09/11/2007

While screenwriter and documentary filmmaker Pawel Naroznik finished the screenplay for Today is Friday (Dzisiaj jest piatek) exactly five years ago, today marks the release of his first feature.

The director explains that this delay was primarily due to financial problems and a change of producer. Ultimately produced by Synergia OZE i Metro Films, Today is Friday’s action takes place over one day, as it explores the trials and tribulations of one couple’s life together.

"My film reveals a certain emotional schizophrenia. The main character leads a double life and for this he clearly has to pay a high price. I show a man living in a world without values. It’s the story of how one man sinks into a world of lies and manipulation", explains the director.

Although the cast of Today is Friday is made up for the most part of newcomers, the director managed to land television stars Malgorzata Kozuchowska and Marcin Dorocinski in the lead roles.

Today is Friday is not the only Polish release of the day. Also hitting screens is Twist of Fate – the new film by well-known actor Jerzy Stuhr, who has appeared in films by Kieslowski, Wajda and Falk and directed titles such as List of Lovers and Tomorrow’s Weather.

Stuhr, seen by critics as bearing witness to the transformations in the mentality of the Polish elite, has this time focused his attention on the “information files” – the controversial practice of updating the lists of real or potential collaborators of the communist regime’s secret service. Against this political background, Stuhr depicts a love story tinged by lies, betrayal and doubt.

Produced by Studio Filmowe Zebra , Telewizja Polsat and Oto Studio Filmowe, the film is distributed by Fundacja Film Polski on 40 screens.

(Translated from French)