In Darkness triumphs in Gdynia

by Dorota Hartwich

14/05/2012 - In Darkness by Agnieszka Holland (nominated this year for the Oscar for best film in a foreign language) has swept awards at the 37th Gdynia Film Festival, bagging ten trophies including the Golden Lion Grand Prize for Best Film (and best producer Juliusz Machulski). The feature film (whose story is set during the Second World War) also won Best Director, Best Actress (Agnieszka Grochowska), Best Actor (Robert Więckiewicz), Best Director of Photography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, and Best Make-Up Artist.

Another film set during the Second World War was also awarded: Manhunt by Marcin Krzyształowicz. The war thriller won the Silver Lion for Best Film (and best producer) as well as Best Editing (jointly with In Darkness).

Two important awards went to You Are God by LeszekDawid: Best First Feature and Best Professional Acting Debut for Marcin Kowalczyk. The Jury’s Special Prize was awarded to Crulic – The Path to Beyond by Anca Damian for the courage of its form and content.

Finally, for the first time, the Platinum Lion for a life's achievement did not go to a director this year, but to two directors of photography from the famous "Polish School" in film of the 1950s and 1960s: Jerzy Wójcik (who worked with Hoffman and Kawalerowicz) and Witold Sobociński (who worked on films by Kawalerowicz, Wajda, and Skolimowski).