53 Wars / 53 wojny
Poland 2018
Directed by Ewa Bukowska , drama, 79 min, eng subtitles
Written by Ewa Bukowska (based on a book by Grażyna Jagielska)
With Magdalena Popławska, Michał Żurawski, Kinga Preis, Dorota Kolak, Krzysztof Stroiński
53 Wars is based on the autobiographical novel by Grażyna Jagielska and her life with a renowned war correspondent – Wojciech Jagielski. Anka (Magdalena Popławska) and Witek (Michał Żurawski) are a married couple, deeply in love. He spends most of the year travelling around the world to conflict zones. The film focuses on Anka who stays at home anxiously awaiting his return, trying to lead a normal life while Witek is often unreachable for weeks. She develops an ever stronger fear of losing her beloved husband, in what eventually turns into a second-hand post-traumatic breakdown. Critically acclaimed at Karlovy Vary Film Festival, from the director-actress Ewa Bukowska, 53 Wars is an impressive psychological drama carried by Popławska's extraordinary performance, about deep love and unique war heroism outside of a conflict zone.
Awards
Karlovy Vary IFF 2018 (East of the West competition)