Star-studded gala premiere of “Simona Kossak”

The gala premiere of “Simona Kossak”, directed by Adrian Panek, took place in Warsaw with the film’s creators and invited guests in attendance. Among those present were Sandra Drzymalska, Jakub Gierszał, Borys Szyc, Marianna Zydek and Robert Gonera, who could be admired on the big screen that evening. But they were not the only ones to enchant the audience – Jakub Stolecki’s nature cinematography proved just as mesmerising. Here is our photo report from the event. “Simona Kossak” in cinemas across Poland from Friday.

I hope that nature will be one of the heroes of this film – said Agata Kulesza ahead of the premiere – that when we leave the cinema, we will reflect that the world does not belong only to us, humans. That nature needs our care and attention to keep its balance. Nature is at home here too.

Preparing for the project, I spent several weeks in Białowieża – exactly where Simona Kossak lived. There I drew inspiration from the wonderful forests, full of dew wreathed in mist. That is precisely how I tried to show the forest – authentic, just as Simona really saw it in her life, a magical forest, teeming with life and breathing – says cinematographer Jakub Stolecki.

ABOUT THE FILM “SIMONA KOSSAK”

Simona Kossak, daughter of the painter Jerzy Kossak and granddaughter of Wojciech, deprived of the talent that has defined her family for generations, grows up without warmth from her despotic mother. When, after her studies, she leaves everything behind – home, tradition, social conventions – and takes up a post as a scientist in Białowieża, she begins a life on her own terms. She settles in the heart of the forest, in a house with no electricity or running water, surrounded by wild nature. There, in that magical wilderness, she meets photographer Lech Wilczek, with whom she shares her passions – a love of nature and… a need for freedom. Their extraordinary relationship defies all conventions. But Simona’s ideas about the work of a naturalist and the position of a young woman in a world dominated by men are painfully put to the test. She must stand up not only for her ideals but also for the world of plants and animals.

Adrian Panek wrote and directed the film. Alongside Sandra Drzymalska and Jakub Gierszał, the cast includes Agata Kulesza, Borys Szyc, Olga Bołądź, Marianna Zydek, Marta Stalmierska, Dariusz Chajdecki, Robert Gonera, Tomasz Sapryk and Nika Wichłacz. “Simona Kossak” is produced by Magdalena Kamińska and Agata Szymańska of Balapolis. The co-producers are Wytwórnia Filmów Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych, Mazowiecki Instytut Kultury, Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe and Hollman Emea Limited. Distribution is handled by NEXT FILM.

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RELEASE DATE: 22 NOVEMBER

Cast: Sandra Drzymalska, Jakub Gierszał, Agata Kulesza, Borys Szyc, Olga Bołądź, Dariusz Chojnacki, Marta Stalmierska, Robert Gonera, Tomasz Sapryk, Nika Wichłacz

Directed by: Adrian Panek

Screenplay: Adrian Panek

Cinematography: Jakub Stolecki

Editing: Piotr Kmiecik

Music: Bartosz Chajdecki

Production design: Agata Adamus

Set decoration: Anna Pabisiak

Costume design: Kalina Lach, Paulina Sieniarska

Make-up: Anna Nobel

Production manager: Julia Jendrysik

Producers: Magdalena Kamińska, Agata Szymańska
Production: Balapolis

Co-production: Wytwórnia Filmów Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych, Mazowiecki Instytut Kultury, Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe, Hollman Emea Limited