Documentaries in Gdynia at the 51st PFF – Polish Film Festival

The PFF isn’t just about feature films! It has become a tradition of the Polish Film Festival to present important, high-profile and award-winning documentary films. As part of the 51^st PFF, we have planned no fewer than seven screenings in the Documentaries in Gdynia section – including three in collaboration with the Krakow Film Festival, and one with Millenium Docs Against Gravity film festival. This year’s films in the Documentaries in Gdynia section reveal a broad spectrum of family relationships, paint vivid portraits, engage in self-reflective contemplation and bear witness to solidarity in the face of the trauma of war.

Artistic Director of the PFF Joanna Łapińska comments: This will be a powerful edition of the Documentaries in Gdynia section. The filmmakers behind the invited films tell moving, intimate stories without looking away from the most difficult issues. They speak of fundamental values. They portray passion beautifully and with great sincerity. We need these films in Gdynia, and we need the power that documentary cinema has.

The opening film of the Documentaries in Gdynia section is Marcin Borchardt’s Magic Hour. Compiled from private archives and family footage, it traces the extraordinary journey of Piotr Sobociński, one of Poland’s most outstanding cinematographers – from communist Poland, through international successes and Oscar nominations, to the demanding reality of American film production. Another cinematic portrait is Tickling the Devil (directed by Maciej Nabrdalik and Piotr Małecki), which follows Christopher Morris, a war photojournalist who, after years of documenting conflicts, is trying to find peace in family life whilst grappling with the demons of war and the consequences of his choices. Paweł Chorzępa’s The Tuners explores this extraordinary and little-known world. During the Chopin Competition, the competition amongst the piano tuners – unseen by the audience – determines the sound of the pianos, and their precise craftsmanship becomes an art form just as thrilling as the pianists’ performances.

The much-talked-about film Closure (directed by Michał Marczak) depicts the struggles of Daniel, who, unable to wait for a breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance of his son Krzysiek, builds a boat fitted with cameras and drones himself to search the Vistula, and his solitary search becomes a test of his ability to confront his fears, his hopes and his own life. House of Ants (directed by Katarzyna Kultys) is a story about complex parent-child relationships. In Kasia’s home, her teenage son Oskar’s passion for terrariums spirals out of control, putting their bond to the test and forcing the family to work out new rules for living together. The film Candidates of Death (directed by Maciej Cuske) explores the father-son relationship, friendship and a love of cinema. For over a decade, Maciej, his son and his son’s friends have been filming a series of horror films during their summer holidays. This long-running adventure becomes a record of growing up, finding one’s way in life and the power of friendship. 

The Documentaries in Gdynia section concludes with the poignant film Traces by Alisa Kovalenko and Marysia Nikitiuk. The film tells the story of Ukrainian women who, having experienced sexual violence and torture during the Russian invasion, are breaking their silence, supporting one another and fighting for justice.

Documentaries in Gdynia at the 51^st PFFMDAG in Gdynia: Closure, directed by: Michał Marczak 
KFF Catching Waves: House of Ants, directed by: Katarzyna Kultys and a meeting with the director
KFF Catching Waves: Tickling the Devil, directed by: Maciej Nabrdalik, Piotr Małecki and a meeting with the directors
Candidates of Death, directed by: Maciej Cuske and a meeting with the director
Magic Hour, directed by: Marcin Borchardt and a meeting with the director
KFF Catching Waves: The Tuners, reżyseria: Paweł Chorzępa and a meeting with the director
Traces, directed by: Alisa Kovalenko, Marysia Nikitiuk