28th Chicago European Union Film Festival Spotlight: Poland, it is our pleasure, with the generous support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, to present two weeks of the best new and classic films from Poland and Polish filmmakers. Join us March 7–20, as we present 20 films, including 13 new titles-and 12 Chicago premieres-alongside classics from filmmakers including Krzysztof Kieslowski, Agnieszka Holland, and Andrzej Wajda. Meet filmmakers visiting us from Poland, and enjoy taste from the country through special events and at our concession stand.

Schedule

Saturday, March 15, 2025

1:15 pm

IT'S NOT MY FILM

TO NIE MÓJ FILM

2024, Maria Zbaska, Poland, 99 mins

In Polish with English subtitles | Format: Digital

“We’ll go to the seaside. We’ll walk 250 miles on the beach. If we can’t make it, we’ll split up.” Janek and Wanda, who love each other, but can’t seem to like each other, trek along the wintery Baltic coast in a last ditch effort to save their relationship. Bundled up against the elements, dependent on one another for survival, and with no humans around for miles, Janek and Wanda have nothing left to do but let it all out. Maria Zbaska’s debut feature, which won the Andrzej Zulawski Award at the 2024 Polish Film Festival, is an assured and uncompromising story of modern love. Dialogue: Maria Zbaska in attendance.

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3:45 pm

KULEJ. ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD

KULEJ. DWIE STRONY MEDALU

2024, Xawery Zulawski, Poland, 148 mins

In Polish with English subtitles | Format: Digital

KULEJ. ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD chronicles the turbulent years of 1964 to 1968 for two-time Olympic gold medalist boxer Jerzy Kulej, and his wife Helena (Michalina Olszanska, THE LURE). Returning from the Tokyo Olympics with his first gold medal, Jerzy (Tomasz Wlosok) is a national hero, but the next four years, as he trains for the Mexico City Olympics, are complicated by his vices and the slow liberalization of Poland. Director Xawery Zulawski captures the spirit of the era and the complex dynamics of the Kulej’s marriage, punctuating the drama with spectacular boxing sequences that will satisfy any RAGING BULL or ROCKY fan.

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7:15 pm

UNDER THE GREY SKY

POD SZARYM NIEBEM

2024, Mara Tamkovich, Poland, 81 mins

In Belarusian and Russian with English subtitles | Format: Digital

In Mara Tamkovich’s eerily timely feature debut, journalist Lena is arrested for livestreaming the suppression of a protest against the 2020 Belarusian election, thrusting her husband Ilya into an untenable situation. With the grim possibility that Lena will spend years behind bars, Ilya must consider the sacrifices he may be forced to make to support her. Inspired by the true story of Katsyaryna Andreeva and Igor Ilyash, UNDER THE GREY SKY is a haunting portrait of political repression in the digital age which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and won the Best Debut Director prize at the 2024 Polish Film Festival. Dialogue: Director Mara Tomkovich in attendance. Followed by a reception generously sponsored by Polombia.

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Date: March 7 - 20, 2025