Fears, based on real events, tells the life story of Daniel Rycharski, an artist and Catholic Church activist who is well-respected by the rural community in his hometown. Daniel is also a gay man in love with Olek, a closeted gay man, who is not ready to deal with the social consequences of coming out. Things take a sour turn when another gay friend of Daniel’s commits suicide because of homophobic attacks.
In the film, Rycharski is portrayed by Dawid Ogrodnik. Fears also features renowned Polish actors Andrzej Chyra, Jacek Poniedziałek and Jowita Budnik.
This year’s Poland’s Oscar hopeful, Director Jan P. Matuszyński’s drama Leave No Traces, won the festival’s Silver Lions Award.
Leave No Traces, which hit cinemas nationwide on Friday, is based on real-life events surrounding Grzegorz Przemyk, a Warsaw high school student who was beaten to death by communist police in May 1983, during martial law imposed by the authorities to crush the Solidarity freedom movement.
Platinum Lions, Polish Film Festival’s special award for lifetime achievements, went to Agnieszka Holland.
The annual Polish Film Festival, first held in 1974, is one of the oldest film festivals in Europe.
The festival provides Poland's most prestigious showcase of new home-grown movies, and 16 films competed in the main competition this year.
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Source: PAP