The third Polish Film Festival in Washington, organized by the Kościuszko Foundation, ended on Sunday with “Altar Boys” by Piotr Domalewski emerging as the standout winner, taking best film, the audience award and a best actor prize.
The film tells the story of teenagers disillusioned by the indifference of adults and the Church to injustice, who decide to impose their own moral order. It explores faith, rebellion and hypocrisy, combining humor with a contemporary take on values.
In the directing category, Agnieszka Holland was honored for “Franz”. Agata Turkot won best actress for her role in “Good Home”, while best actor prizes went to Filip Wilkomirski for “Brother” and Tobiasz Wajda for “Altar Boys”. The jury, headed by Liliana Komorowska, also gave a special mention to the short film “I Look at the Sky”, directed by Alexandra Strunin.
Domalewski told PAP that audience reactions in the United States were similar to those in Poland because “foundations, such as values and the way of seeing the world, remain similar”, and that themes of justice and principles resonated across the Atlantic as well.
“I am not planning an international career for the film, I try to tell the most universal story possible”, he said, adding that the reception in Washington had reinforced that approach.
Washington Film Institute director John Hanshaw described “Altar Boys” as an engaging and thought-provoking film that combined humor with themes of faith and morality.
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Source: PAP