Play Poland
presents in Liverpool the Polish independent cinema
ON 15 September 201, Play
Poland Film Festival, the first mobile festival of Polish cinema in
Great Britain, came to Liverpool where it will be held until 15
December and it will finish its journey across Britain. For the time
being we are offered prestigious short film screenings divided into
thematic sessions which are still being shown in Liverpool but also
in Oxford where the festival will come already on 10 October 2011
and it will stay there until 1 November 2011.
The repertoire presented in Liverpool consists of the examples of
Polish independent cinema the cross section of which, prepared
specially for the needs of Play Poland, includes the best projects
of the last four years, shown at one of the most important festivals
in Poland for this film genre, Filmowa Góra.
Polish independent cinema emerged in the crack created in the tough
post-communist forest of concrete. In the very centre of communist
tower block districts covered on a large scale in 1990s with
“windows on the world” in the form of satellite dishes, the
new form of subculture appeared at that time, off film maker. Today
off cinema is not only a dissent but above all a good cinema. Many
films presented as part of Play Poland festival were awarded at
prestigious festivals in the country and abroad and such names as:
Rakowicz, Matwiejczyk, Lipiec, Jóźwiak-Rodan or Rosłaniec are
aspiring to become an icon of young Polish cinema. All the more we
are glad to have the possibility to present them to Polish and
British audience in Britain within Play Poland festival – says Bruno
Kieć, independent cinema expert and the organizer of Filmowa Góra
festival.
During film screenings in Liverpool divided into
thematic sessions which includes a documentary, a quasi-documentary
film, animation, experimental film, student film etudes and Fabula
Rasa session, even the most demanding audience will find something
for themselves.
From among the presented independent films the intimate picture
Mama, tata, Bóg i szatan (Mum, dad, God and Satan) by Paweł
Jóźwiak-Rodan deserves particular recommendation. Searching for his
own roots and identity the author tells the story of his parents who
don’t maintain any contact since the divorce, they don’t even talk
to each other. He wonders how people with diametrically different
opinions and attitudes to life, presenting such opposing values
could even for a moment think about starting a family. The film
presents two diametrically different worldview visions which are
related both to religion and the own political option at the same
time uncovering a family story which has been taking place for years
in the face of the director. The picture was awarded in 2009 a Grand
Prix of Filmowa Góra and it was awarded at festivals in Warsaw, Łódź,
Poznań and Madrid.
The strong quasi-documentary by Marek Tomasz
Pawłowski – Uciekinier (The Runaway) will also surely attract the
viewer’s attention. The film tells a story of Kazimierz Piechowski,
prisoner number 918 preparing a daring plan of escape from the
Auschwitz “hell of death”. The stake in this game is not only the
death escapees, but also the death of co-prisoners. Piechowski tells
in front of the camera about the nightmare of the concentration
camps times and the struggle against the Nazis in a unit of the Home
Army (AK) for which after the war he was imprisoned by the communist
authorities. The documentary is supplemented by rich archive
materials mixed with pictures taken in the present times.
Screenings in the final city of Play Poland festival’s journey
across Great Britain are without doubt a feast for the fans of the
animation and the experimental movie. The list of screenings shown
as part of the festival includes the leading young Polish artists of
these genres among whom there are such names worth mentioning as:
Natalia Dziedzic, Jakub Wroński, Tomasz Pawlak or Agata Szuba.
All screenings within Play Poland festival in Liverpool will take
place in Kensington Community Fire Station and the entrance will be
free of charge.
Play Poland Film Festival visited Great Britain on 2 August 2011, in
order to start its journey through 6 British cities:- Glasgow,
Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, Oxford and Liverpool, where it will
be finished on 15 December 2011.
Among the media partners of the festival are:- Apsik.co.uk, Dziennik
Polski, Emito.net, Filmweb.pl, Goniec Polski, Ipla, KobietaWUK.Info,
Londynek.net, Panorama, Polemi.co.uk, Polish Express and TVP Kultura.
The festival is supported by numerous prestigious institutions and
culture patrons, among others: the Consulate General of the Republic
of Poland in Edinburgh, Richard Demarco – one of the most prominent
Scottish critics of the contemporary art, professor Zbigniew
Pelczynski from Pembroke College University of Oxford, Steve Woods –
a film artist and a lecturer at IDAT National Film School in Dun
Laoghaire, Aidan Hickey – a member of Cartoon European Association
of Animation Film and Huston School of Film in Galway. More
information about the programme of the event, places of film
screenings and availability of the tickets can be found on their
website and festival’s fan page
on Facebook.
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Student
nominated for highlighting issues in gay community
JOHN Hyland, who is on the
BA (Hons) Television Production Management programme, has been
nominated for Seen Magazine’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
(LGBT) Young Person of the Year Media Award.
The 20 year old is in the running for the accolade for his video
blogs highlighting issues affecting the gay scene in Liverpool and
for his promotional work with the GBar in the city centre, which is
a popular clubbing venue for the LGBT community.
