THE WORD by Anna Kazejak

PRESS KIT (download at www.levelk.dk)

Berlin Publicity: Organic Publicity Kirsty Langsdale – [email protected] / +44 7507 640 810 Katie Paxton – [email protected] / +44 7508 096 774

International distribution and festivals: LevelK Tine Klint - Managing Director - [email protected] / +45 2010 8580 Natja Rosner - Head of Sales and Acquisitions - [email protected] / +45 3048 3912 Freja Johanne - Sales & Festival Coordinator - [email protected] / +45 2019 3167 ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Tagline

How far would you go for love? This is the question Lila asks her unfaithful partner Janek. Before she takes him back he will need to go to the extreme.

Synopsis

Three weeks ago, LILA’s world fell apart when her girlfriends happily reported that they saw Lila’s boyfriend, JANEK, kissing another girl during a party. This comes as a shock since Janek only had eyes for her and what they had felt so real. Lila can’t forgive him; she trusted him more than anyone else is her life. Days before the end of the school year, she gives Janek an ultimatum: Janek has 24 hours to prove his true love. Otherwise, he can forget about ever being with Lila again.

Technical Data

Title The Word Original Title Obietnica Genre Drama

Production Year 2014 Country of Origin Poland Language Spoken Polish, Danish Duration 97 minutes Shot on Alexa, Digital 2K Screen Ratio 1:2,39 Format (ex. DCP, 35mm) 2D DCP Sound format Dolby Digital

Domestic release 2014 by Kino Swiat Incl. Distributor name Admission/rating To be announced Incl. PG, 18+ etc

Production Company Opus Film, Poland Producer Lukasz Dzieciol Co-producer and Jesper Morthorst, SF Film Production, Company/Country Denmark

Cinematographer Klaudiusz Dwulit Editor Morten Højbjerg Sound Designer Kristian Selin Eidnes Andersen Composer Kristian Selin Eidnes Andersen Still photographer (If several please list Phillip Skraba separately) Scriptwriter Magnus von Horn, Anna Kazejak

Director Anna Kazejak Eliza Rycembel, Mateusz Więcławek, Magdalena Popławska, Dawid Ogrodnik, Andrzej Chyra, Stine Stengade, Luxuria Cast Astaroth, Jowita Budnik, Bartek Topa, Nikodem Rozbicki, Krzysztof Bauman, Andrzej Konopka

Budget (EUR/USD) 1.300.603,17 € Opus Film, SF Film Production, Polish Film Institute, Eurimages, Danish Film Institute, Financiers / Investors or Pomerania Regional Film Fund, Mainstream, other involved production Cameo Film, TV2 Denmark partners

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Director's statement – by Anna Kazejak

Liliana is a 14-year-old, junior high student. Her boyfriend, Janek, is a year older than her. Misunderstood love and relative values in the world they live in, impel them to commit a heinous crime. She is the mastermind. He is the blunt tool that she uses to execute her plan. I see these two characters as representative of the new generation that possesses all the benefits of the Western world. They are free, without any historical or political burdens, but still, they use the freedom to create their own prisons. This concept is key to understanding the story in "The Word".

When going over various court transcripts, we got some insight into human emotions and their complexity. This insight allowed us to create non-cliched characters who are not easily judged or categorized. Lila and Janek really love each other. However, they are not able to carry the burden of their own guilt, anger, and shared jealousy. They live in a world that gives them everything and does not demand anything in return. Perhaps that is the reason that they create a system of stringent rules; and the breaking of these rules demands a high price. Their uncompromising stance and conviction of their point of view is typical for their age group.

"The Word" is a film set in contemporary Poland. The story was inspired by real-life events that have been taking place in Poland and abroad. What happens in the story is not specific to the reality in Poland; a reality that has gone through a complete sea change during the last two decades. The abundance of obvious benefits comes with dangers previously foreign to us. The point is to look at our European culture, and the things that are crawling underneath our skin whose effect we see on the front pages every time a newspaper reports on gruesome teenage crime. In our era of relativism, it is hard to have a single all-around moral code - something that would be very helpful to an adolescent. Attempts at stress-free education and raising children in a world that lacks boundaries, role models, and inconsistent authority figures, are giving rise to a generation of lonely, young people.

