Królewicz Olch

Polish cinema has never seen a coming-of-age film such as this before. Kuba Czekaj, one of the most audacious figures amongst an up-and-coming generation of art house filmmakers, exposes his adolescent hero's desires and suffering. In the process this intense cinema experience sends viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, as we encounter luminous red trees under water, cracks in the ground that reveal women writhing around in mud, and snarling wolves.

Taking inspiration from Goethe’s “The Erlking” Czekaj’s film takes on the form of a dialogue of the boy with himself, the outside world, and the youngster’s awakening sensual yearnings. At the same time the film portrays the boy’s attempts to break free from his mother: no one can force him to continue a life devoid of freedom, and thus he attempts to liberate himself with the help of Goethe’s poetry and a thundering style reminiscent of Rammstein. KRÓLEWICZ OLCH is a stylish film experience that you are guaranteed not to forget in a hurry. JG