Volhynia (Polish Title: Wołyń)

NZ Premiere

Director: Wojciech Smarzowski

War Drama
Poland
2016
Polish, Ukrainian, German, Russian, Yiddish with English subtitles
149 min
Colour
DCP
Rating: R16 Graphic violence, war atrocities, torture & cruelty.

Trailer

Volhynia is a name referring to a historic border region of the former Eastern Borderlands of pre-war Poland, and also a byword for a series of brutal massacres occurring between 1943-1945. Polish auteur Wojtek Smarzowski exposes this region’s chaotic descent into hell through the eyes of Zofia, a young mother, as she struggles  to save her own life and the lives of her children as we witness the unfolding events triggered by the outbreak of WW2. Set against a sea of hatred, Smarzowski explores love in unhuman times and the value of being humane.

Awards

41st  Gdynia Polish Film Festival 2016
Best Cinematography:  Piotr Sobociński jr.
Best Actor’s Debut:  Michalina Łabacz
Best Makeup:  Ewa Drobiec

Eagles 2016 – Awards of the Polish Film Academy
14 nominations – 9 wins:  Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Music, Best Sound, Best Costume, Best Editing, Audience Award

OFF Camera IFF 2017
Best Picture in the Polish Films Competition
Best Actor:  Arkadiusz Jakubik

Golden Film Award of the Polish Chapter of FIPRESCI

Crew

Director: Wojtek Smarzowski
Screenplay: Wojtek Smarzowski
Cinematography: Piotr Sobociński jr. PSC
Art. Director: Marek Zawierucha
Editing: Paweł Laskowski PSM
Music: Mikołaj Trzaska
Producers: Dariusz Pietrykowski, Andrzej Połeć,Feliks Pastusiak

Cast

Michalina Łabacz            
Arkadiusz Jakubik             
Vasili Vasylyk                                                                                             
Adrian Zaremba                  
Lech Dyblik                          
Jacek Braciak                      
Iza Kuna                                                                                                                     

Wojciech Smarzowski

Director Wojciech Smarzowski studied at the Department of Cinematography of the Film School in Lodz and started his career successfully directing music videos and directing several TV dramas and TV series. He debuted as feature film writer and director with The Earlobe in 1998. He also wrote and directed The Wedding (2004), The Dark House (2009) and The Rose (2011). His films have won over close to 100 film festival awards.

Filmography

2016 – “Wołyń” / “Volhynia Screenwriter & Director
2013 – “Anioł” / “The Angel” Screenwriter & Director
2013 – “Drogówka” / ”Traffic Department” Screenwriter & Director
2011 –  “Róża” / “Rose” Director
2009 – “Dom Zły”/ “The Dark House” Screenwriter (co-author) & Director
2004 – “Wesele”/” The Wedding” Screenwriter & Director
1998 – “Malżowina” / The Earlobe  Screenwriter & Director