earth, falls into a separate section. Yet, the most interesting for us is the fact that this postapocalyptic world sees the onset of rebellion – a spark that ignites the desire of freedom. It takes on a different form, but what is common for the films is disagreement with the status quo. In each of them, the category of freedom is presented differently, and usually is not achieved in a clear, unambiguous manner. The centre of gravity is shifted here on the spectator. He/she is to be struck with an inspiring impulse that would direct his/ her thought to new freedom. Films, which we present this year, are carriers of such “revolutionary” sparks. A symbolic oasis of a temporary freedom is a magic cave built by three characters in Melancholia. Guided by film fascinations of the Danish pessimist, we also show for a change a metaphysical drama by Tarkovsky with which we scan the intimate space of the human inner side. The latest film by Agnieszka Holland, which ends our film review, is a special example. When compared to the recent Polish films, Pokot Spoor, and especially its final scene, is an unusual attempt to show a model of a “better new world” where the society reaches the state of nearly heavenly harmony.

Piotr Pękala