LOGLINE
During the production of the play based on Aristophanes’ „Birds” three artist friends need to take responsibility for the roles they play in their social microcosm. In the meantime, an unusual post-hipster melodrama unfolds.
Synopsis
The first Polish post-hipster melodrama, in which Matylda, Helena and Juri need to take responsibility for the roles they play in their social microcosm. During the production of the play based on Aristophanes’ „Birds” the three artist friends face the painful truth about themselves. Someone regrets abandoning someone. Someone seduces the director of the play, because they believe in polyamory. Somebody thinks that the war has never ended and one must never surrender. Someone else claims that it’s all about how you fall and you should know how to drop. And in the meantime, somebody decides to express an unusual declaration of love.
Pierwszy polski posthipsterski melodramat, w którym Matylda, Helena i Juri muszą wziąć odpowiedzialność za role, które pełnią w swoim towarzyskim mikrokosmosie. W trakcie realizacji spektaklu na podstawie „Ptaków” Arystofanesa, troje artystów – przyjaciół mierzy się z bolesną prawdą o samych sobie. Ktoś żałuje, że kogoś porzucił. Ktoś uwodzi reżysera spektaklu, bo wyznaje teorię wielomiłości. Ktoś uważa, że wojna nigdy się nie skończyła i nie wolno się poddawać. Ktoś inny twierdzi, że cała sztuka w tym, jak się upada i że trzeba umieć się przewrócić. A w międzyczasie, ktoś zdobywa się na tajemnicze, miłosne wyznanie.
LADY BIRD EULEPIDESNESS
But why do we do it? Trapesing up and down,
Backward and forward, like two shuttlecocks,
With no sense? It’ll be the death of us.
Chorus of birds
This friend, like an unstable bird in flight, how wickedly he deceived you. Woe betide you as he led you into the field. He trampled the law, he betrayed the secret. To retreat with honour, one must listen to the worst enemy of the council…
Pithetaerus
I don’t know where on earth we are by now.
Could you ever find your fatherland again?
It takes a real gang to make a movie
Authors
Justyna
Nowak
Writer & Director
Szymon
Kluz
Director of Photography
Tomasz
Ciesielski
Executive producer / Editor
Beata Borowska Marta Pogoda
Set designers
Anna
Czarnota
Costume designer
Agnieszka Ptaszyńska
Associate Producer
FORXST
Music
CRIM3S
MUSIC
Director's Bio
Justyna Nowak (81’) is a Polish screenwriter and director. She completed the MA programme in film directing at the Polish National Film School in Lodz. Known for her feature short "Ważki / Dragonflies" which took part in the competition of the 64th Biennale di Venezia, where it was nominated for the Prix UIP of the European Film Academy. "Dragonflies" took part in important competitions at international film festivals including Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Cork, Leeds, Encounters in Bristol, Dresden. "Dragonflies" won prizes for Best European Short and Best Cinematography at Raindance Film Festival in London. Her films are mainly comedy-dramas with elements of absurdity and surrealism, inspired by the French and Czech New Wave. They often portray a strong female character and dive into the social themes of women's issues. Her last production - "Beauty" was a postfeminist, experimental film with elements of theatre. She also pursues her passion for screenwriting for animated films like "The Rabbit's Case" and "The Mystery of the Malakka Mountain" which was on the Oscar’s shortlisted after winning Grand Prix and Best Screenplay at Brno16 Film Festival. She also writes theatre plays. An alumna of Berlinale Talents.
MELODRAMA
One of the oldest film genres derived from the literary and theatrical tradition. It is distinguished by an attractive plot telling, a story of great love connecting a pair of unique heroes, full of obstacles, suffering, often ending in the death of one or both of them. A master of the genre was Wojciech Jerzy Has with his film "How to Be Loved" starring Barbara Krafftówna.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
The film had its international premiere during the 74th International Film Festival Berlinale 2024 at the European Film Market. The screening took place in the main festival venue - CinemaxX Studio on the 21st of February 2024.
It takes a real gang to make a movie
CAST
Monika Roszko
Matylda
Eryk Kulm Jr
Juri
Agnieszka Skrzypczak
Helena / Iris
Jędrzej Wielecki
Pistetajros
Piotr Siwek
Vincent Brovkin / Director
Mariusz Bonaszewski
ZBIG
Judyta Paradzińska
Jadwiga
Jakub Sasak
Zeus
Izabela Perez
Lady Bird Eulepidesness
Jacek Cholewa
Director's Assistant
Antek Żach
Music school student
In memory of
BIONULOR
MUSIC composer
We will greatly miss you and your fascinating, experimental, psychodelic and recycled music.
Thank you and see you somewhere else, dear friend.
02.02.2022 will stay as special as were you.
THANKS TO
our co-producers
Our partners
Gallery
