Tropic Sprockets / Cold War

By Ian Brockway

 

Director Pawel Pawlikowski is known for striking images, and Oscar nominated “Cold War” is no exception, telling a story of a man and woman with injured psyches who try to manage in Poland through the years. It is haunting and stark and the film sneaks up on you with a punch.

Wiktor (Tomasz Kot) is a musician who works for the government. Working on a propaganda program, he sees the vibrant Zula (Joana Kulig) possessing a wonderful voice. Wiktor is entranced.

The two commence an affair with Zula singing at Communist party shows while Wiktor dreams of other possibilities. He becomes glued to her and proposes to meet Zula at the border to escape, but she doesn’t show.

Wiktor’s face and his blank eyes are juxtaposed with the solid block buildings of Warsaw and the dark sky.

He enters a church opening and looks at a skylight.

Wiktor manages to travel to Paris. Zula walks into a cafe and he learns that she has married.

The two begin an affair, strange and opaque.

Wiktor becomes energized by Paris while Zula still feels close to Poland. Zula loves him, but she begins to drink and criticize him harshly for being a superficial expatriate. Zula also grows jealous.

One gets the horrible feeling that Wiktor is helpless and not in control of his actions.

The film is excellent in its study of the contrast between East and West. Warsaw is dark, flat and silent. Paris is bright, pulsing with music and full of human movement.

As if stuck in a dream, Wiktor realizes that all of his actions have led him to his fate. A seemingly affectionate meeting between the two lovers will hit you without warning.

Pawlikowski is a master of minimalism. The director never overloads the screen. All it takes is a quick shot of a face, stricken with longing and we see everything that is necessary.

“Cold War” is another stark and rhythmic study of the human condition equal to “Ida” if not better. The final scene has a gruesome yet graceful impact that makes the story all the more powerful.

Write Ian at ianfree11@yahoo.com

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