Still, I am not looking to point fingers or propose theories. I want to share a vision of a world rushing forward in which adults are lost children themselves., During this type of “absence” of their parents, actual children decide a code of crime and punishment completely independent of outside influence. Setting the film in the city of Szczecin, a city on the Polish-German border, is also no accident. Szczecin lies closer to Berlin or Copenhagen than to Warsaw. That is the reason for people living there to go abroad for work. That is also an important element of our story.

"The Word" is a raw film told in a naturalistic style, leaving nothing between us and the world. Here, truth is paramount. Placing the events in a very short time span will give a certain precision to the story. Considering the above, I am very happy to be working in concert with Danish producers. I consider the achievements of Danish cinema during the past years (i.e. Dogme ’95 and Lars von Trier) to be a great inspiration. Although my previous film was made in a different convention (i.e. formal academism), the realistic convention has always been close to my heart. Thus, "The Word" will be made in that style that I used in my previous short films as well as my section of "Ode to Joy;” a style that I consider an allusion to Danish cinematography.

Narration in a film is never objective. Subjective perception allows us to not only to build a certain feel of mystery and suspense, but also helps us penetrate the world of the characters; characters whose decisions may seem unclear at first. To bring the audience as close as possible to our protagonist, we will shoot the camera will constantly be on a Stedicam, with some parts being shot handheld.

The film should be ascetic, and thus, expressive. We hope to enhance this by filming in locations close to each other, telling the story in a short span of time, and pushing the plot points close to each other. In addition to this, we will aim for naturalistic performances and have decided not to score the film.

I do not believe that people are born evil. "The Word" is a film about teenagers under pressure that they make for themselves. It is a side of our mind so dark, that it is too difficult to penetrate and thus, seems irrational. It is too brutal and terrifying for us to grasp it. We have to tell the story because there is nothing simpler than to denounce evil, and nothing more difficult attempting to understand it.

Anna Kazejak - Director's bio

Anna Kazejak is a film director and screenwriter. Prior to attending at the National Film School in Lodz in 2001, she spent many years studying film theory. Her first documentary student film, Pulse, garnered attention from film festivals throughout the world. Her next short, You Are There, garnered awards for Kazejak, as well as the director of photography, Klaudiusz Dwulit. (Main Prize for Best Short Film – FilmFestival Cottbus, Festival of East European Cinema, 2004; Best Short Film – „Sisily” Film Festival, Tbilisi, 2005; Main Prize, CEI Section – Maremetraggio Film Festival, Triest 2005.)

In 2005, Kazejak and two of her friends from school decided to produce a three part film dealing with the economic migrations of young Poles. This film was the much-celebrated, Ode To Joy. The three directors not only won the hearts of critics, but won many major prizes. (Special Jury Prize - Gdynia Film Festival, 2005; Platinum Award for Best Low Budget Production - WorldFest Independent Film Festival, Huston, 2007). This film was also the first Polish film to screen in competition at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

A Few Simple Words was her diploma film produced right after to her feature film debut. This touching story has garnered prizes at film festivals around the world (Best Feature Film, Young Talent Film Award - 37the International Film Festival Sehsuchte, Potsdam, 2008; Main Prize, Next Reel International Film Festival, New York-Singapore, 2007). The lead actress, Agata Kulesza, was awarded many prizes for her performance (Best Actress, 13 OURENSE International Film Festival, 2008) and was the preface to a major career.

The first feature helmed by Kazejak was Flying Pigs, that had an all-star cast, including Cezary Pazura, Agata Kulesza, and Paweł Małatyński. The film was seen by 350,000 movie-goers (a high percentage for an art house film) and has been shown on Canal+, TVP, and TVP Kultura among others. Kazejak has made documentary films and worked in television formats. Her stand out directing work in television was for numerous episodes of HBO Poland’s version of In Treatment.

