W Imié
In the Name Of
Małgorzata Szumowska
»I thought the idea of love between a priest and a young man very interesting and decided straightaway that I would not make a film about sexual abuse or paedophilia. If I had done so, then people would have had to pass judgment on the character. However, I wanted to understand him and tackle the topic at a more tender and perceptive level rather than merely attacking Catholics, the church or the priests. I wanted a character that is credible and human. Everybody tries to talk about the lack of love, of loneliness, but that between a priest and a young man is much more dramatic because this love – and especially homosexual desire – is not allowed in the eyes of God.«
– Małgośka Szumowska
Adam, a Catholic priest who discovered his vocation only later in life, is appointed to a village in rural Poland where he works with teenagers with behavioural problems. This is a man’s world full of testosterone, rowdy youths who fight and yell, alcohol and other forbidden things. He declines the advances of a young woman named Ewa, saying he is already spoken for. However, celibacy is not the only reason for his rejection. Adam is homosexual and his decision to become a priest was also a flight from his own sexuality. When he meets the silent Łukasz, Adam’s self-imposed abstinence becomes an increasingly heavy burden. Confronted with his desires, Adam experiences moments of both bliss and deep despair. W Imié is a film about confused emotions, repression and loneliness – and the possibility perhaps of finding oneself after all.
Awards for ›W Imié‹:
Teddy Award, Bester Spielfilm, Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin 2013
Małgorzata Szumowska
Małgorzata Szumowska zählt zu den prominentesten Filmemacher*innen Polens. Sie gewann zahlreiche internationale Preise, unter anderem den RWE Filmpreis 2013 in Dortmund und den Teddy Award für W imié… oder den Silbernen Leoparden beim Filmfestival von Locarno für 33 szeny z zycia. Body feierte seine Premiere im Wettbewerb der Berlinale 2015 und wurde mit dem Silbernen Bären für die beste Regie ausgezeichnet.
Filme von Małgorzata Szumowska (Auwahl)
W imie… 2013 | Elles 2011 | 33 szeny z zycia 2008 | Solidarnosc, Solidarnosc 2005 | Ono 2004 | Szczesliwy czlowiek 2000 | Cisza 1998