Zimna Wojna (Cold War)

With Zimna Wojna, his second Polish film, Pawel Pawlikowksi just confirms what he traced in Ida, an outstanding elegance and sense of narrative rhythm. It's difficult to say which of this two films is better, but certainly both of them are among the very best ones in contemporary European cinema. If on first sight, they might seem similar, being period dramas about the war filmed in exquisite black and white, there are several differences between them that keeps them as unique pieces that are tracing a particular style of their author.

Zimna Wojna is entirely a tribute to classic cinema, Pawlikowski delivers a traditional love story relying on very formal techniques, both in its narrative and aesthetics, Exploring the impossibility to love within a totalitarian regime, A musician who teaches in a Polish music academy falls in love with one of the students, and they plan to escape the country in one of their tours, just to find out that life together won't be as easy as they thought. Relying on the two main characters, developing their emotions in a way that makes us think of another great Polish filmmaker, Krzysztof Kieslowski, but also chic and sexy in the best Fellini style. This film is a reminder on how great the classic cinema, without tricks and effectism, just the power of good storytelling and the impact of perfect images.

We need to give a special mention to the work of Joanna Kulig in the female lead; she'a a force of nature and steals every scene where she is, nailing the intensity of her character, shining in Zula's best moments, charming and seductive, a classic diva like Jean Seberg or Claudia Cardinale, but also very capable of reaching the darker registers that such a complex character demanded. The other big star of the film, is the music, going from traditional folk Polish songs to sultry jazz, it uses a few leitmotifs that go changing to suit the temporality and the mood that the director aims for every scene.

Over all, it is a beautiful film to watch, sophisticated and smart, a masterclass in composition and use of light for filming in black and white. It posses a deep melancholy without falling for melodrama in a single moment. Subtle in its politic arguments (it could actually might have allowed itself to be more political due to the nature of the theme), it is short and focused, not allowing superficial digressions; every dialogue, every camera movement, every musical note is there for a very well thought reason.