The film, set to release on March 8, portrays this controversial topic through the story of two brothers, Jędrek and Maciej Zawrat, who find themselves on opposite sides of a moral and ideological conflict. The first trailer was released on December 18, offering a glimpse into the narrative's dramatic and historical context.
Set in the late 1930s, "White Courage" follows Jędrek Zawrat, a talented mountaineer played by Filip Pławiak, and his love interest Bronka, portrayed by Sandra Drzymalska. The plot thickens as Jędrek, rejected in favor of his brother Maciej (Julian Swieżewski) for Bronka's hand, encounters German scientist Wolfram (Jakub Gierszał). Wolfram's theory of the Highlanders' descent from the Old Germanic tribe further complicates the storyline.
The movie's official description reveals that, upon the outbreak of war, the Germans offer cooperation to Podhale's inhabitants, leading to a division among the Zawrat brothers. While Maciej rejects the offer, Jędrek, swayed by Wolfram, collaborates with the Nazis in a bid to save his community and reclaim his love, Bronka.
Director Marcin Koszałka, a two-time winner of the Best Cinematography Award at the Gdynia Film Festival, brings his cinematic expertise to this feature film. "White Courage" is Koszałka's latest endeavor, following his debut with the thriller "Red Spider" in 2015.
"For hundreds of years, successive rulers tried to use the beauty of highland folklore for their own purposes. 'White Courage' is proof of my respect for the minority group of Polish highlanders who have lived in Podhale for centuries," Koszałka said.
The film has also stirred controversy. The Polish Highlanders' Association expressed concerns over the portrayal of historical events, fearing a misrepresented depiction of the Goralenvolk plot during the German occupation.
The script received consultations with researchers from the Institute of National Remembrance and garnered financial support from the Polish Film Institute.
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Source: PAP