The film tells the story of ordinary people in difficult times. In Lankosz’s film the fate of the individual is presented on the flipside of Polish history. The lead characters live in the shadows of historical events and are dependent on them, although they are able to oppose the soulless machine of history of with humanity and universal values.
Warsaw, 1952. The apex of Stalinism. Sabina, a shy and sensitive young woman lives together with her mother and grandmother who want nothing more than to get her married, though the subtle girl dreams of great and true love. One evening she is attacked. The man od her dreams comes to her rescue, she immediately falls in love with him. She doesn’t know that brave Bronisław is in reality a cruel official from the Public Security Office (UB). When he reveals his true nature the woman takes drastic steps to protect herself and her family. Many years later Sabina is visited by her son who lives in the USA. He has the same face as his father, but is the complete reverse of him in all other aspects…
“The Reverse” is a dark comedy but also a historical drama firmly set in the reality of the depicted era. The creators of the film take advantage of artistic conventions and pastiche invoking noir and socialist propaganda film styles.
One of the best Polish films of the XXIst century, triumphant at the Gdynia Polish Film Festival, winner of several Polish Film Academy “Orły” awards and of “Złota Kaczka” (“Golden Duck”) awards from “Film” magazine readers.
The feature film debut of director Borys Lankosz.
Stellar acting by a fantastic cast with Agata Buzek’s playing the best role in her acting career.
Artistic, mostly black and white cinematography by Marcin Koszałka received the “Brązowa Żaba” (“Bronze Frog”) award at the Camerimage festival. Specially chosen filters and lenses give viewers a peek at characters and stories which passed over half a decade earlier.
The ambiance of the era is additionally emphasized through the score by Włodek Pawlik, one Poland’s most popular jazz pianists.
Awards
Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia:
- Golden Lions for Best film
- Best Actress in a leading role (Agata Buzek),
- Best Actor in a supporting role (Marcin Dorociński),
- Best Music (Włodzimierz Pawlik),
- Best Cinematography (Marcin Koszałka),
- Journalists Award,
- Audience Award
The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimage:
- Bronze Frog for Best cinematographer (Marcin Koszałka)
Warsaw Film Festival:
- International Federation of Film Critics Prize (FIPRESCI)
Eagle (Polish Film Award), awards in categories:
- Best film
- Best Actress (Agata Buzek),
- Best Supporting Actress (Anna Polony),
- Best Screenplay (Andrzej Bart),
- Best Music (Włodzimierz Pawlik),
- Best Production Design (Magdalena Dipont, Robert Czesak),
- Best Costume Design (Magdalena Biedrzycka),
- Discovery of the Year (Borys Lankosz)
Golden Duck (awarded by Film magazine), in categories:
- Best Actress (Agata Buzek),
- Best Cinematographer (Marcin Koszałka),
- Best Screenwriter (Andrzej Bart)
Trailer
