Tag: Poland

Oscar-nominated ‘Corpus Christi’ spins an inspirational tale and a tense countdown

Jeff Mitchell

“Corpus Christi” – “No seminary accepts convicts like you.” – Father Tomasz (Lukasz Simlat) “Doesn’t matter where you’re coming from.  All that matters is where you are going.” – Daniel (Bartosz Bielenia) Daniel (Bielenia) doesn’t wish to think about his previous travels. This slight, young Polish man – with glittery sapphire eyes and an impish crewcut – has crashed into life’s dead ends and incessantly circled in nowhere cul-de-sacs.  He actually resembles an Eastern Bloc version of Scottish hooligan Renton (Ewan McGregor) from “Trainspotting” (1996), but sans any mates to…

Our 10 favorite Oscar nominations: 3 – 1. ‘Cold War’ – Best Cinematography, Director and Foreign Language Film

Jeff Mitchell

3. 2. 1.  ‘Cold War’ – Best Cinematography (Lukasz Kal), Director (Pawel Pawlikowski) and Foreign Language Film – Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War” is AHFW’s #1 movie of 2018, so we are thrilled that a film about Zula (Joanna Kulig) and Wiktor’s (Tomasz Kot) passionate but troubled relationship earned three Oscar nominations.   Of course, we also think that it should garner Best Picture, Score and Original Song, but hey, we’re happy that a black and white Polish film captured Best Cinematography and Director, no matter what the language. Here’s our review: “Cold…

‘The Zookeeper’s Wife’ is an insightful war story, told from a female perspective

Jeff Mitchell

“The Zookeeper’s Wife” – “You can never tell who your enemies are or who to trust.  Maybe that’s why I love animals so much.  You look in their eyes, and you know exactly what’s in their hearts. They aren’t like people.”  – Antonina Zabinski (Jessica Chastain) Antonina (Chastain) and Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh) run a zoo in Warsaw, and life couldn’t be better for them during the summer of 1939.  A place of beauty and wonder, and on any typical morning, one might see Antonina ride her bike through the…