Borys Lankosz
Encyclopedia
Borys Lankosz - Polish
film director
.
He graduated from National Film School in Łódź. His debut film “Evolution” (2001) received several awards, i.a. the Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival
. He is the creator of the documentary series "From a Different Angle", filmed in Iran
, China
and Zimbabwe
, and the films “Kurc” and “Poles Poles” (with Wislawa Szymborska
, Stanislaw Lem
, Krzysztof Penderecki
).
His feature debut titled "Rewers
" ("Reverse") won first prize, the Golden Lion, on Polish Film Festival
in 2009 in Gdynia
. Lankosz is also a director and screenwriter of several documentary and short films: "Radegast" (documentary film), "Alien VI" (short).
and Krzysztof Kieślowski
among its graduates.
", won the 45th San Francisco International Film Festival
as well as many other international and Polish film festivals. The jury in San Francisco decided to award the film “because of its remarkable mood, tone and beauty.”
According to the jury, "Evolution
"'s “every shot, cut, sound effect conspires to involve the audience in its tense, astonishing and provocative world. […] Its grip is unrelenting, and lasts long after it’s beautiful final moments.”
This film marked a clear direction in Lankosz’s creative work which would follow. The central themes of this work revolve around notions of otherness and the attempt to come to terms with it through the medium of film.
The success of his first film "Evolution
", opened many doors at the outset of the young director’s career. In proceeding years, with the Polish Television as the producer, Lankosz made many documentary films which won the acclaim of audiences, critics, and awards at prestigious
international film festivals. Among the most notable of which are: "Poles Poles", a documentary about some of the most eminent Polish figures (such as Nobel prize-winning poet Wisława Szymborska, as well as the legendary science fiction
writer and author of "Solaris
", Stanisław Lem, among others) and "Radegast
", a harrowing documentary tale about Western European Jews, who in 1941 were sent to the Łódź ghetto, which received the Silver Phoenix Award at the International Film Festival Jewish Motifs in Warsaw, the Finalist Award Winner of The New York Festivals, as well as being awarded a Monumentum Iudaicum Lodzense Medal.
Borys Lankosz is also the author of a film series entitled "From the Different Angle", filmed in China, Zimbabwe, Iran and France. This four-part series was broadcasted in prime time by the first channel of the national Polish public television.
In 2009, Lankosz directed his first feature film "Reverse
", which became a staggering success and marked a new direction in his work. The film was produced by legendary film studio Kadr, responsible for the creation of the most important, now classic films of the so-called Polish
Film School of the 1950s and 1960s. "Reverse
", the studio’s first production in over fourteen years, turned out to be a smashing success. Already at its premiere at the Polish Film Festival
in Gdynia, "Reverse
" was heralded as the forerunner of a “New Wave” of Polish cinema, and Lankosz himself was appointed its patron.
Moreover, "Reverse
" won the acclamation of the jury, winning 11 of the festival’s awards, including the prestigious Golden Lion Award for Best Film. Other notable awards included: the
Audience Award and the selection of the film as the Poland's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign language film Oscar.
Borys Lankosz became the center of massive media attention, whose goal was to turn him into a
celebrity, an attempt which he effectively evaded. He did however joyously accept two distinguished awards: one from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage who bestowed
upon him the Artist of the Year Award; as well as the prestigious Paszport Polityki
, an award granted by the magazine Polityka
for an artistic event which was the “best debut of at least a decade.”
or 2012
.
Pre-premiere screenings of Rewers
at the oldest Warsaw cinema Wisła became the site of meetings of the Polish intelligentsia and “high society,” renewing a forgotten Polish tradition of spontaneous post-screening meetings and film discussions. Rewers became a cultural event incomparable to anything which was previously known to the Polish public.
In conjunction with an Oscar promotional campaign, Rewers was shown in New York
at MOMA
and the Directors Guild of America
Theatre.
Rewers was also very well received by American film critics as evidenced by reviews which appeared in "Variety
" and "Hollywood Reporter".
The Polish Film Academy nominated Rewers for the Polish Film Awards
: Eagles in 13 categories, eventually granting awards in eight of those, among them the Best Film Award. Rewers set a new record for the number of awards granted, surpassing the previous record held by Roman Polanski
's film "The Pianist".
Soon thereafter, awards began to appear on the international arena. Rewers received FIPRESCI
Award at the Warsaw Film Festival; the St. George Award at the Moscow International Film Festival
; as well as the Grand Jury Prize for Best New Director at the Seattle International Film Festival
. The decision of the latter award was articulated by the jury as follows: “Borys Lankosz’s Rewers succeeds its substantial ambition to tell the story of love, family, and loyalty in a brutal post war Warsaw. Uniquely, first time director Lankosz manages to deliver a highly stylized vision without sacrificing character, story, or performance. We are happy and honored to give the Best New Director Award to this touching, thrilling, and deeply human film.”
