What are the limits of the body and mind of a 9-year-old gymnast trained to achieve top results? A though-provoking, beautifully made short doc. Dutch Premiere

Synopsis

Every day Justyna needs to be stronger and more determined if she wants to beat her colleagues in all competition races. She is nine year old girl who is training professionally in rhythmic gymnastics. She also takes part in competitions where she needs to show perfection in her performance and demonstrate the level of discipline that goes beyond the abilities of girls of her age. Instead of having fun, her trainings are filled with sweat and tears. If she is not able to endure, trainers suggest her to take up chess as a hobby. But she is not ready to give up. However, despite the enormous efforts she does not always manage to stand on the podium. When she loses her hopes for wining, she decides to start training five-year gymnasts by herself.

Festivals & Awards (selection)

AFI DOCS, Washington DC 2018 | Okiem Mlodych International Documentary FF, Poland 2017 – Young City Council award | MiradasDoc International Documentary FF, Spain 2018 | Valencia IFF Cinema Jove, 2018 | MakeDox, 2018 | Minsk IFF Listapad, 2017 | Krakow FF, 2017

Director’s bio

Anna Pawluczuk (Bialystock, 1991) is film directing student at Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Lodz. She is a Bachelor of Cultural Studies and Film Production technician. Earlier in her life she worked on ZUBROFFKA Short Movie Festival and Underground/Independent Festival. Anna is very enthusiastic about film education and worked as coordinator of filmmaking courses in Bialystok. She is also experienced as a radio journalist. Now she is cooperating with one of the biggest Film magazine in Poland in its on-line version. Filmography: ‘One Two Zero’ (2016), ‘Good luck’ (2016), ‘I Love You’ (2015), ‘Fighting Fish’ (2015).