Three Polish documentaries made it to the final selection of this year’s edition of Open City Docs that was held between 20th and 23rd June. The screening of awarded “The Whistle” proceeded the screening of “A dream in the making” by Bartosz M. Kowalski, while the second short competition – “Rogalik” by Paweł Ziemilski was screened as a part of the experimental programme.
This year Jeremy Irons presided over the festival’s jury. “The Whistle” by Zariczny was announced the Best Short Documentary of the competition that featured 20 films in six programmes. This is the second time when the London audience has a chance of watching the documentary of Zariczny. This year in the end of April the film was screened at Sundance London. It is worth to mention that this is the second lucky year for Poles at Open City Docs Fest. It was last year that Maciej Bochniak received a Special Mention at the festival in recognition of this “Reception”.
The London trophy is the fifth one for Zariczny’s documentary. “The Whistle” is a story of Marcin a young man that comes from a small village near Krakow. The film pictures him from three perspectives – his private life, his work life and his hobby – which is football. In each of these fields he seems to be quite clumsy. He doesn’t rush his way towards adulthood – which his mother doesn’t approve of. She expects him to make life-changing decisions, finding a better job and a wife. Marcin is also a burgeoning football referee – every week he has to bear unrefined comments and remarks about his work, made by players and fans alike of amateur teams.
Film was produced by Munk Studio operating within the structures of Polish Filmmakers Association – in frames of “First documentary” programme.
More on the festival can be found at its official website