Stepped in the craft of cinematography, the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival cast its spotlight on Toruń once again, marking a cinematic celebration that extends from November 11 to 18, 2023. As the festival enters its 31st edition, the Special Screening, a curated assortment of cinematic gems, offers films chosen for their exceptional visual allure, aesthetic brilliance, and technical prowess. We delve into five standout films from the selection, offering a glimpse into the diverse narratives that promise to define the landscape at EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2023.
“Priscilla”
Teaming up with the legendary Philippe Le Sourd, Sofia Coppola delves into the world behind the dazzling facade of the iconic rock-and-roll sensation. Le Sourd, acclaimed for his work on films like Wong Karwai’s “The Grandmaster” that earned him an Academy Award nomination, ventured into the realm of digital cameras for the first time in his career with “Priscilla” (USA, Italy, 2023). The story opens with a serendipitous encounter between the youthful Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) and the meteoric Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi)—a meeting that transforms the larger-than-life public figure into an entirely unexpected persona during intimate moments. Coppola skillfully peels back the layers of the great American myth, unraveling the untold story of Elvis and Priscilla’s protracted courtship and tumultuous union. The movie unfolds their love story from a German army base to Elvis’s dreamy Graceland estate, revealing the human side of fame, love, and dreams. It’s a touching, beautifully detailed tale of what happens when the spotlight fades, and real life takes center stage.
!["Chłopi" [The Peasants], dir. DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman](https://static.contemporarylynx.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/camerimage-film-festival-5.jpg)
“The Peasants”
The directing duo, comprised of a wife and husband, best known for their work on “Loving Vincent,” is back with an animated adaptation of Władysław Reymont’s celebrated 1924 Nobel Prize-winning novel. This time, the film involves live-action filming of actors, followed by the creation of 40,000 oil paintings layered onto the photographic images. “The Peasants” (Poland, Serbia, Lithuania, 2023) has proudly been selected as Poland’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards. Beyond its compelling narrative, the film’s soundtrack has added another feather to its cap, vying for an esteemed nomination in the fiercely competitive Best Original Score category. Set amidst the tapestry of a late 19th-century Polish village, the story follows Jagna (Kamila Urzędowska), a spirited young woman determined to carve out her destiny. In a tightly knit community, a cauldron of gossip, and long-standing disputes, the society remains bound by a collective pride in their soil, vibrant customs, and an entrenched patriarchal order that spans both the affluent and the destitute. As Jagna becomes entangled in the conflicting desires of the village’s wealthiest landowner, his eldest son, and other influential figures, her resilience sets the stage for a tragically inevitable clash with the societal norms that envelop her.
“The Creator”
In “The Creator,” (USA, 2023) director Gareth Edwards invites us on a cinematic odyssey that delves into the enigmatic realms of tomorrow. The sci-fi story is lensed by the formidable duo of Academy Award-winning Greig Fraser and his protégé, the promising Oren Soffer, rising as one of the most thrilling cinematographers on the rise in Hollywood. The narrative follows Joshua (John David Washington), a weathered ex-special forces operative grappling with the haunting absence of his spouse. As he is enlisted for a mission that transcends the conventional boundaries of warfare, his story unfolds, from tracking the Creator, the mastermind behind cutting-edge AI advancements, to elimination of an apocalyptic device cleverly disguised as an innocent, childlike figure. “The Creator” touches on the human-AI dynamic and beckons viewers to contemplate the ambiguous trajectory of our coexistence with advanced technology.
“Eileen”
Directed by William Olroyd is the world adapted from the novel penned by the literary force, Ottessa Moshfegh. Premiering at the prestigious 2023 Sundance Film Festival, the film unmasks a world of intrigue, masterfully portrayed by Thomasin McKenzie as the unconventional young protagonist. In the hands of Australian cinematographer Ari Wegner, the texture of “Eileen” (USA, 2023) comes to life, transporting viewers to the setting of 1960s Boston. Wegner paints a portrait of Eileen’s world—emotionally haunted walls of her home and the confines of a prison where she works. However, the monotony is shattered when an enchanting woman enters the prison staff, turning Eileen’s world upside down in unexpected and enthralling ways. Olroyd, through his directorial finesse, invites us into a narrative that transcends the ordinary, promising a cinematic experience that lingers in the heart and mind. However, just as the prospect of a life-altering companionship emerges, her newfound confidante ensnares her in a shocking transgression that irrevocably reshapes the trajectory of her life.
“The Holdovers”
In this latest offering from the esteemed filmmaker Alexander Payne, “The Holdovers” (USA, 2023) unfolds the story of a cantankerous teacher (Paul Giamatti) at a renowned American school compelled to stay on campus over Christmas break and look after a group of students without alternate plans. Lensed by cinematographer, Eigil Bryld, the upcoming film holds the tantalizing promise of not just telling but immersing audiences in the evocative spirit of a bygone era, in the 1970s. With a commitment to authenticity, the talents behind the camera pledge to breathe life into the captivating narrative that unfolds within the hallowed halls of a boarding school. As the narrative unfolds, an unexpected connection emerges between the instructor and one of the students, a troubled yet intelligent troublemaker. Meanwhile, another poignant relationship develops with the school’s head cook, who is grappling with the recent loss of her son in Vietnam.
