The Gdynia Feature Film Festival was dominated this year by three productions, but only two were related to the festival itself. “Kos” and “Tyle co nic” won the most awards, but these were not the productions that were the most talked about in recent days. The great absentee in Gdynia – Agnieszka Holland – was not forgotten during the awards gala.
Gdynia Film Festival 2023. Words and gestures of support for Agnieszka Holland
Saturday’s two-hour awards gala of the 48th Gdynia Feature Film Festival was full of expressions of support for Agnieszka Holland. The campaign against the director organized by the government and government media did not go unnoticed by her circle, which expressed solidarity with the creator of “The Green Border” from the stage.
Initially, subtle support quickly turned into open mockery of the slogan that has become a sensation again in recent days: “Only pigs sit in the cinema.”
I was silent for a moment… – began Kinga Preis, receiving her statuette. – Because I thought I heard… “grunting”! And this is the breath of freedom! I invite you to the elections – she said from the stage.
Kinga Preiss Photo Bartosz Bańka / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
The event organizers had no influence on what the awardees would say. Unfortunately for them, the gala was broadcast on government television, on the TVP Kultura channel. That is why the words in favor of choices, freedom of creators and reflection on the limits of criticism rang out even more strongly:
All special awards are very important – from Gdynia to Venice – said Boczarska, referring to the downplaying by many of the Special Jury Prize of the Venice festival for Agnieszka Holland as “the worse one”, because not the Main Prize.
I am very happy with the success of the Polish film – both here in Gdynia and in Venice – said Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, before presenting the statuette.
The most powerful speeches at the festival gala
However, the most powerful speeches were those of Marcin Lenarczyk, winner in the “Best Sound” category, and Paweł Maślony, director of “Kos”, the best film of this year’s festival. Lenarczyk spoke directly about the scandal:
The behavior of our government is scandalous. And what is happening on the border and what is happening with Ukraine. This is extremely dangerous, he said.
Paweł Maślona allowed himself a longer digression. He asked rhetorical questions whether what is happening now – this hatred and contempt – is worthy of a country where the Christian faith is so strong:
When I watched this film (“Kosa” – editor’s note) recently, I watched it in the context of the terrible hatred that befalls our colleague, Agnieszka Holland. However, this film is mostly about how we fail to believe in community, in institutions, in respect for ourselves, for people. The cinema we would like to make is the cinema that reveals itself, shares what is personal and delicate – this is very difficult for every director, it is a huge tension and shame, but also joy if it is accepted. Especially in our country, where there is such a strong Christian faith, I thought that there is one interpretation of Christianity that is very close to me – when Jesus dies on the cross, God dies. And the whole point of the good news is that God will be where there is love between us. I don’t see that love in what we’ve seen lately. There is no god in contempt and hatred. I hope this will change soon, he concluded with emotion.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
