Synopsis
An attractive and mysterious Ukrainian immigrant makes a living giving home massages in an affluent residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Warsaw. In his hands, however, is hidden a unique gift, a healing power that penetrates the lonely souls of his clients and makes him an object of desire. Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert sign a provocative satire with touches of surreal delirium.
Presented by the director 05/05/2021
Filmmaker
Małgorzata Szumowska
She is one of the most prominent directors of contemporary Polish cinema. In 2000 she directed her debut feature, Happy Man, nominated for the European Film Awards and awarded at the Thessaloniki Festival. From here she begins a solid and abundant filmography, present in all major competitions, of which stand out titles such as Elles, starring Juliette Binoche; Body, Best Director at the Berlinale; or Mug, Grand Prize of the Jury at the same festival. In 2021 D’A Film Festival dedicated a retrospective to her.
Filmography: Woman Of... (co-directed, 2023, D'A 2024), Infinite Storm (2022), Never Gonna Snow Again (co-directed, 2020, D'A 2021), The Other Lamb (2019, D'A 2021), Mug (2018, D'A 2021), Body (2015, D'A 2021), In the Name Of... (2013), Elles (2011), 33 Scenes From Life (2008, D'A 2021), Stranger (2004), Happy Man (2000)
Michał Englert
He is a director, cinematographer, screenwriter and producer. His career is closely linked to Polish filmmaker Małgorzata Szumowska, of whom he has almost always been a cinematographer, co-writer and producer. He has also worked behind the camera in films like The Congress (Ari Folman), Lasting (Jacek Borcuch), for which he was awarded at Sundance, or Marie Curie (Marie Noëlle).
Filmography: Woman Of... (co-directed, 2023, D'A 2024), Never Gonna Snow Again (co-directed, 2020, D'A 2021)
Awards and festivals
Special Mention Fondazione FAI Award
Poster
