TWO POLISH FILMS AWARDED IN LEIPZIG

The winners of this year's DOK Leipzig festival were announced this weekend. Silent Love by Marek Kozakiewicz and Misaligned by Marta Magnuska returned from Germany with awards.

DOK Leipzig is one of the leading documentary and animated film events in the world. Each year, Leipzig is home to screenings of the latest film productions from dozens of countries on all continents. More than 3000 films were submitted to DOK Leipzig this year. Of this number, 255 films from 55 countries, including a total of 15 Polish productions, made it into the festival's official selection.

The Polish animated film Misaligned won the best international animated short competition and received the Golden Dove. The protagonists of Marga Magnuska's film are a woman and a man in a room, with a gecko sitting in the terrarium, and several flies circling the lamp.  Gradually, we notice more and more relationships and analogies between their actions and the observed elements, as the rhythm of their universes accelerates. The microcosms shown seem to rhythmically interact with each other and belong to a higher, cosmic order.

Once again, the prestigious MDR Film Prize went to a Polish production. This year's winner is Marek Kozakiewicz and his documentary. Silent Love is a subtle and tender story about the strength of family; about taking on new roles and redefining old ones; about the fact having the courage to love requires facing our fears. After the death of her mother, 35-year-old Agnieszka decides to take care of her teenage brother Miłosz. She is beginning to fulfil the role of both his mum and dad. She has to prove to the court and officials that she is fit to become a legal guardian for her brother. However, there is something she hides from him – it is her long-term relationship with Maja. A new, unconventional family blossoms before our eyes in a small, conservative Polish village. 

You can check out DOK Leipzig’s winners in their respective categories here and here.