I only saw a couple of films during this year’s World Film Festival in Montreal so it is great to learn that the film I did see won the Grand prix des Americas and the Ecumenical Prize. Chce się żyć [Life Feels Good] by Maciej Pieprzyca is such a beautiful film and well deserving of the grand prize from the festival. The title means, literally, “Wanting to Live”, but as it is an idiom of a joy for life in Polish, the translators chose the closest equivalent in English, “Life Feels Good”. “Chce Się Żyć” is an expression and philosophy that the main character shares with his father.
The film is based on a true story of a man with cerebral palsy, his family and the various people in his life. Everything in this film from the acting to the music is outstanding. It all comes together within the context of a difficult personal life story on the canvas of 1980s-2000s Poland. There are heartbreaking moments throughout, where people and the system behave with creulty and indifference. However, the film’s hope comes from the many good hearted people in Mateusz’ life.
The screening at the World Film Festival in Montreal was a premiere, in the presence of the director, Maciej Pieprzyca. The long standing ovation following the film confirmed that I was not the only one on whom the film made a great impression. I am convinced it will continue to do so in the months and years to come.
[Photomedia Forum post by T.Neugebauer from Sep 03, 2013 ]