Jak najdalej stąd (I Never Cry) is a road movie that may well repeat the artistic and commercial success of Piotr Domalewski’s fiction-film debut Cicha noc (Silent Night).
Ola, a 17-year-old girl from a small city, begins a solo journey to an unknown country. It is a journey of life, a journey into the unknown, a journey started with the intention to reconnect with her estranged father. In Ireland she encounters a different world and meets people who will change her outlook on life.
It is a journey of life, a journey into the unknown, a journey started with the intention to reconnect with her estranged father. In Ireland she encounters a different world and meets people who will change her outlook on life.
The lead actress Zosia Stafiej, a first-year student of the Acting Department of the Łódź Film School, was discovered through a nationwide audition of over a thousand girls. As such, the cast combines some fresh faces with the experience of brilliant actors such as Kinga Preis and Arkadiusz Jakubik. This is a Polish-Irish co-production with Akson Studio as the Polish production company. The cinematography was provided by Piotr Sobociński Jr., who also filmed Cicha noc.
The shooting commenced in Olsztyn, where the crew spent seven days. Piotr Domalewski expressed his appreciation for the kindness and support which the local government of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship had provided. It was the second time the Voivodeship trusted the filmmaker with a grant by co-financing his newest film project. He thanked the Town of Olsztyn for its commitment, for the organizational help during pre-production, as well as for the well-organised and safe shoot. Afterwards, the crew left for Dublin. The filming concluded in early April in Warsaw.
At 72nd Cannes International Film Festival the director and producer were invited to present an excerpt from the film as part of a festival pitch. The film’s preliminary inspection screening took place on 4th November 2019.
The Warmia-Mazury Film Fund’s Inspection Committee deemed Jak najdalej stąd to be a poignant film that will move audiences and possesses the potential to play well with the European contemporary cinematic trends, as well as the international ones (as world cinema is significantly more open to the subject of economic migration). The strength of Piotr Domalewski’s film lies in the acting. Zofia Stafiej, deservedly picked from among a thousand candidates, exudes a strong personality from the very first scene. We are certain that the sky’s the limit for the young actress. The drama and tension built up through low-key, almost documentary techniques pay off to great effect, further reinforced by Piotr Sobociński Jr’s cinematography and the unique, atmospheric score of Hania Rani.
Pictures: Bogumił Osiński, Jarosław Kowalski
