International Film Selection
Under the Volcano
- Onsite
- 7.19 (Sat) 14:10 Audio Visual Hall
©Lizart Film, Hawk Art, MGM, TVP
Director: Damian KOCUR
Cast: Sofiia BEREZOVSKA, Roman LUTSKYI, Anastasia KARPENKO, Fedir PUGACHOV, Mike MENSAH
2024 / Poland / 105min.
A Ukrainian family of four—father, stepmother, sister, and younger brother—are enjoying the final day of their holiday in Tenerife, a volcanic island in Spain. But the next morning, Ukraine is invaded by Russia, and they find themselves trapped on the island after their return flight is cancelled. Amidst the carefree atmosphere of the tourist paradise, they learn of the urgent crisis unfolding in their homeland through their phones. Overnight, the tourists become refugees, suddenly forced to face alienation, anxiety, fear and the emotional turmoil that they each carry. Sofiia Berezovska who plays Sofia, the older sister, delivers a natural performance, flawlessly portraying the fragility and inner conflicts of adolescence. Polish director Damian Kocur has said, “I have the impression that I have some kind of responsibility and duty as a filmmaker to talk about what is important in both a social and political context”. His second feature-length work, the film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 before being selected as Poland’s submission for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category (formerly Best Foreign Language Film).
©by Damian Kocur
Director: Damian KOCUR
Damian Kocur is a director, scriptwriter, and cinematographer. Currently pursuing a PhD at the Łódź Film School in Poland, he has created several internationally awarded short films. His debut feature-length film BREAD AND SALT (22) won the Special Jury Prize in the Orizzonti competition at the Venice Film Festival 2022, and has also received awards at the Cairo IFF, Antalya IFF, Cottbus Film Festival, and many more. His last short film AS IT WAS (23) was nominated for a Palme d’Or at Cannes 2023.
Message
“Are we really safe?” That is the question. More than ever, the state of the world feels as though it is on the brink of a volcanic eruption. And yet, as we go to bed at night, we reassure ourselves that such an “eruption” will never occur during our lifetime. As it stands, the burden of unresolved social conflicts and climate change has been placed on the shoulders of the next generation. But on some level, we must all sense that the tension and threats of conflict are palpable in every corner of the world.
