Golden and Silver Lions won at Gdynia Film Festival
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
21.09.2015 16:05
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In conversation with this year's winners.
The 40th Gdynia Film Festival wrapped up over the weekend and this year, the coveted Golden Lions award went to Małgorzata Szumowska for her film 'Body', a tale of loss and reconciliation laced with black humour.
Director Małgorzata Szumowska with her Golden Lions award. Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa
The Silver Lions went to veteran director Janusz Majewski for his comedy 'The Eccentrics: The Sunny Side of the Street ', an unlikely cocktail set in the 1950s, inspired by his love of swing.
While picking up the prize, Majewski encouraged Polish film-makers to experiment with upbeat films more often, noting the long-running predilection for dark themes.
Our correspondent Nick Hodge spoke with both directors.
Director Janusz Majewski collects the Silver Lions award. Photo: PAP/ Adam Warżawa
The Gdynia Film Festival provides the most prestigious annual showcase of new Polish movies, and 18 films competed for the Golden Lions this year.
The finale was overshadowed by the sudden death on Friday night of director Marcin Wrona, whose film 'Demon' was competing in the main competition. As a result, the festival organisers prepared a special tribute to the director during the closing ceremony. No red carpet was used this year, out of repect for the late film-maker.