Recontres Cinématographiques d’Aix en Provence held at the turn of November and December is aimed at creating an atmosphere of feast for all short film lovers. Every year the festival screens films of various genres – starting from animations and experimental productions ending on fiction films and documentaries – all fitting into frames established by the short film cathegory. Those are not strict limits as they are not defining one specific film type or genre and what’s even more important they do not determine expression and artistic message. The diverse programme of above mentioned French Festival shows how varied is the short production worlwide. This year in Aix-en-Provence the audience was given a chance of watching not only european shorts but also many films from Asia and Africa.
Three Polish films found themselves in the group of screened titles: documentary „Behind the Fence” by Marcin Sauter and two fiction films „Birthday” directed by Jenifer Malmqvist and „Real” by Rafał Samusik, who was awarded „Prix Cinecourts”in recognition of his work.
Script for Samusik’s film was based on the short story „Flame behind the window” and corresponds to the tenth Commandment: ‘You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods’. Film tells the story of Anna – a mother of 16-year-old Adaś dying of cancer – who is desperately searching both in real and virtual worlds to find a cure for her son’s disease.
Rafal Samusik graduated from Krzysztof Kieślowski Radio and Television Department at University of Silesia in Katowice. He is an author of a documentary „War Games” which has been shown at many film festivals in Poland and abroad.
More information on festival can be found at www.festivaltouscourts.com