With The Word, Kazejak took part in the Coproduction Market during the Berlin IFF and the script workshops with Christopher Volger at the Gdynia Film Festival in 2012. She has many screenplay prizes (among others: Hartley-Merrill 2008 and Script Pro 2013). She is a member of the European Film Academy.

Filmography:

2012 In Treatment - Season 2 (Bez Tajemnic), 30 min., 14 episodes. 2011 In Treatment - Season 1 (Bez Tajemnic), 30 min., 22 episodes. 2010 Flying Pigs (Skrzydlate Świnie), 106 min., narrative feature. 2009 The Sidetrack (Bocznica), 46 min., documentary. 2007 A Few Simple Words (Kilka Prostych Słów), 35 min., narrative. 2006 Appetite for Love (Apetyt na Miłość), ep.. 1-13, television series. 2005 Ode to Joy (Oda do Radości - Silesian episode), 116 min., narrative feature. 2004 You Are There (Jesteś Tam), 13 min., narrative. We Are (Jesteśmy), 15 min., documentary. 2003 Pulse (Puls), 9 min., documentary. My Place (Moje Miejsce), 14 min., documentary. 2002 From Above (Z Góry), 9 min., narrative.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Lukasz Dzieciol - Producer's bio

A master's graduate in Film Studies from the University of Lodz, Lukasz Dzieciol also participated in the International Producing Programme at Cologne's IFS Internationale Filmschule and in the Los Angeles Film School Producing Program. For the past 10 years, he has been working at Opus Film, a feature film and commercials company, in which he shares ownership. Lukasz's production credits include Slawomir Fabicki's Retrieval, which premiered in 2006 in Un Certain Regard in Cannes and was Poland's candidate for the Foreign Language Oscar. He also produced Adam Guzinski's A Boy On A Galloping Horse which screened Out of competition in Cannes' official selection the same year.

Recently, he produced Zero by Pawel Borowski, My Flesh My Blood by Marcin Wrona, Courage by Greg Zglinski and The Word by Anna Kazejak. The films were screened at several international festivals and garnered major film prizes, respectively. Apart from his work in Europe, Lukasz has also produced film projects in the United States and remains actively involved in ongoing co-operations with US-based production companies.

In 2011, he was selected for European Film Promotion’s networking platform, PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE, at the Cannes International Film Festival. Since 2011 he is a member of THE POLISH FILM ACADEMY and EUROPEAN FILM ACADEMY.

ABOUT THE CAST

Cast List

LILA Eliza Rycembel JANEK Mateusz Więcławek SYLWIA Magdalena Popławska DANIEL Dawid Ogrodnik KONRAD Andrzej Chyra KIRSTEN Stine Stengade ANGELIKA Luxuria Astaroth JANEK’S MOTHER Jowita Budnik JANEK’S FATHER Bartek Topa MALWINA Sara Sobania PRINCIPAL Małgorzata Klara SEBA Maciej Cempura GREGORY Nikodem Rozbicki WITEK Michał Surosz MATKA MALWINY Edyta Niwińska INVESTIGATOR Krzysztof Bauman POLICE OFFICER Andrzej Konopka KIRSTEN Stine Stengade ROSA Ellen-Mai Aalling Teilmann

Eliza Rycembel - "Lila"

Currently studying at LART Acting Studio, Cracow. The Word is her feature film debut.

Mateusz Wieclawek - "Janek"

Currently studying at LART Acting Studio, Cracow. The Word is his feature film debut.

Magdalena Poplawska - "Sylwia"

Theatre and film actress. Magdalena debuted in November 2003 on the stage of the TR Rozmaitości, in Falk Richter’s "Electronic City". For a long time she was not associated with one particular scene and performed in various theaters in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan and Wroclaw, collecting numerous awards at theatre festivals. She also appeared on Stage Songs Festival, where in 2003 she won second place in the competition. As a scholar of the Institut del Teatre Catalan went to Barcelona, since 2008 is linked to the New Theatre Krzysztof Warlikowski. Playing in his two highprofile performances - "(A) pollonia" and "End" . In 2005, Magdalena Popławska debut in Przemek Wojcieszek "Good afternoon". She is a member of the European Film Academy (EFA). Sister of actress Aleksandra Popławska.

