A jubilee edition of Polish Film Days, the largest recurring showcase of Polish cinema in Ukraine, began in Kyiv and seven other cities, the Polish Institute said, adding the event continues despite Russia’s ongoing invasion.
“During war, culture matters for both countries. Through this festival, as Poland, we show solidarity with Ukraine and that we cannot be indifferent to what is happening here,” said Jarosław Godun, director of the Polish Institute in Kyiv.
Beyond Kyiv, screenings are being held in Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia and Lviv, as well as in front-line or heavily shelled cities Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa and Kharkiv.
Godun said the festival is drawing strong interest. “We are getting information that people are buying tickets and want to watch Polish cinema. This is especially important because screenings are taking place in four frontline cities where the situation is very difficult,” he said.
Organizers emphasized safety measures. “The screening sites are safe. Some cinema halls are literally shelters, and most are very close to shelters,” Godun said.
This year’s lineup features recent Polish productions including “Ludzie” by Maciej Ślesicki and Filip Hillesland; “Kulej. Dwie strony medalu” by Xawery Żuławski; “Biała odwaga” by Marcin Koszałka; “Wróbel” by Tomasz Gąssowski; “Rzeczy niezbędne” by Kamila Tarabura; “Pod szarym niebem” by Mary Tamkovich; “Dziewczyna z igłą” by Magnus von Horn; “Pod wulkanem” by Damian Kocur; and “Chopin, Chopin!” by Michał Kwieciński.
Polish Film Days in Ukraine run through Oct. 14.
(jh)
Source: PAP