"
"Radegast
"
"Evolution
"
"Alien VI"
"Kurc"
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
.
He graduated from National Film School in Łódź. His debut film “Evolution” (2001) received several awards, i.a. the Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
. He is the creator of the documentary series "From a Different Angle", filmed in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, and the films “Kurc” and “Poles Poles” (with Wislawa Szymborska
Wislawa Szymborska
Wisława Szymborska is a Polish poet, essayist and translator. Many of her poems feature war and terrorism...
, Stanislaw Lem
Stanislaw Lem
Stanisław Lem was a Polish writer of science fiction, philosophy and satire. He was named a Knight of the Order of the White Eagle. His books have been translated into 41 languages and have sold over 27 million copies. He is perhaps best known as the author of the 1961 novel Solaris, which has...
, Krzysztof Penderecki
Krzysztof Penderecki
Krzysztof Penderecki , born November 23, 1933 in Dębica) is a Polish composer and conductor. His 1960 avant-garde Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima for string orchestra brought him to international attention, and this success was followed by acclaim for his choral St. Luke Passion. Both these...
).
His feature debut titled "Rewers
Rewers
Rewers is a 2009 Polish drama film with a fair portion of black humor, directed by Borys Lankosz.- Plot :The film is set in Warsaw in the 1950s, with a few flash-forwards to present-day Warsaw. The main character is Sabina, a quiet, shy woman who has just turned thirty, and lives together with her...
" ("Reverse") won first prize, the Golden Lion, on Polish Film Festival
Polish Film Festival
The Polish Film Festival is an annual film festival first held in Gdańsk, now held in Gdynia, Poland....
in 2009 in Gdynia
Gdynia
Gdynia is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport of Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together...
. Lankosz is also a director and screenwriter of several documentary and short films: "Radegast" (documentary film), "Alien VI" (short).
Education
Lankosz is a graduate of National Film School in Łódź. The Lodz Film School is a world-renown academy which counts directors such as Roman PolanskiRoman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...
and Krzysztof Kieślowski
Krzysztof Kieslowski
Krzysztof Kieślowski was an Academy Award nominated influential Polish film director and screenwriter, known internationally for The Double Life of Veronique and his film cycles The Decalogue and Three Colors.-Early life:...
among its graduates.
Career
Lankosz’s diploma film, a 2001 documentary entitled "EvolutionEvolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
", won the 45th San Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
as well as many other international and Polish film festivals. The jury in San Francisco decided to award the film “because of its remarkable mood, tone and beauty.”
According to the jury, "Evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
"'s “every shot, cut, sound effect conspires to involve the audience in its tense, astonishing and provocative world. […] Its grip is unrelenting, and lasts long after it’s beautiful final moments.”
This film marked a clear direction in Lankosz’s creative work which would follow. The central themes of this work revolve around notions of otherness and the attempt to come to terms with it through the medium of film.
The success of his first film "Evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
", opened many doors at the outset of the young director’s career. In proceeding years, with the Polish Television as the producer, Lankosz made many documentary films which won the acclaim of audiences, critics, and awards at prestigious
international film festivals. Among the most notable of which are: "Poles Poles", a documentary about some of the most eminent Polish figures (such as Nobel prize-winning poet Wisława Szymborska, as well as the legendary science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
writer and author of "Solaris
Solaris (novel)
Solaris is a 1961 Polish science fiction novel by Stanisław Lem. It is about the ultimate inadequacy of communication between human and non-human species....
", Stanisław Lem, among others) and "Radegast
Radegast
Radegast is a small town in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is the smallest town in Saxony-Anhalt and is located about 13 km south of the district capital of Köthen...
", a harrowing documentary tale about Western European Jews, who in 1941 were sent to the Łódź ghetto, which received the Silver Phoenix Award at the International Film Festival Jewish Motifs in Warsaw, the Finalist Award Winner of The New York Festivals, as well as being awarded a Monumentum Iudaicum Lodzense Medal.
Borys Lankosz is also the author of a film series entitled "From the Different Angle", filmed in China, Zimbabwe, Iran and France. This four-part series was broadcasted in prime time by the first channel of the national Polish public television.
In 2009, Lankosz directed his first feature film "Reverse
Reverse
Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...
", which became a staggering success and marked a new direction in his work. The film was produced by legendary film studio Kadr, responsible for the creation of the most important, now classic films of the so-called Polish
Film School of the 1950s and 1960s. "Reverse
Reverse
Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...
