Details
The film follows poet Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński, artist Stanisław Witkiewicz, writer Joseph Conrad, and anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski, four famous figures of the Zakopane bohemian scene. They wake up after an all-night drunken party with a dead man on their couch, and they have no clue who that was, why he is dead, or why the police are knocking at the door. A race against the clock ensues in which the protagonists must absolve themselves of suspicion and the spread of dangerous rumors. They also have to solve the case of the baffling death as quickly as possible. Thanks to these brilliant, thrill-seeking gentlemen, culturally vibrant Zakopane becomes the backdrop for a great web of intrigue involving gangsters, artists, and politicians. The protagonists are soon confronted by none other than Vladimir Lenin, who has just arrived in Poronin.
Trivia
Zakopane in the 1920s was akin to the Polish Paris of the era – where you had all of the most significant artists, writers, explorers and free thinkers of the time flocking to the same few pubs and influencing one another. The result, both in Paris and Zakopane, was an explosion of creativity that continues to move and inspire people over 100 years later.
Meet the Cast
Directors
Director's Statement
It was a long process of writing, rewriting, script-doctoring and ‘killing my darlings’ to make the story airtight...
I wanted to make a movie that would inspire people to discover, or rediscover, these artists anew. Most people remember their names from school exams or know them from street signs – it's such a pity! The body of work left behind by these people is a literal treasure trove. There are so many fascinating stories that are relevant to this day. The same goes for their private lives, which were much more adventurous and dramatic than what is taught at school. That being said, my primary motive was to make a riveting movie – one people would enjoy, find inspiring or simply have a great time watching. If it could also be a vehicle to bring these artists back into the public eye, even better. They're worth it.
