The mock-documentary is a largely played-out genre, all too often used as vehicle for cheap satire or puffed-up intrigue. In their intriguing, intractable debut feature “My Friend the Polish Girl,” however, directing duo — and in turn, to metaphorically reflect on immigrant exploitation in Brexit-era Britain. If that sounds like a lot to take on, it is: Announcing itself as a truth-seeking character study of lonely, London-based Polish actor Alicja (in fact played by Aneta Piotrowska), the film grabs at so many thematic strands — further including toxic female friendship, urban alienation and abusive sexual manipulation — that it can’t substantially sort through them all. Still, the attempt is audacious and stimulating.
From its cramped, off-the-cuff shooting style (mostly in washed-out monochrome) to its persuasive ensemble, “My Friend the Polish Girl” mostly pulls off the documentary pretense with wily skill. Still, even viewers coming to it cold may sense something amiss in...
From its cramped, off-the-cuff shooting style (mostly in washed-out monochrome) to its persuasive ensemble, “My Friend the Polish Girl” mostly pulls off the documentary pretense with wily skill. Still, even viewers coming to it cold may sense something amiss in...
- 11/29/2019
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
A faux video diary about a young woman living alone in London casts a compassionate light on migrant workers
Here is a low-budget experiment in metafiction, or quasi-fiction, with a shimmer of anxiety, shot mostly in black and white with periodic excursions into colour and animation – all about a young Polish woman living alone in a London flat, dealing with issues that are never clearly articulated. It often seems like nothing so much as a postmodern, 21st-century version of Polanski’s classic Repulsion.
The film itself appears to be a faux video diary by a (fictional) independent film-maker, recounting her experiences making a documentary about the life of a migrant worker in London. Emma Friedman-Cohen plays Katie, the director, and Aneta Piotrowska gives a bold and interesting performance as Alicja, the Polish woman and part-time actor Katie finds through an audition process. Alicja allows Katie into her life, at least partly through loneliness,...
Here is a low-budget experiment in metafiction, or quasi-fiction, with a shimmer of anxiety, shot mostly in black and white with periodic excursions into colour and animation – all about a young Polish woman living alone in a London flat, dealing with issues that are never clearly articulated. It often seems like nothing so much as a postmodern, 21st-century version of Polanski’s classic Repulsion.
The film itself appears to be a faux video diary by a (fictional) independent film-maker, recounting her experiences making a documentary about the life of a migrant worker in London. Emma Friedman-Cohen plays Katie, the director, and Aneta Piotrowska gives a bold and interesting performance as Alicja, the Polish woman and part-time actor Katie finds through an audition process. Alicja allows Katie into her life, at least partly through loneliness,...
- 7/18/2019
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Following its festival run, “My Friend the Polish Girl” will be released in British movie theaters next month and in the U.S. later this year. A first full trailer gives a glimpse of the film within a film, which is set in the aftermath of the U.K. voting to leave the European Union.
It follows a young American documentary maker, Katie (Emma Friedman-Cohen), who is making an experimental film about a young Polish actress, Alicja (Aneta Piotrowska), and the life of migrants in London after the 2016 Brexit referendum.
As more emerges about both subject and filmmaker, the two women challenge each other, and questions are asked about power and control over another person’s intimate moments.
The movie was a best feature nominee at the Edinburgh and Rotterdam film festivals last year. It was written and directed by U.K.-based Polish duo Ewa Banaszkiewicz and Mateusz Dymek...
It follows a young American documentary maker, Katie (Emma Friedman-Cohen), who is making an experimental film about a young Polish actress, Alicja (Aneta Piotrowska), and the life of migrants in London after the 2016 Brexit referendum.
As more emerges about both subject and filmmaker, the two women challenge each other, and questions are asked about power and control over another person’s intimate moments.
The movie was a best feature nominee at the Edinburgh and Rotterdam film festivals last year. It was written and directed by U.K.-based Polish duo Ewa Banaszkiewicz and Mateusz Dymek...
- 6/20/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
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