", the studio’s first production in over fourteen years, turned out to be a smashing success. Already at its premiere at the Polish Film Festival
Polish Film Festival
The Polish Film Festival is an annual film festival first held in Gdańsk, now held in Gdynia, Poland....
in Gdynia, "Reverse
Reverse
Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...
" was heralded as the forerunner of a “New Wave” of Polish cinema, and Lankosz himself was appointed its patron.
Moreover, "Reverse
Reverse
Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...
" won the acclamation of the jury, winning 11 of the festival’s awards, including the prestigious Golden Lion Award for Best Film. Other notable awards included: the
Audience Award and the selection of the film as the Poland's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign language film Oscar.
Borys Lankosz became the center of massive media attention, whose goal was to turn him into a
celebrity, an attempt which he effectively evaded. He did however joyously accept two distinguished awards: one from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage who bestowed
upon him the Artist of the Year Award; as well as the prestigious Paszport Polityki
Paszport Polityki
Paszport Polityki is an annual prestigious Polish award presented by the weekly magazine Polityka since 1993.It is presented in six categories: literature, film, theatre, classical music, visual arts and scene. In 2002 a new, seventh category was added: creator of culture.-External links:...
, an award granted by the magazine Polityka
Polityka
Polityka is a centre-left weekly newsmagazine in Poland. With a circulation of 170,000 it is the country's biggest selling weekly, ahead of Newsweek's Polish edition and Wprost. Today, the magazine has a slightly intellectual, social liberal profile, setting it apart from the more conservative...
for an artistic event which was the “best debut of at least a decade.”
Reception of Rewers
Soon after its premiere, it became evident that this modest black and white film about Stalinist Poland (now a subject of research of film theorists as well as sociologists), was to become a box office hit, which in the Polish domestic market effectively competes with the biggest Hollywood hits such as Twilight SagaThe Twilight Saga (film series)
The Twilight Saga is a series of supernatural romance fantasy films from Summit Entertainment based on the four Twilight series novels by the American author Stephenie Meyer. The films star Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. The series has grossed over $2 billion in worldwide...
or 2012
2012 (film)
2012 is a 2009 American disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich. It stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, and Woody Harrelson. It was produced by Emmerich's production company, Centropolis Entertainment and was distributed by Columbia Pictures...
.
Pre-premiere screenings of Rewers
Rewers
Rewers is a 2009 Polish drama film with a fair portion of black humor, directed by Borys Lankosz.- Plot :The film is set in Warsaw in the 1950s, with a few flash-forwards to present-day Warsaw. The main character is Sabina, a quiet, shy woman who has just turned thirty, and lives together with her...
at the oldest Warsaw cinema Wisła became the site of meetings of the Polish intelligentsia and “high society,” renewing a forgotten Polish tradition of spontaneous post-screening meetings and film discussions. Rewers became a cultural event incomparable to anything which was previously known to the Polish public.
In conjunction with an Oscar promotional campaign, Rewers was shown in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
at MOMA
Moma
Moma may refer to:* Moma , an owlet moth genus* Moma Airport, a Russian public airport* Moma District, Nampula, Mozambique* Moma River, a right tributary of the Indigirka River* Google Moma, the Google corporate intranet...
and the Directors Guild of America
Directors Guild of America
Directors Guild of America is an entertainment labor union which represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry...
Theatre.
Rewers was also very well received by American film critics as evidenced by reviews which appeared in "Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
" and "Hollywood Reporter".
The Polish Film Academy nominated Rewers for the Polish Film Awards
Polish Film Awards
Polish Film Awards: Eagles are a series of awards given annually since 1999 by the Polish Film Academy.-Awards:* Best Film – since 1999* Best Actor – since 1999* Best Actress – since 1999* Supporting Actor – since 2000* Supporting Actress – since 2000...
: Eagles in 13 categories, eventually granting awards in eight of those, among them the Best Film Award. Rewers set a new record for the number of awards granted, surpassing the previous record held by Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...
's film "The Pianist".
Soon thereafter, awards began to appear on the international arena. Rewers received FIPRESCI
FIPRESCI
The International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Award at the Warsaw Film Festival; the St. George Award at the Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
; as well as the Grand Jury Prize for Best New Director at the Seattle International Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
The Seattle International Film Festival , held annually in Seattle, Washington since 1976, is among the top film festivals in North America. Audiences have grown steadily; the 2006 festival had 160,000 attendees...
. The decision of the latter award was articulated by the jury as follows: “Borys Lankosz’s Rewers succeeds its substantial ambition to tell the story of love, family, and loyalty in a brutal post war Warsaw. Uniquely, first time director Lankosz manages to deliver a highly stylized vision without sacrificing character, story, or performance. We are happy and honored to give the Best New Director Award to this touching, thrilling, and deeply human film.”
