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.

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.