WINNER: Best Screenplay, Montréal World Film Festival 2015
With the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland
?A nuanced and compelling historical drama/comingofager, “Summer Solstice” provides a searing portrait of the summer of 1943 in provincial Poland under German occupation. The story unfolds through the eyes of two 17yearold boys, the Polish railway worker Romek (Filip Piotrowicz) and the German military policeman Guido (Jonas Nay), who both experience a shocking loss of innocence.
?Director Rogalski, who won the Polish edition of the Hartley-Merrill competition with this complex and provocative script, also displays a keen visual sense that makes clever use of contrast. Rogalski also deserves praise for knowing when to cut, and letting the viewer’s imagination and an accomplished sound design conceive more powerful horrors than he could possibly show. Mixing veterans and newcomers, the expert cast is totally in tune with the helmer’s intentions and the period setting. D.P. Jerzy Zielinski’s sundappled widescreen location lensing leads the topnotch craft credits.
?Alissa Simon
Variety
Actor Filip Piotrowicz will attend the Pavilion Screening
