Our genre cinema conquers international festivals!
Two productions from the Warsaw Film School: the post-apocalyptic sci-fi „Winter Bloom” directed by Ivan Krupenikov and the epic fantasy film „The Lord of the Woods” directed by Julia Bui qualified for the official selection of the Crystal Palace International Film Festival. The event will take place from March 2-25 in London.
Crystal Palace International Film Festival is one of the most interesting events in London's cultural calendar. Since 2009, the festival has screened titles in nine categories, including short films, sci-fi horror, animation, feature films, music videos and documentaries. After the last edition, CPIFF ranks 8th among the 10,000 best-reviewed film festivals on the Film Freeway platform.
We are extremely proud that it is during such an event that we will have the opportunity to present the genre cinema of the Warsaw Film School to a wider audience. And we definitely have something to boast about, because our creators are getting bolder and are becoming more and more successful in this field.
Stills from the film „The Lord of the Woods”. Cinematographer: Mai Bui
The first at the CPIFF will be screend the grand fantasy story „The Lord of the Woods” by our Postgraduate Directing alumn, Julia Bui. The gripping story of warrior Kriss will be shown on the International Films block on March 4 at 7.30 PM (GMT) at the West Norwood Picturehouse.
Stills from the film „Winter Bloom”. Cinematographer: Piotr Łukasiak
„Winter Bloom” representing the sci-fi genre, taking place in the post-apocalyptic harsh environment of a devastated world, will be shown in the Mid Length Films block. The screening of the production, directed by our Editing graduate, Ivan Krupenikov, will take place on March 9 at 7:30 PM (GMT) at the Everyman Crystal Palace cinema.
We're keeping our fingers crossed for both talented film crews. You're prooving that it's possible to create really good genre cinema in Poland!
Below you will find loglines and a list of the film crews of qualified productions.
WINTER BLOOM
Still from the film „Winter Bloom”. Cinematographer: Piotr Łukasiak
The world is destroyed by an ecological catastrophe. An old mercenary, experiencing severe health problems, looks for a way to retire and finally gets a job that would grant him that. A simple job of escorting a girl from A to B, will uncover a secret that will push our character to reexamine his perspective on the world.
CAST: Tadeusz Ratuszniak, Anna Paliga, Waldemar Dziwniel, Paweł Lawrynowicz, Maria Seweryn, Mikołaj Radwan
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: Ivan Krupenikov DOP: Piotr Łukasiak EDITING: Karol Żbikowski SOUND: Mikołaj Sosnowski MUSIC: Jan Chylak PRODUCTION MANAGER: Karolina Kałakajło ARTISTIC SUPERVISION: Marek Brodzki, Andrzej Jaroszewicz, Zbigniew Niciński PRODUCER: Maciej Ślesicki PRODUCTION: Warsaw Film School, Adelina Borets, Stroom
THE LORD OF THE WOODS
Still from the film „The Lord of the Woods”. Cinematographer: Mai Bui
"The Lord of the Woods" – Warrior Kriss becomes entangled in the story of tragic love between Mojmira-Valdemena and Derwan. The heroes, constantly moved between dimensions, thanks to the magical power of Ouroboros, try to break out of the vicious circle and fix the tragedy; each in its own way.
CAST: Ewa Kasprzyk, Włodek Dembowski, Magdalena Dembowska, Ada Nejman.
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: Julia Bui DOP: Mai Bui EDITING: Julia Bui SOUND: Paweł Uszyński MUSIC: Jarek Jóźwik PRODUCTION MANAGER: Karol Witenberg, Katarzyna Stefanowicz, Julia Bui ARTISTIC SUPERVISION: Radosław Piwowarski PRODUCER: (WFS Jarek Grzymała), Karol Witenberg, Siostry Bui PRODUCTION: (WFS Jarek Grzymała), Karol Witenberg, Siostry Bui
Films by students of the Warsaw Film School are co-financed by the Polish Film Institute