And the winner is…?

25|01|2012

On the 26th of February we will know the verdict of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For us it is the more exciting as Agnieszka Holland’s “In Darkness” (“W ciemności”) is the Polish Oscar Nominee for best Foreign Language Film. The picture, which tells the story of a Pole who was hiding Jews in the sewers during WW2, has been compared by American critics to “Schindler’s List” and “The Pianist.” Starring: Robert Więckiewicz, Agnieszka Grochowska, Kinga Preis, Maja Bohosiewicz, Krzysztof Skonieczny, Marcin Bosak and the stars of German cinema, Maria Schrader and Benno Furmann.



“A brave, epic film, far from conventional entertainment. The suspense that the filmmakers are able to summon out of a true story is deadly and inspiring at the same time. The protagonist (a flawless performance by Robert Więckiewicz) is reminiscent of Oskar Schindler, and his extraordinary story shows the change of a man from an anti-Semite to a guardian angel.” | Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

“Never before has anyone in cinema asked the question about the price of life so literally. Is it worth to save one life, if it is possible that tens of lives are ended in exchange?” | Magdalena Żakowska, Gazeta Wyborcza

www.wciemnosci.pl

Another film presented in the same category is the Belgian Bullhead | Rundskop – directed by Michaël R. Roskam, which had its premiere screening during the 2011 Two Riversides festival!

6. Two Riversides Film and Art Festival

10|01|2012

We invite you to the next Two Riversides, an international film and art event which brings together all the fields that are the inspiration of the 10th Muse. The festival will be taking place from 28th of July to the 5th of August 2012.

During the festival we are presenting valuable Polish and foreign films (premieres, important films from last year and pictures which played a key role in the development of world cinema), as well as performances, exhibitions and concerts. The previous festivals have proven to attract both  audience and the media, gaining numerous enthusiastic reviews. We would like to thank our viewers for being interested in and present at the festival in the previous years. We are also counting on you this year!

Rykarda!

11|10|2011

Rykarda Parasol performed on the 5th of August in Kazimierz Dolny, during this year’s Two Riversides Film and Art Festival. The tickets have been sold out in a flash. We have even had visits from desperate fans who could not understand how it was possible that there were no tickets left! Rykarda Parasol performed in the Perła Festival Club (patio of SARP), and she was accompanied by young Polish musicians lead by pianist Marcin Partyka.



Rykarda Parasol, the mistress of Rock Noir, American singer, daughter of a Swedish immigrant and a Polish Jew. Compared to PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, and Johnny Cash, among others. Like the latter, she also gives concerts in prisons. | SEE PHOTOS

Parasol challenges our stereotypical ideas of about what a woman is allowed to do in music. She is an artist who satisfies our greatest demands that aim far beyond the context of pop music. Her next album is to be released in 2012.

photos:  Tomasz Stokowski

Oscar for „Montevideo”?

08|10|2011

We would like to draw your attention to an exceptional project produced in Serbia by  Intermedia Network: “Montevideo, God Bless You!”. It encompasses a TV series, a feature length film, a documentary, exhibitions and a series of fringe events, and book publishing. Its goal is to commemorate 80 years of the FIFA World Cup which was first held in 1930 in Montevideo, and the victory of the Serbian football team during that event.



As the authors of the project claim – we need to remove the dust of oblivion and show the new generation of football players the events that initiated the football epic, and also draw the world’s attention to this “small Balkan nation with a great warrior tradition.”

In the audience plebiscite, the “Montevideo, Bog te video” feature (directed by Dragan Bjelogrlić) has been chosen the best film at the Two Riversides Film and Art Festival 2011. We announced the results on the 8th of August. With the end of August it was chosen, almost unanimously, by the Serbian Academy of Film Art and Science as the Serbian Oscar candidate. The Academy Awards will be awarded in February 2012 for the 84th time.

Obituary of professor Maria Kornatowska

01|10|2011

Maria Kornatowska (1935-2011) Outstanding film critic, essayist, lecturer at PWSFTviT Film School in Łódź, author of such books as “Fellini” or “Magic and Money” (“Magia i pieniądze”) – an extensive interview with Agnieszka Holland. She used to write for such magazines as “Kwartalnik Filmowy,” “Film,” “Tygodnik Powszechny” and the monthly “Kino.” Honoured with the Polish Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award. She was laid to rest at the Old Cementery in Łódź on the 26th of August 2011. 

She was there with us at Two Riversides, smiling, kind, full of enthusiasm during the meetings with our audience. She talked about Italian cinema, Rosselini and her beloved Anna Magnani in a beautiful, vivid, exceptionally interesting way. She shared her knowledge and anecdotes with us, her passion for art and film creators. When she spoke, everybody listened. Without Her it will be completely different.

Grażyna Torbicka

photos: Tomasz Stokowski

Results of the AUDIENCE POLL

08/08/2011

The 5th Film and Art Festival Two Riversides Audience Award has been awarded to the popular Serbian actor Dragan Bjelogrlic for his debut as a director, the film MONTEVIDEO.

The top ten consists of:

1. Montevideo, Bog te vide 4,62
2. Mama Africa 4,57
3. Slum Symphony, A 4,54
4. Trans-Action | Trans-Akcja 4,42
5. ex aequo Heritage | Księstwo and Service Entrance | Les Femmes du 6ème étage 4,39
6. Father, Son & Holy Cow | Święta krowa 4,37
7. We Need to Talk About Kevin 4,33
8. Passione 4,19
9. Doctors, The | Lekarze 4,16
10. ex aequo Mole, The | Kret and If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle | Eu cand vreau sa fluier, fluier 4,14

Results of the INDEPENDENT SHORT FILMS COMPETITION

06/08/2011

The jury of the Independent Short Films Competition, consisting of: Jacek Górecki, Agata Faryniarz, Agnieszka Woźnica, Beata Białecka, Kacper Paczkowski, Hubert Skonieczka, Joanna Monowid, Joanna Klewenhagen, Justyna Nurkowska, Ewa Wildner, Marcin Cyranowski, Patryk Jarosz, Angelica Baczyńska, Anna Charzewska, Joanna Kruszyńska, Maria Olszewska, Michał Lewandowski, Anastazja Bierzgalska, Zyta Kopeć, Monika Kręcisz – has awarded the following distinctions and prizes:

A distinction and a 1000 PLN award to Massimo Cappelli, author of “41,” for a gripping, original script which is a journey into the depths of one’s own self.

A distinction and a 1000 PLN award to Natalia Brożyńska, author of “Shivering trunks,” for remarkable frame-by-frame animation, whose hand-made elements of scenery and a touching script take the viewer into a world full of tolerance and friendship.

The Main Prize – 3000 PLN – to Marcin Bortkiewicz, author of “Drawn from memory,” for an original combination of many film genres, wherein the world of fiction mixes with harsh reality, and for the outstanding role of the grandma, performed by Irena Jun.

The Spectator award – the cinema distribution of two short films before the film “Corridor” from October 28th – to “Shivering trunks” by Natalia Brożyńska and “Noise” by Przemysław Adamski.

Mr. Rossellini, we are reaching shore!

06/08/2011

Our festival journey to Italy is slowly becoming a fact. The films presented in the Viaggio in Italia cycle ought to make Kazimierz Dolny retain the Mediterranean climate. This year’s Two Riversides presented as many as fourteen films by Italians, including the works of the master himself – Roberto Rossellini, considered the chief creator of Italian neorealism. We will have the opportunity to see his film “Viaggio In Italia” today at the PGE Cinema at 10AM.

Paulina Świątek