Pawlikowski's Cold War wins Golden Lions in Gdynia
Polish-British director Paweł Pawlikowski's Cold War (Zimna Wojna) won the Golden Lions award for Best Film at the 43rd Film Festival which ended in Gdynia (northern Poland) on Saturday.
Cold War’ follows the story of two mismatched lovers of different temperaments and backgrounds, whose complex and nigh-on impossible relationship is written in destiny.
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War in 1950s Poland, Berlin, Yugoslavia and Paris, the story revolves around a tour by the popular Polish folk music and dance ensemble Mazowsze, which was originally founded by the Ministry of Culture of the Polish post-war communist government in 1948.
Pawlikowski won the Palme d'Or for best director at the 71st International Film Festival in Cannes for the Cold War.
The film is defined as the most personal work of Paweł Pawlikowski, as 'clearly Polish' and as the most universal at the same time. The director left Poland when he was 10. Cold War is dedicated to his parents - the main characters, Zula and Wiktor, are named after them.
The Silver Lions went to Filip Bajon's The Butler (Kamerdyner), a love story spanning the years 1900-1945, set against the background of the tumultuous history of the Kashubian region and the von Krauss family.
The Platinum Lions, a lifetime achievement award, was granted to director Jerzy Skolimowski.
The people's choice award went to Wojciech Smarzowski's The Clergy (Kler).
More than 130 films were screened at this year's festival, including 16 productions competing for the Golden Lions.(PAP)
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