| Director: | Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert |
|---|---|
| Production: | NOMAD Films
(Klaudia Śmieja- Rostworowska,
Bogna Szewczyk-Skupień, Katarzyna Jordan-Kulczyk, Gregory Jakilevitsch),
Film i Väst
(Kristina Borjeson), Common Ground Pictures (Jonas Kellagher),
Polish Film Institute |
| Running Time: | 132’ |
| Language: | Polish |
| Country: | Poland, Sweden |
| Main Cast: | Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, Joanna Kulig, Bogumila Bajor, Mateusz Wieclawek |
| Screenplay: | Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert |
| Cinematographer: | Michał Englert |
| Editor: | Jarosław Kamiński |
| Production Designer: | Marek Zawierucha |
| Costume Designer: | Anna Englert |
| Music: | Jimek |
| Sound: | Marcin Jachyra, Kacper Habisiak, Marcin Kasiński |
Cinema
Kobieta Z... (Woman of)
Venezia 80 Competition
Synopsis
Set against the landscape of the Polish transformation from communism to capitalism, Kobieta z... spans 45 years of the life of Aniela Wesoły and her journey to find personal liberty as a trans woman. She faces hardships in family life and complicated attitudes in her environment. What choices will Aniela have to make to become who she truly is?
Directors’ Statement
Kobieta z... is a truly important film for us, the result of many years of work, countless meetings with transgender people—people of all ages who have lived in Poland for decades, who have graciously trusted us to share their stories. Aniela— who for almost a half of her life lived as a man in a provincial town, making her laborious journey to freedom—seemed symbolic to us, becoming a metaphor for the transition of Poland, reflecting a society that had once before come together in solidarity to bring down the communist regime. That society now stands for a polarisation of attitudes, unwilling to accept beliefs which have long become a social norm in other parts of the world. The title of our film is a deliberate reference to our Master—Andrzej Wajda (Man of Iron, Man of Marble). At this time when cinema is being replaced by content, we felt the strong need to tell Aniela’s unique story, asking questions and referencing classic traits of the genre in its form. Kobieta z... stars many people who are transgender, who play the roles of both trans and cis characters. The production team was comprised of many people from the LGBTQ+ community. We hope that our film will help people understand what it means to be trans and increase support for amendments in the law which will guarantee a life without threat. Our film does not judge any of the attitudes presented. The most significant element is the humanistic tone within the poignant story of our main characters, respectfully followed by our camera.
Production/Distribution
PRODUCTION 1: Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska, Bogna Szewczyk-Skupien, Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert, Katarzyna Jordan-Kulczyk, Gregory Jankilevitsch - NOMAD FILMS
Nabielaka 15/1
00-743 – Warsaw, Poland
Tel. +48 787038881
office@madants.pl
PRODUCTION 2: Jonas Kellagher - Common Ground Pictures
Polstjärnegatan, 14
417 56 – Göteborg, Sweden
Tel. +46 733643875
jonas@cgpictures.se
PRODUCTION 3: Kristina Borjeson - Film i Väst
Åkerssjövägen 6
461 53 – Trollhättan, Sweden
Tel. +46 765012066
kristina.borjeson@filmivast.se
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Film%20i%20V%C3%A4st
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmivast/
WORLD SALES: Alexandre Moreau, Tanja Meissner - Memento International
50 rue de Chabrol
75010 - Paris, France
Tel : +33 153349033
sales@memento-films.com
ITALIAN DISTRIBUTION: Andrea Romeo – I Wonder
Via della Zecca, 2
40121 – Bologna, Italy
romeo@iwonderpictures.com
PRESS OFFICE: Charles McDonald
Tel. +44 7785246377
charles@charlesmcdonald.co.uk
Katy Driscoll
Tel. +44 7767442211
katy@katydriscoll.co.uk
