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Reviews
Bogowie (2014)
Hidden treasure
I did not expect much from the movie and only decided to watch it out of respect to Zbigniew Religa. The only drawback is footage from real surgeries on open heart, and this may be too graphic for some viewers to stomach. The viewer will find it hard to observe the action from the back seat as the whole plot evolves like Bolero by Ravel.
It starts rather slow, in casual manner, just to turn up a notch every once a while. The production crew faced quite a challenge since most viewers knew what happened in real life, and what the final outcome was. In this respect the challenge was met with a great performance, especially by the main character. Just like in Bolero the movie ends with a high note, leaving the audience in awe.
Ida (2013)
King is naked seems to be a good title
So as we know the movie received an Oscar. Does it mean this movie is that good? Certainly not for me, and I am against majority who allowed be be led by a certain syndrome.
During many plane crashing investigations the captain's mistake turned out to be a major factor. Even the crew witnessing something very wrong does not intervene, after all he is in charge so he must know better. Same thing with TV's "talking heads". Certainly these people must be wiser than most, they are on TV, right?
Similar situation is with awards. We tend to think all movies awarded must be the best, and we take it without much criticism.
This is what I don't like about Ida. The overall plot is really attractive, and not too far from reality. As a matter of fact many Jewish children were saved from certain death by Polish organizations, arranging a new identity and placements with Polish families and orphanages run by Catholic Church. In this respect Jewish girl turning nun is not an absurd at all. A talented screen play writer can develop a fascinating story and drama. What I saw what something a bit weird, and not very believable at all. Although making the movie in black and white is an excellent choice, as it describes quite dreadful time in post war Poland, this is still a movie, not a series of photos (outstanding ones I must admit. Having the attributes of superior picture and intriguing plot Ida fells short miserably. Some scenes look unfinished, others refuse to soar after a decent dramatic buildup. There is also a conspiracy theory which divided Poles as some refused to celebrate the award. With quite a few flaws many will start to ponder whether "the king is naked"?
Miasto 44 (2014)
Not another war movie
My both parents took an active part in Warsaw Uprising, and growing up in Warsaw I absorbed a whole lot of facts and points of view from the rest of my family, neighbors, books,newspapers, TV, and other movies about the Uprising. For the obvious reason this movie is very personal to me, and for the most part took me really close to the image of the events I've had since my childhood. The love triangle is not too important to me, as it could be replaced with another situation, typical for young people of this age. The battle scenes are extremely gruesome, but seem to be closer to reality than many war movies will show you. My uncle was cut in half by the bomb blast and the family could only bury the body from the waist down. My father was moving through the sewage system, full of stench from dead bodies and rats feasting on the corpses. Once he emerged he was not able to talk at all for several months. My parents were as young and full of life as the characters in the movie, and although love was definitely not a priority back then, the youth and all the things associated was a dominant factor. So this is how this movie talks to me - the youth is such an incredible force, it allows a man to go through Dante's hell.
Poklosie (2012)
Not a propaganda but used as such
Unfortunately this movie was used as propaganda tool from two opposite sides. I'd recommend not to seek any relationship to any facts as you won't find any. Simply enjoy the movie for what was created - an artistic value with universal message.
I was not aware of Poland banning this movie. As a matter of fact there were some Poles (too many) that sold out Jews to Germans. There were many (too many)Poles executed along with the whole family for hiding Jews.
In Yad Vashem majority of trees, symbolizing those who saved Jews, have Polish names. As a matter of fact most of these trees symbolize Polish families. It should be many, many more, but some Poles decided to take an award from God, never from people.
My father was risking his life by smuggling grain in a street car passing through ghetto. The bags were hidden in the motor compartment and at some secluded spots he was ripping these bags open. Little kids were swarming around grain and quickly filling their cans. For them it was the only meal the whole family could have. I don't think he ever heard "thank you" for doing it, however he enjoyed living the life of a decent man.