directed by Wojciech Smarzowski, drama, 99 min, eng subtitles
with Arkadiusz Jakubik, Marian Dziędziel, Bartłomiej Topa, Kinga Preis
The second film by Wojciech Smarzowski is as brilliant and unforgettable as Wesele (Wedding) we showed at the Festival in 2008. We meet the same actors in the rural Poland setting again - but this time in the dark times of the beginning of the 80's. The film tells two parallel stories. The first, dating back to 1978, is told by the main character, Środoń, and concerns one terrible night in a strangers'house which changed his life forever. The second story takes us to 1981 when Środoń, accused of a murder, is brought to the crime scene in order to clear out some details. But Środoń is only a puppet in a complicated game. For some of the investigators, uncovering the truth is not as important as hiding their own secrets.
The Dark House has been called by some critics "the Polish Fargo". But Smarzowski goes further: in contrary to Coen Brothers' film, the Dark House lacks any kind of hope. Incredible story: a tragic coincidence of love, despair, greed and politics - when you enter into the dark house there is only one thing you can be sure of - there's no such thing as truth.
Awards:
Gdynia Film Festival 2009 (Best Director, Script and Editing)
Warsaw Film Festival 2009 (Audience Award)
Camerimage Festival 2009 (Silver Frog for Best Cinematography)
'Orzeł' Polish Film Awards 2010 (Best Director, Best Cinematography)