Filmography
- Reverse (RewersRewersRewers is a 2009 Polish drama film with a fair portion of black humor, directed by Borys Lankosz.- Plot :The film is set in Warsaw in the 1950s, with a few flash-forwards to present-day Warsaw. The main character is Sabina, a quiet, shy woman who has just turned thirty, and lives together with her...
) – Director - "Alien VI" (Obcy VI), short – Director
- "RadegastRadegastRadegast is a small town in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is the smallest town in Saxony-Anhalt and is located about 13 km south of the district capital of Köthen...
", documentary short – Director - "Kurc", documentary short – Director, Writer
- "Poles Poles" (Poles Poles), documentary short – Director, Writer
- "Evolution" (Rozwój), documentary short – Director, Writer
Awards
"RewersRewers
Rewers is a 2009 Polish drama film with a fair portion of black humor, directed by Borys Lankosz.- Plot :The film is set in Warsaw in the 1950s, with a few flash-forwards to present-day Warsaw. The main character is Sabina, a quiet, shy woman who has just turned thirty, and lives together with her...
"
- Seattle International Film FestivalSeattle International Film FestivalThe Seattle International Film Festival , held annually in Seattle, Washington since 1976, is among the top film festivals in North America. Audiences have grown steadily; the 2006 festival had 160,000 attendees...
2010 – Grand Jury Prize for Best New Director - Moscow International Film FestivalMoscow International Film FestivalMoscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
2010 - St. George Award - Warsaw International Film FestivalWarsaw International Film FestivalWarsaw International Film Festival , also known as the Warsaw FilmFest, is a film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland. The festival has been held every year since 1985....
2009 – FIPRESCIFIPRESCIThe International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Award - Polish Film AwardsPolish Film AwardsPolish Film Awards: Eagles are a series of awards given annually since 1999 by the Polish Film Academy.-Awards:* Best Film – since 1999* Best Actor – since 1999* Best Actress – since 1999* Supporting Actor – since 2000* Supporting Actress – since 2000...
: Eagles 2010 - Best Picture, Discovery of the year - Polish Film FestivalPolish Film FestivalThe Polish Film Festival is an annual film festival first held in Gdańsk, now held in Gdynia, Poland....
Gdynia 2009 - Grand Prix Jury Golden LionGolden LionIl Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes...
, Don Kichot Award, Journalists’ Award, Arthouse Cinemas Association Award, Audience Award - Paszport PolitykiPaszport PolitykiPaszport Polityki is an annual prestigious Polish award presented by the weekly magazine Polityka since 1993.It is presented in six categories: literature, film, theatre, classical music, visual arts and scene. In 2002 a new, seventh category was added: creator of culture.-External links:...
2010 - Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Award 2010 - Artist of the year
- Tarnów Film Award 2010 - Special Jury Award, Audience Award
"Radegast
Radegast
Radegast is a small town in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is the smallest town in Saxony-Anhalt and is located about 13 km south of the district capital of Köthen...
"
- The New York Festivals 2010 – Finalist Certificate
- International Film Festival Jewish Motifs 2009 – Silver Phoenix for Best Documentary
- Man in Danger Festival 2009 – Monumentum Iudaicum Lodzense Foundation Award
"Evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
"
- San Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
2002 – Golden Gate AwardGolden Gate AwardGolden Gate Award may refer to:* A film award at the San Francisco International Film Festival* An award part of the GLAAD Media Awards... - Kraków Film FestivalKraków Film FestivalThe Kraków Film Festival is one of Europe's oldest events dedicated to documentary, animation and other short film forms. It has been organised year after year since 1961....
2002 - Silver Dragon Award for Best Documentary Director - Kraków Film FestivalKraków Film FestivalThe Kraków Film Festival is one of Europe's oldest events dedicated to documentary, animation and other short film forms. It has been organised year after year since 1961....
2002 - Bronze Hobby Horse Award
"Alien VI"
- International Film Festival Jewish Motifs 2008 – Silver Phoenix Award for Best Short
"Kurc"
- Summer Frames Films Festival 2006 – Best Documentary
See also
- RewersRewersRewers is a 2009 Polish drama film with a fair portion of black humor, directed by Borys Lankosz.- Plot :The film is set in Warsaw in the 1950s, with a few flash-forwards to present-day Warsaw. The main character is Sabina, a quiet, shy woman who has just turned thirty, and lives together with her...
- Borys Lankosz profile on imdb.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1346665/
- Borys Lankosz profile on filmpolski.pl http://www.filmpolski.pl/fp/index.php/419041