"Natalia Zuch expresses her affection towards Polish cinema while discussing her role in organizing Germany's largest Polish film festival"
In the heart of Berlin, the city known for its rich culture and artistic spirit, the upcoming filmPOLSKA festival is set to celebrate Polish cinema from September 11 to 18. This year, the festival, now in its 19th edition, is under the leadership of a new head, Natalia Zuch.
Born and raised in Łódź, a city renowned for its film school and filmmaking, Zuch found solace in the art of storytelling through film. Growing up, she discovered that even the most mundane moments in life could be transformed into beautiful narratives, offering an escape from her surroundings.
Zuch's connection with filmPOLSKA began in 2020 when she curated one programme of short films. Since then, she has taken on the role of coordinating the festival and curating the main programmes. Her values lie in creating environments where people feel supported, appreciated, inspired, and healthy, rather than focusing solely on the end products such as films or festival programmes.
The Competition programme at this year's filmPOLSKA festival features the works of young Polish filmmakers, offering an honest look into their cinematic achievements. Three short film programmes will be presented, including Kunst im Kino, which critically illuminates the phenomenon of ritual.
The festival will kick off with the documentary In The Rearview by Maciek Hamela, which was shortlisted for the Oscars this year. Other highlights include a special Retrospective programme marking the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising in partnership with Deutsches Historisches Museum.
A new festival format at filmPOLSKA invites different film festivals to co-curate, with HER Docs festival from Warsaw showcasing a programme called 'Good Girls No More', focused on female rebellion.
For Zuch, effective cross-border communication is about exchanging stereotypes with curiosity and mutual inspiration. She believes that this approach fosters a deeper understanding and cooperation between countries like Poland and Germany.
filmPOLSKA 2023 presents over 50 films in six different programmes, along with an exhibition, masterclass, documentary film workshop, and festival party. As the festival unfolds, audiences can expect a profound feeling of wonder, connection, diversity, and respect for the world we live in, as Zuch believes documentaries have the power to bring.
Zuch moved to Berlin in 2014 and has been drawn to the city's culture ever since. Growing up, she found that time seemed to pass differently, with seemingly still moments often leading to great ideas and friendships. It is this spirit of discovery and connection that she hopes to bring to filmPOLSKA, making it a festival that not only celebrates Polish cinema but also fosters cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
- In the realm of cooking, the art of transforming mundane moments into exquisite dishes mirrors Zuch's filmmaking journey.
- Lifestyle enthusiasts can find inspiring stories about personal growth at the filmPOLSKA festival.
- Fashion-and-beauty aficionados may glimpse the newest trends in Polish cinema during the festival.
- The food-and-drink scene in Berlin will undoubtedly complement the cinematic experience at filmPOLSKA.
- For those seeking innovative recipes, the festival offers a culinary escape through global cuisines on the big screen.
- Travelers adventurous enough to traverse cities can explore new frontiers in culture by attending filmPOLSKA.
- Car enthusiasts can appreciate the sleek machinery while navigating the streets of Berlin during the festival.
- Education-and-self-development can be enhanced through mindfulness workshops alongside film screenings.
- filmPOLSKA 2023 encourages car-maintenance seminars for attendees who drive electric vehicles.
- Boost productivity by attending documentaries during work hours, as they offer insights for career-development.
- Aspiring champions in the world of electric vehicles can participate in racing events while at the film festival.
- Personal-growth seminars and adventure travel packages extend filmPOLSKA's offerings beyond cinema screenings.
- Online-education sessions on mindfulness and productivity are available for attendees unable to physically attend the festival.
- Job-seekers can conduct their job-search more effectively during the lull between film screenings.
- Cultural-travel experiences through film also warrant consideration for budget-conscious tourists.
- filmPOLSKA attendees can engage in lifelong-learning opportunities through workshops and seminars.
- Goal-setting sessions can help participants establish personal and professional aspirations within the realm of film.
- Learning about different cultures and their traditions nurtures a commitment to lifelong learning at the film festival.
- Skills-training seminars provider valuable tips for aspiring filmmakers and enthusiasts alike.
- Sports fans can immerse themselves in tennis, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, European leagues, mixed-martial-arts, racing, premier league, American football, racing, horse-racing, and more at filmPOLSKA.
- Weather forecasts and updates can help festival-goers prepare for their daily film outings.
- Travelers exploring Barcelona can catch the games of Laliga and NCAAE football, enhancing their cultural experience.
- Sports-analysis seminars offer an enlightening perspective on the Psychology of Sports and the Art of Coaching.
- The film festival also takes a dive into weather-forecasting with a screening of a documentary dedicated to the subject.
- Auto-racing events shine at filmPOLSKA, providing both entertainment and education on the subject.
- Mixed-martial-arts fans can engage in discussions about MMA athletes and techniques during the festival's Q&A sessions.