Andrzej Chyra - "Konrad"

Actor and theater director. In 1987 he graduated the National Theatre School and in 1994, at the same university, Faculty of Directing. His screen debut performance was in "Kolejność uczuć" by Radosław Piwowarski. Year later he directed at Warsaw Theater - Stara Przechowalnia play called "Z dziejów alkoholizmu w Polsce”. He became popular for his roles in such films as "Dług" or "Kallafiorr”.

Bartek Topa - "Janek's father"

Actor and film producer. Co-founder of the production company FilmIt.

Jowita Budnik - "Janek's mother"

Jowita Budnik was born on 28 November 1973 in Warsaw. Her screen debut was at the age of 12 in “Kochankowie mojej mamy” by Radoslaw Piwowarski . High popularity has brought its share of the first Polish soap opera “W labiryncie”, which portrays a rebellious stepdaughter of one of the main characters, played by Mark Kondrat. In the 90s Jowita Budnik played episodic roles in Polish and French films as well as in many TV series, and has guest appeared in Ochota Theatre and Powszechny Theatre . At this time she was also employed in the actor agency Gudejko, where she works till today as an agent. The turning point in her professional life was meeting with Krzysztof Krauze , who in 2000 cast her for one of the main roles in his TV movie “Sieć” from the series “Wielkie rzeczy”. She also appeared - in episodes - in “Dług” and “Mój Nikifor” . In 2005, Krauze and Joanna Kos - Krauze wrote the screenplay “Plac Zabwiciela” where the main character was created especially for Jowita. She played a woman humiliated and oppressed by her husband and mother in law. Her role was met with enthusiastic reception from most critics and jurors of the 31st Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, who awarded her the prize for the leading female role.

COMPANY PROFILES

Production company - Opus Film www.opusfilm.com

Opus Film is one of the leading Polish independent companies dealing with film and TV production active in Polish market since 1991 .Its headquarters are based in Lodz, on the premises of the former Lodz Film Studio where Opus owns the sound stages. Opus has also an office in Warsaw. The company is known for its work with young, first or second time feature film directors, helping them to develop their projects and producing them. Opus Film is also actively promoting Polish film industry beyond Polish borders, co-producing films with foreign partners and providing shooting services for foreign productions.

Co-production company - SF Film Production https://www.facebook.com/SFFILMPRODUCTION

SF FILM PRODUCTION was founded in Copenhagen in 2005, and is a part of the Nordic film and distribution company SF FILM. SF FILM PRODUCTION produces feature films, TV series, documentaries, and short films of high artistic value and with a broad audience potential.

At the moment SF FILM PRODUCTION is producing/co-producing 3 exciting feature films with international potential. SILENT HEART - the new feature film from the internationally acclaimed and award winning director Bille August, the Polish/Danish feature film THE WORD directed by Anna Kazejak, premiering at the Berlinale 2014, and WHITE PEOPLE directed by Swedish Lisa Aschan. All three films will have theatrical release in 2014.

SF FILM PRODUCTION is also very busy with development and production of TV series. Currently we are working on the second season of the drama series THE SEASIDE HOTEL, third season of the award winning dramedy RITA (sold for US remake), and a new Nordic Noir crime-drama series NORSKOV.

International Distribution - LevelK http://www.LevelK.dk

LevelK is handling worldwide distribution for International Film & TV production companies. Established in 2009, LevelK has assembled a stable of critically-acclaimed titles and commercial hits. Based in Copenhagen and New York, the company has a presence that extends globally and a dynamism that is reflected through LevelK’s approach to innovative cross-platform distribution and marketing alongside traditional means. LevelK is a recognized distribution partner for iTunes, Amazon, YouSee, Cinecliq etc.