Movie Overview:
"Woman of" (Kobieta z…) is a 2023 Polish-Swedish drama film co-directed by Anna Jadowska and Michał Englert. Initially, Małgorzata Szumowska was credited as co-director, but she requested her name be removed from the credits before the premiere. The film tells a decades-spanning story of Aniela/Andrzej, exploring gender transition and identity in Poland from the 1970s to the present day.
Plot Summary:
The film follows the life of Aniela, later Andrzej, from the 1970s to the 2020s in Poland. Beginning in communist Poland, Aniela is a young woman who feels a fundamental disconnect between her inner self and her assigned gender. The film chronicles her personal journey of self-discovery, love, and ultimately, her decision to transition to Andrzej. It portrays the societal and personal challenges she faces across different eras in Poland as she navigates relationships, family, and her own evolving identity. The narrative spans significant historical and social changes in Poland, reflecting how these shifts impact Andrzej's life and transition.
Director's Vision:
Michał Englert and Anna Jadowska aimed to create a film that is both intimate and epic in scope, spanning decades of Polish history through the personal story of Andrzej. They envisioned a film that explores universal themes of identity and love against the backdrop of social and political change. While Małgorzata Szumowska was initially involved, the final directorial vision is attributed to Englert and Jadowska. The directors sought to create a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of gender transition, avoiding sensationalism and focusing on the human experience of their protagonist.
Themes:
Gender Identity and Transition: The central theme is Andrzej's journey of gender transition, exploring the complexities of self-discovery and living authentically.
Societal Change in Poland: The film spans from communist Poland to modern times, reflecting how political and social changes impact individual lives and freedoms, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues.
Love and Relationships: The film examines various forms of love – romantic, familial, and self-love – and how these relationships are shaped by Andrzej's transition and societal attitudes.
Personal vs. Political: Andrzej's personal journey is intertwined with the political landscape of Poland, highlighting how personal identity becomes inherently political in certain social contexts.
Acceptance and Belonging: The film explores Andrzej's search for acceptance and belonging, both within her family and in Polish society.
Key Success Factors:
Małgorzata Gorol's Performance: Małgorzata Gorol's portrayal of Aniela/Andrzej is critically acclaimed as transformative and deeply moving, considered a major strength of the film.
Spanning Decades of Polish History: The film's ambitious scope, covering several decades of Polish history and social change, provides a rich and layered backdrop for Andrzej's personal story.
Intimate and Empathetic Storytelling: The directors' approach to the sensitive subject matter, focusing on intimacy and empathy, resonates with audiences and critics.
Timely and Relevant Subject Matter: The film addresses contemporary issues of gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights in Poland, making it a timely and socially relevant work.
Awards, and Nominations (IMDB):
According to IMDb, "Woman of" has received 6 nominations and 5 wins.
Polish Film Awards 2024: Eagles
Best Actress (Małgorzata Gorol) - Won
Best Supporting Actress (Joanna Kulig) - Nominated
Best Costume Design - Nominated
Discovery of the Year (Anna Jadowska, Michał Englert) - Nominated
Orły Awards:
Best Actress (Małgorzata Gorol) - Won
Best Supporting Actress (Joanna Kulig) - Nominated
Polish Film Festival in Gdynia 2023:
Journalists Award - Won
Golden Lions - Nominated
Elle Award - Won
Onet Award - Won
Critical Reception:
Critical reception for "Woman of" has been largely positive, with praise directed towards Małgorzata Gorol's performance and the film's sensitive and decades-spanning narrative.
Positive Reviews: Critics have lauded the film as "moving and ambitious," highlighting Gorol's "phenomenal central performance." It is described as a "sensitive and moving" film that handles its complex subject matter with care and depth.
Performance Praise: Małgorzata Gorol's portrayal of Andrzej is consistently praised as a standout element, with reviewers noting her ability to embody the character across different stages of life.
Historical Context: The film's weaving of personal story with Polish history is appreciated for adding depth and context to Andrzej's journey.
Nuanced Approach: Reviewers note the film's nuanced approach to gender transition, avoiding simplistic portrayals and embracing complexity.
Box Office Performance:
Iceland lifetime gross: $592 Worldwide lifetime total gross: $53,590
Reviews on Cinema Sites:
IMDb: User and critic reviews can be found on the Woman of (2023) - IMDb page.
Rotten Tomatoes: Check Woman of on Rotten Tomatoes for a Tomatometer score and critic reviews as they become available.
Metacritic: Check Woman of on Metacritic for a Metascore and critic reviews as they become available.
Filmweb.pl: Polish cinema site Filmweb.pl likely has reviews in Polish.
Production (Summary):
"Woman of" is a Polish-Swedish co-production. Filming took place in Poland and Sweden. The film was produced by Madants and Zentropa Sweden, with Polish Film Institute, Swedish Film Institute, Film i Väst, and CANAL+ Polska among the supporters.
Production Companies:
Madants (Poland)
Zentropa Sweden
In co-production with:
польский институт кинематографии (Polish Film Institute)
Svenska Filminstitutet (Swedish Film Institute)
Film i Väst
CANAL+ Polska
Distribution & Sales (Summary):
World sales are handled by New Europe Film Sales.
Distribution and Sales Companies:
New Europe Film Sales (World Sales)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26746630/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/kobieta-z (France), https://www.justwatch.com/nl/movie/kobieta-z (Netherlands)
Why to Recommend This Movie / Why You Should Watch Movie:
Powerful Central Performance: Małgorzata Gorol's award-winning performance as Andrzej is a major reason to see this film.
Timely and Important Story: The film tackles relevant themes of gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights in Poland with sensitivity and depth.
Decades-Spanning Narrative: Offers a rich and layered story that reflects on personal and societal change over time.
Critically Acclaimed: Positive reviews and awards recognition indicate a film of artistic merit and emotional impact.
Unique Perspective on Polish Society: Provides insights into Polish history and social context through a personal and moving story.
Final Verdict:
"Woman of" (2023) is a highly recommended film for those seeking thought-provoking, character-driven dramas with strong performances and social relevance. Małgorzata Gorol's portrayal of Andrzej is exceptional, and the film's exploration of gender identity against the backdrop of Polish history is both moving and insightful. It is a film that promises to resonate with audiences interested in LGBTQ+ stories, international cinema, and character studies with depth and emotional impact.
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