He said:- “When I found out that I had been shortlisted for
this award I was over the moon because this is such a prestigious
magazine within the gay community. I’m so glad that my work is being
recognised for making a difference. I see myself as a LGBT advocate
and feel very strongly about the issues and campaigns I highlight
through my blogs and videos. I’m very passionate about so many
challenges facing the LGBT community and I’m pleased that I’m being
acknowledged for bringing these debates into the public domain. Even
though we have come a long way over the years, there is still so
much ignorance and misunderstanding around homosexuality and there
is still fear and homophobia. I believe that education and raising
awareness is so important in dispelling some of the myths around
being gay, which is what I try to focus on.”
John has been utilising the skills he has been learning on the
course at Edge Hill University to ensure that his videos and other
promotional material are produced to a professional standard.
He explained:- “The course has been brilliant in helping me to
carry out this work, allowing me to focus on everything from film
shooting, editing, interviewing and using various forms of social
media to communicate. My tutors have been so supportive and have
really encouraged me to progress. They were delighted to find out
I’d been shortlisted for this award and are keeping their fingers
crossed that I win.”
Supporters can vote for John by visiting the Young Person of the
Year Media Award
website. He will find out
whether he’s the winner at a special awards ceremony on 13 October
2011.
Celebrate Manchester Food & Drink Festival at The Printworks!
THE Printworks is proud to
be a partner of The Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2011 due to
kick off in spectacular style on 7 October 2011. Running
a series of events throughout the festival, The Printworks will
highlight some of the best international food and drink in
Manchester. There are over 12 foodie venues to choose from including
traditional home cooked food from owner-run restaurants such as Papa
G’s and authentic Irish fayre at Waxy O’ Connor’s. It's not just
food The Printworks is famous for, we also have some wonderful bars
and entertainment too so if you just fancy a pint of real ale and a
quick bite to eat; perhaps a few cheeky cocktails with nibbles or
even to kick your heels up for some live music dancing then we've
got it all. Phil Jones, Director of Manchester’s Food and
Drink Festival said:- “We are delighted that the Printworks
have got involved with us this year. The Printworks is famous for
drinking and entertainment but sometimes gets overlooked as
somewhere great to dine so we’d like to help it get back onto the
‘foodie’ map. There are some fantastic places in there that serve
delicious food and the Festival’s all about giving everyone the
recognition they deserve.”
Special events not to miss include - The International Food Fair on
Friday, 14 October 2011 from 12pm to 2pm and on Saturday, 15 October
2011 from 12pm to 6pm. Bringing together the very best food
from across the globe courtesy of our restaurants, all specialising
in different world tastes; Including Irish, Mexican, American,
Greek, French and Japanese cuisines. There will also be live
entertainment and music reflective of these different nationalities
to accompany the feasting!
HJB Rackin’ Rib’s Speed Eating Challenge with Sale Sharks on Sunday,
16, October, 1pm to 3pm. Great family fun with the Sale Sharks
rugby players to raise money for the Sharks Community Trust. Rugby
fans and big-eaters alike can join in with the challenge by taking
part in a competition to see who can eat a rack of ribs in the
quickest time (beware of the bones!). The Sharks will be
spurring on contestants to crown one fast eater the glorious winner
with the champion prize of a family meal at Henry J Beans and a
family ticket to the Printworks Odeon cinema.
Lloyds Real Ale Festival over 5 October to 23 October 2011.
This real-ale festival, Lloyds will be featuring five American craft
ales. As usual, there are plenty of new and special brews to try, as
well as a fine selection of some old favourites and many beers
brewed especially for the festival. In the previous few festivals,
they've featured brewers from all around the world, including those
from America. This time, they thought it a great idea to
feature only American brewers, owing to the increasing popularity
and excitement surrounding the American craft brewing scene. Again,
they will have 10 ciders available during the festival, including
some favourites from our national cider festival, including Healey’s
Texan-Style Cornish Hard Cyder and Black Dragon.
Tiger Tiger Cocktail Master Class from 5pm on 12 October and on 13
October 2011. Join the bar team for a free cocktail master
class from 5pm on Wednesday, 12 October and Thursday, 13 October
2011. Enjoy some free samples and a chance to learn the mixology
skills needed for the perfect Cosmopolitan.
There will be lots of other activities and special offers during the
festival so for more information please see the Printworks
website.
Man wanted for
failing to appear in Court
GWENT Police are appealing for information to
trace 43 year old Edwin Smith from the Bargoed area. Edwin Smith is
wanted for failing to appear at Newport court on Tuesday, 4 October
2011. In his absence he was convicted of 13 offences which include
rape, serious sexual assault and physical assault relating to
incidents which occurred between 1985 and 2006. Edwin is described
as white male approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, medium build with
bleach blonde shoulder length hair which was tied in a ponytail.
Police officers are currently undertaking numerous enquiries to
locate Edwin Smith. If anyone sees him or is aware of his
whereabouts, they are advised not to approach him but to contact
them immediately:- 01633 838111 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously
on:- 0800 555 111. |