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    • NTC Award Ceremony
      New Talent Competition gives young filmmakers from Central, Eastern and Southern Europe the opportunity to present their outstanding debut or second film to the public. Join us on Sunday 1 December at 19h
    • Music at ENFF
      The Eastern Neighbours Film Festival welcomes special musical guests each year to enrich our program. For this 16th edition, we’re thrilled to present two talented young musicians: guitarist Antonio Peršak (CR) and violinist İdil Yunkuş (TR). Together, they will perform a traditional Balkan dance and folk song, highlighting the beauty of this music through the… Read more: Music at ENFF
    • Masterclass with Janez Burger
      This masterclass presents a unique opportunity to explore Burger's distinct storytelling style, genre use, and exploration of contemporary social issues. Join us on Saturday 30 November at 17h - Room 5
    • Panel Discussion: Exploration of individual and collective memory in cinema
      Panel Discussion: Exploration of individual and collective memory in cinema on Friday 29 November at 18h

Once Upon a Time in Poland

A lucid, thought-provoking documentary with elements of comedy and satire made by the well-known Czech filmmakers Vit Klusak and Filip Remunda, which deals with human encounters in Central Europe and the enormous distance that faith – or lack thereof – puts between people.

So close, yet so far. In the middle of Europe, two nations coexist close to one another, yet worlds apart. The Czechs are dedicated atheists, while the Poles are born to be baptised Catholics. Czechs shake their heads in disbelief at Polish piety, while Poles hold Czechs in contempt for living without God. The filmmakers address passers-by, nuns, employees of the anti-Semitic Radio Maryja, a priest accused of sexual harassment and an exorcist, but also a range of believers with valid and decent points of view. In the process, the filmmaker not only becomes an explorer, but also a pilgrim in search of faith. The documentary fundamentally asks a number of essential socio-political and moral questions. What has happened to Poland in recent years? And what is the identity of Central Europe and the moral common ground of these two nations?

JAK BUH HLEDAL KARLA

Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia | 2020 | 97 min

DIRECTOR: Filip Remunda

PRODUCTION: Jana Brozkova, Zdenek Holy – Vernes; Hypermarket Film, Peter Kerekes, Plesnar & Krauss Films, Krakow Festival Office, Czech Television

SCREENPLAY: Vit Klusak, Filip Remunda

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Martin Matiasek, Vit Klusak, Martin Tokar

EDITING: Hana Dvorackova

MUSIC: Jan Pavel

Saturday 23.4. / 16:45h & Sunday 24.4. / 14:45h / Zaal 2

Special guest: Director Filip Remunda

DUTCH PREMIERE

FESTIVALS & AWARDS (selection):

Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, 2021 | One World, International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, 2021 |  Millennium Docs Against Gravity, 2020 – Polish and World Premiere