JAN JAKUB KOLSKI'S JASMINUM
OPENS 18TH POLISH FILM FESTIVAL IN AMERICA

JASMINUM, a new movie directed by Jan Jakub Kolski will open the 18th Polish Film Festival in America on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 7:30 pm. in Gateway Movie Theatre (5216 West Lawrence Ave., Chicago).

JASMINUM (a Latin word for jasmine) is Kolski's eleventh feature film.The plot is set in a monastery in our times. Apart from Prior Kleofas and Brother Sanitas, three other monks who reside there have their own particular body scents. The prior is dead bent on finding portents of the soon-to-come fulfillment of Prophet Barnabas’ prophecy while Brethren Plum, Cherry and Birdcherry issue body odors, each one according to his name. One day a young art restorer Natasha arrives to the monastery, commissioned for a conservation of the sacred paintings. She brings in her five year old daughter Gienia whose charm and inquiring mind wreak havoc in the monks’ monotonous life. And there starts a mysterious and magical story filled with sensuous scents and love…

In a fabulous cast Janusz Gajos stars as Brother Sanitas, Grazyna Blecka-Kolska as Natasha, Wiktoria Gosiewska as Gienia, Adam Ferency as Prior Kleofas , and Krzysztof Pieczynski as Brother Birdcherry. Franciszek Pieczka appears as Saint Roch and Boguslaw Linda as Zeman. Ravishing cinematography is provided by Krzysztof Ptak, and music score by Zygmunt Konieczny. The print by courtesy of MS Films and Best Film.

J.J. Kolski belongs to the most interesting Polish filmmakers. He successfully established his own narrative style. In Chicago the director enjoys a particular popularity. Polish Film Festival in America has shown all his feature films, early discovering the unique talent: A Potato Burial, Pograbek, Johnny the Aquarius, A Miraculous Place, Playing for a Death Angel, A Sword from Commander, History of the Movies in Popielawy, Far from a Window, Pornography. In 1994 Kolski received the Golden Teeth, the PFFA audience award for the most interesting film of the festival. Kolski visited Chicago in 1995 for the award presentation.

The extraordinary Jasmine Opening Night of the18th Polish Film Festival in America will include presentation of the festival stars and official guests, special awards ceremony, and a surprise mini-concert. The Opening Night Reception attended by the Polish film celebrities will precede the screening, and Plus Blues Night Party showcasing world famous Chicago blues musicians will follow; both events will take place in 1112 Gallery of the Society for Arts (1112 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago), a place of special film exhibition to open that evening as well.

The PFFA Opening Night invitations and tickets will go for sale on August 20, 2006. All inclusive invitations are $ 60.00 per person. Tickets for screening only cost $ 20.00, and Plus Blues Party admission is $ 25.00.

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

 

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