Awarded since 1988 by the members of the European Film Academy, the European Film Awards are the most prestigious awards given to European films, considered the equivalents of the American Oscar. The current head of the academy is Agnieszka Holland, who replaced Wim Wenders in this position. The first winner of the award was Krzysztof Kieślowski for A Short Film About Killing. Several Polish films had received these nominations – and often won.
Communion by Anna Zamecka or Piotr Stasik’s 21 x New York – Polish documentaries that were nominated to and even received the Academy Award (Communion) may soon be joined by Paweł Łoziński’s The Balcony Movie. The production has just been included on the prestigious shortlist of thirteen documentaries to make it to the final pool of films nominated for the European Awards. The film which receives the highest number of votes from Academy members, and thus the nomination, will be announced on 8 November. Winners will be revealed on 10 December during the awards gala in Reykjavik.
The documentary by Paweł Łoziński seeks to answer the questions of whether everyone can be a film protagonist, whether the entire world can be contained within a single frame? Director Paweł Łoziński watches people from his balcony. Both young and old, they walk by smiling, sad, thoughtful, staring at their phones. Residents of the neighbourhood, or casual visitors, ordinary passers-by. The author approaches them, asks questions, talks about their life and how they’re doing. Standing there with his camera for over 2 years, he created a place for dialogue, a secular confessional where everyone can stop and tell others about themselves. Every person carries their own riddles and secrets. They can’t be easily labelled. Everyone’s story is unique and life can’t be imagined. The Balcony Movie is a radical return to the early days of cinema, when it was people who would approach the camera. Perhaps one just needs to stop and stay a while to see more?
The film is produced by Lozinski Production and co-produced by HBO Max and Mazowiecki Fundusz Filmowy. KFF Sales&Promotion is the international sales agent responsible primarily for the film’s overseas distribution and festival promotion.
Paweł Łoziński – born in 1965 in Warsaw. Director, screenwriter, producer of documentaries and feature films. Graduated from the Łódź Film School. Author of many documentary films, including: Birthplace (1992), Taka historia (1999), Sisters (1999), Across the Border: Five Views from Neighbours (2004), Wygnańcy (2005), Kici, kici (2008), Chemo (2009), Father and Son (2013), and Werka (2014). Winner of prestigious festival awards, including in Bornholm, Paris, Leipzig, and Kraków.
A list of all selected titles can be found here.