October 5, 2007

Contact:
Ewa Domeredzka
Director
Polish Film Festival in America
773-486-9611/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HANIA BY JANUSZ KAMINSKI
AND THE ARK BY GRZEGORZ JONKAJTYS OPEN
19TH POLISH FILM FESTIVAL IN AMERICA

HANIA, a new movie directed by Janusz Kaminski will open the 19th Polish Film Festival in America on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 7:30 pm. in the Copernicus Center. (5216 West Lawrence Ave., Chicago).

This is the second feature directed by Janusz Kaminski, after "Lost Souls" made in 2000, and the first one made in Poland by the Polish-born filmmaker residing in the States. The two-time Oscar winner for his cinematography to films by Steven Spielberg, "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan", also nominated to the Academy Award for "Amistad", shows Polish reality a little bit in the convention of the fable. From the very first shots Warsaw deliberately resembles New York or Chicago during holidays.

It's Christmas Eve. Ola and Wojtek, a young and childless couple, invite Kacper, a kid from the orphanage, to spend the holidays together. Wojtek recalls his own childhood which was a nightmare because of his authoritative father. That special day spent with a resolute boy of a great imagination allows Wojtek to overcome his own fears, relax and to open himself for love. Kacper, like Jesus, brings young protagonists the Good News along with hope for profound and meaningful life...

Agnieszka Grochowska, one of the most talented European actresses of young generation, stars as Ola. She is partnered by Lukasz Simlat as Wojtek, her husband. In the other roles appear Maciej Stolarczyk as Kacper, Bartek Kasprzykowski as Janek and Malgorzata Kozuchowska as Kasia. Ravishing cinematography is provided by Kaminski himself while music is composed by another Polish-born Oscar winner Jan A.P. Kaczmarek. The film’s producer is Juliusz Machulski.

In 2001 Janusz Kaminski received the Wings Award of the Polish Film Festival in America, given to the outstanding artists of Polish descent for achievements in the art of film beyond Poland.

Another film to be shown at the Opening Night is THE ARK, a short animation made in 3D technique and directed by Grzegorz Jonkajtys. This unique film tells a story of an unknown dangerous virus that wreaks havoc among the mankind. Survivors, unaware of its real nature, are trying to escape through the ocean, towards the uninhabited areas of the globe. On huge tankers they search for a land free of the lethal plague. An exodus begins, led by one man.

THE ARK is seeking the Academy nomination in a short animated film category this year. It has already received a number of important awards, including a prestigious Best of Show Siggraph 2007, and was nominated for the best short film award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film’s producer is Marcin Kobylecki.

Grzegorz Jonkajtis, a young Polish animation artist, a graduate of the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, resides and works in California. As lead animator he worked on "Pan's Labirynth" and "Art of Falling", and recently on "The Mist," soon to be released in the U.S. Also, his professional credits include "Gothika" and "Sin City," among others.

The print of HANIA is received by courtesy of Zebra Film Studio and Kino Swiat while the print of THE ARK is generously provided by Platige Image.

The unforgettable Opening Night of the 19th Polish film Festival in America will include an introduction of the festival official guests and a presentation of special awards. The screening will be preceeded by the Opening Night reception attended by Polish film celebrities; this formal party will take place in 1112 Gallery of the Society for Arts (1112 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago). The exhibition of contemporary Polish art will open there as a special festival event the same evening.

The Polish Film Festival in America is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

The PFFA Opening Night invitations and tickets are already available for purchase in a number of locations. All-inclusive invitations are $ 75.00 per person. Tickets for the Opening Screening only cost $ 20.00.

For more information and reservation, please call the PFFA office at 773-486-9612, or visit its official website at www.pffamerica.com