Movie night with Bardzo fajný festival / Summer Cinema

The curated selection showcases highlights from the Bardzo fajný festival – a festival of fresh Polish culture that focuses on Czech-Polish cultural collaboration and has long promoted Polish culture in the Czech Republic. This year, we present two films: the documentary Simona, which explores the life of Białowieża Forest protector Simona Kossak, followed by the short fiction film Být někým, a humorous take on what happens when you discover that your apartment was once home to President Lech Wałęsa.

Simona (91 min)

Documentary, Poland, 2022
Director: Natalia Koryncka-Gruz
Writer: Natalia Koryncka-Gruz
Cinematography: Krystian Matysek
Music: Aleksander Gruz
Starring: Simona Kossak (archival footage)

In this documentary, Ida, the granddaughter of the legendary Polish ecologist Simona Kossak, explores her grandmother’s extraordinary life. Through sorting old photos of Simona and the wild animals she photographed, Ida uncovers family secrets. A story about the power of nature and the essential role ecosystems play in our lives.

Být někým (27 min)

Short fiction – comedy, Poland, 2023
Director: Michał Toczek

An ordinary electrician moves with his family into an old apartment in a panel block, unaware that the flat was once home to President Lech Wałęsa. What happens when his wife realizes they could profit from the apartment’s fame? A humorous, sensitively shot film about the dynamics of a married couple, featuring a standout performance by Sebastian Stankiewicz.