Bartosz M. Kowalski: A Dream in the Making
Always dedicated Hanka Kastelicová, executive producer of documentaries at HBO Europe, handed me the dvd of the director Kowalski, who with his first documentary work has made one of those many Polish documentaries that shine of professionalism in camerawork, editing and use of music. This time also of the director’s ability to get close to his two main characters, Pawel and Bartek (photo), to convey their friendship and hope for the future in a social and mentally devastated environment in a district of Warsaw.
In cold bluish exterior colours the film paints the picture of the area in which the two move around. Pawel, who is a bit older than Bartek, trying to help the latter to achieve what he did not manage to do in his young life. Bartek enters a school for stunt men, the film follows his development and his many physical efforts to become good in that, helped by Pawel in rooms in ruined houses where they can train. Pawel, married, outlines what is important for him and many others in similar social situations: family and Legia (football club in Warsaw). He seems like he wants to have a father role towards Bartek, who grew up in an orphanage and not with his alchoholic parents. Bartek is the one who tells the story in this very tense and talented HBO production (yes, you sense the channel’s wish to have an action-led narrative) about a world (Bartek’s words) that is a ”fucking shitty mess”.
It seems hopeless, but the director lets Bartek turn to the audience in the closing sequence with a smile that communicates that he will make it!
Poland, HBO, 50 mins.
http://culture.pl/en/work/a-dream-in-the-making-bartosz-m-kowalski
