Cold War

2018 Drama/Melodrama; Poland. 1hr 28 mins Cert: 15

Director: Pawel Pawlikowski

Pawel Pawlikowski’s love letter to his parents is a sweeping tale of passion and politics set in the shadow of the Iron Curtain against the backdrop of the 1950’s Cold War in Poland. Two people of differing backgrounds and temperaments begin an almost impossible romance.

The story is simple enough. Two lovers meet while he is putting together a folkloric music song and dance show. She will be one of the dancers and singers. Their destiny will be star-crossed. Frustrated with life in the Eastern Bloc, they defect to Paris, but the course of love does not run smoothly. There are political echoes, parallels and symbolism but the central love story remains absorbing and captivating. The music, song and dance within the film is entrancing whilst it is also beautifully shot and wonderfully acted. It has been described as reminiscent of the classic ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being,’ and won best film, director, screenplay and actress at the 2018 European Film Awards