Ekran: Crulic

When you are young, the world feels like an innocent place, as you age, reality sets in that you must protect yourself and the ones you love, even if that involves great sacrifice. Through the use of animation, Anca Damian’s Romanian-Polish film; Crulic: The Path to Beyond, tells the story of one man’s desperate attempt to be set free. Sadly, for Claudiu Crulic, the main character in this film, he seems to be destined with a black cloud over his head. The story works its way from his family learning about his death, and then travels backwards to explain his early years. Comparing his life to a bus trip, with many bumps along the way, there are a number of tragedies that he faces, as he emerges into adulthood.

Becoming somewhat of a business man, Claudiu takes on the job of buying cheap goods in Poland and selling them to wealthy Romanians back home. Unfortunately, even though he was en route to Italy when the actual crime took place, since he was a suspect in a similar case several months earlier and deemed to be a criminal, he was now arrested and sentenced to Krakow prison for stealing the wallet of a prominent judge in Poland.

Feeling abandoned by the legal system, in which he should be protected by, Claudiu decides on the first day of his imprisonment that he will go on a hunger strike and continue until he is set free or dies. Along with refusing to eat, he begins to write detailed letters to the Romanian consulate and others, explaining that he has been wrongfully accused, but sadly, he is ignored or replied to with utter defeat. As we see his character greatly deteriorate, keeping track of any correspondence he receives, is the only way to keep any ounce of sanity.

Throughout the whole film, the way Anca uses a mixture of different animation techniques to tell this tale is pretty incredible. Everything from the simplicity of seeing a young child’s heart break while watching their beloved pets pass on to the intimate scenes of what it feels to be trapped in your own hell without a way out. There was also a very strong political stance of the level of corruption that we may close our eyes to because of blindly following the status quo or out of fear of persecution, when one stands up for what is right.

Although utterly tragic because of the injustice on this case, Claudiu is an inspiration to those who never gave up, or gave into the pressures or torture of those in higher positions of power. Yes, his methods were extreme and some may feel that he should have served his sentence as many other prisoners would by bowing down to false accusations, and allowing total submission of his body, mind and soul. Others may feel that he died with dignity and set a precedent for change.

Overall, the film is a reminder of what each of us are capable of enduring as human beings. It shows our strong will to carry on under dire constraints, and the choices that we make, which can result in the betterment of a world of which we are no longer a part.

Ekran: Roza By Any Other Name

The upcoming 4th Annual Ekran Polish Film Festival is taking place in Toronto, during the week of October 25-28th. In honour of celebrating Poland’s cinematic achievements, I was given access to many of these films for review.

I must say that I’ve taken a few days to gain back my emotional composure after watching Roza, directed by Wojciech Smarzowski and written by Michal Szczerbic.

I am deeply touched by many films that I’ve seen over the years, especially ones that involve sacrifice, tragedy and the all encompassing subject of love, but this particular film was one that you really need to view, so you can understand why I needed time to settle my soul.

The world was changed by WWII and although some may not have lived through it or experienced it first hand, the raw exposure you see in the opening sequence is horrifying through any eyes. The film revolves around two main characters, Roza, who is a Masurian peasant, and Tadeusz, a former AK soldier, who develop a bond, more so a love for each other, that tests their strength in every imaginable way.The film is slow-paced and you truly get to delve inside the sadness of both characters, and at times, feel the happiness when life seemed bearable. The courage that Roza has to not be chased out of her own home is unbelievable. The vivid brutality is hard to watch, as you know that the beatings suffered felt so real, and not one you could actually laugh and say was ketchup-induced. Nothing is overly dramatic, but the cinematography brilliantly captured by Piotr Sobocinski Jr is superb. The commitment of acting ability in each and every scene is very evident as well and makes it hard to even turn away.

I will spoil what you probably already know because I feel it’s important to mention. Roza dies. You want to cheer for someone breaking the rules and risking their own life though to help, even if that meant sworn secrecy. Her daughter (who lives in the attic) becomes a pivotal part of the film, as she is the first one to inject medicine into Roza, to help with the suffering. Together, she and Tadeusz experience a joyful day with Roza on the lake fishing, and it feels as if they are a real family. As the film goes on, we realize that Roza’s death is one that is heart-breaking and uplifting at the same time. As her body rests in a wooden coffin, the windows are opened to allow her soul to fly away.

Another journey is now paved out for Tadeusz, and fate deals him the cruellest hand, as he endures the torture that mankind was capable back then. I state “man”kind simply for the fact that his suffering was at the hands of men… men who are vile, disgusting beasts who are brainwashed into a world of hatred.

The ending of Roza brings you to tears. Some may not see it as a happy ending at all. However, given the circumstances, it’s more than what someone could ask for.