virtual 2020
FREE SPECIAL EVENT
A December Film Program
The Polish Film Festival Miami, in partnership with the Embassy of Poland in Washington, D.C., invites you once more to enjoy three recent movies from Poland.
This year we celebrate the centennial of the decisive Polish victory at the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, as well as the 40th anniversary of the inception of the Solidarity movement, events that changed the course of world history. Travel back in time and meet Jan Zieja in Truth Makes Free, a legendary priest, freedom activist
and a witness to Poland’s history in the twentieth century, from the Polish - Bolshevik War and World War II,
to the Solidarity movement and the democratic transformation of 1989. History buffs will also enjoy The War of the Worlds, a documentary based on reconstructed and colorized archival footage that tells the story
of the Polish-Bolshevik War and the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, an important yet often overlooked turning point
in history.
For those interested in discovering the world of Polish jazz, our December program will also include the award-winning Icarus. The Legend of Mietek Kosz about one of the greats of Polish jazz – Mieczysław Kosz. The prodigious pianist continues to inspire the world’s giants of jazz, including Leszek Możdżer, who composed and performed the film’s stellar score.
We hope that fans of our successful film screening Stories From Behind the Iron Curtain and other online movie series presented this year by the PFFMiami and the Embassy of Poland in Washington, D.C., as well as new viewers, will join us on this cinematic journey through Polish history and culture as this unprecedented year draws to an end.
PROGRAM
12/4 – 7
Icarus. The Legend of Mietek Kosz (2019)
Directed by Maciej Pieprzyca
12/8 – 21
War of the Worlds (documentary, 2020)
Directed by Mirosław Bork, Krzysztof Talczewski
12/11 – 14
Truth Makes Free (2020)
Directed by Robert Gliński
DECEMBER 04 - 07
Icarus.
The Legend
of Mietek Kosz
Ikar. Legenda Mietka Kosza
Directed by Maciej Pieprzyca
Poland, 2019
122 minutes
with English subtitles
Inspired by the true story of the piano genius, Mietek (Mieczyław) Kosz (1944-1973). As a child, Mietek (Dawid Ogrodnik) loses his eyesight, and his mother places him in The Educational Center in Laski outside of Warsaw, a one-hundred-year-old school for the visually impaired. There, he discovers music and its power to help him cope with the world. Soon after developing into an excellent classical pianist, however, he discovers the soothing sounds of jazz. Mietek becomes successful not only in Poland, but around the world, winning the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. Unexpectedly, a charismatic vocalist, Zuza (Justyna Wasilewska), walks into his life, a meeting that will change his life forever.
december 08-21
War of the Worlds
Wojna Światów
Directed by
Mirosław Bork, Krzysztof Talczewski
Poland, 2020
80 minutes
with English subtitles
This documentary film is based on reconstructed and colorized archival footage from the Polish-Soviet War of 1920, which ended with one of the greatest military successes of the Polish nation. The “War of the Worlds” also uses radio recordings, reports of participants and witnesses of events over the course of the war, as well as archival material testimonies that have survived the passage of time: photos, military orders, and records of secret reports, including from Russia, France, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the USA. One hundred years ago, in August 1920, Poland fought one of its most important battles – the Battle of Warsaw, known as the “Miracle on the Vistula.” The Polish-Soviet War, however, started much earlier, ended much later and was not limited to the defense of Warsaw, taking place in the area from Smoleńsk to Warsaw and Płock to Lviv. It was not a miracle, but the result of the perfect synchronization of command, intelligence, and the bravery of soldiers.
december 11 - 14
Truth Makes Free (Zieja)
Zieja
Directed by Robert Gliński
Poland, 2020
110 minutes
with English subtitles
1970s Poland - a secret police major wants to “buy” a seemingly gullible priest, Jan Zieja (Andrzej Seweryn), and turn him into an agent who can discredit the anti-communist opposition. Zieja’s interrogations by the secret police offer a personal take on the key events of the history of 20th century Poland: from the Polish - Bolshevik War through World War II and the realities of communist Poland, until the present day. Father Zieja is revealed to be a rebel ahead of his time in a world that he often found to be unacceptable. Ultimately, he never betrays his personal motto, “never kill anyone, not even your enemies.” The film is based on the life of Father Jan Zieja.
GALLERY 2019
Andrzej Seweryn
"Godfather of PFF Miami"
“The Polish Film Festival Miami is a delightful initiative! Gorgeous site, wonderful people, friendly atmosphere, and the unforgettable sun of the Miami Beach—it’s all there. The organizers led by Eva Baker—just like last year— guarantee a program which offers a superb artistic level.
Please join us! You won’t regret you did—it will be time well spent!
This form of encounter with Polish culture and Polish filmmakers makes perfect sense. Our film industry has found a new, fantastic place to present its achievements not just to Polish, but also American audience. And they are terrific, indeed!
Our Festival will grow, and its future is bright.
See you in Miami!”
About US
The Polish Film Festival Miami is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a platform for introducing, promoting, and nurturing achievements of contemporary Polish cinema and the art of filmmaking itself, with special consideration for the cultural diversity of the cities of Miami and Miami Beach.
It is a place to enjoy, learn, and discover. It is also a place of inclusion, acceptance, and respect.
The inaugural Festival took place in November 2018, in the heart of South Beach, at the iconic Miami Beach Cinematheque. This three-day event was met with huge interest from the Polish and American communities of world cinema fans and included members of Miami Beach Film Society, as well as movie professionals and students. Some of them traveled from cities like Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Vero Beach to attend the sold-out screenings.
The Polish Film Festival Miami is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a platform for introducing, promoting, and nurturing achievements of contemporary Polish cinema and the art of filmmaking itself.
LOT Polish Airlines is proud to be a sponsor for the Miami Polish Film Festival and is honored to be part of supporting the Polish cinema and filmmakers, as they incorporate the culture of Miami and Poland into their films.
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venue
O CINEMA
The O Cinema (formerly The Cinematheque) calls the historic South Beach City Hall its home and extends its welcome to the Miami Beach Film Society. Now including a screening room, bookstore/library, gallery, and café, the O Cinema is considered one of Miami’s premiere HD art-house cinemas.
LOCATION:
1130 Washington Ave · Miami Beach · FL 33139
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