NIGHT SILENCE

• Maciej Damięcki
• Zdzisław Wardejn
• Włodzimierz Press

Polish cinema has been experiencing a golden age in recent years, and one of the main contributors is Bartosz M. Kowalski, author of the impactful PLAYGROUND (Official Competition at the San Sebastian Film Festival), the chilling diptych NOBODY SLEEPS IN THE WOODS TONIGHT 1 and 2, and the distressing HELLHOLE. In his fifth feature film, the director once again creates terror from everyday events, in this case, the daily life in an apparently peaceful nursing home. The unsettling in-crescendo finally bursts in the second part in which Kowalski firmly embraces the fantasy genre, with the appearance of a series of evil creatures (real or imaginary?) that could be straight out of PAN’S LABYRINTH by Guillermo del Toro. The magnificent visual effects are on par with any American blockbuster.

Lucjan, a retired and prestigious actor about to turn 80, is admitted by his son to a nursing home. It is supposed to be temporary, while he carries out a reform in his house to accommodate the baby about to be born. Located in the countryside, the residence appears as an idyllic place, with friendly staff always ready to help and hospitable and cheerful residents… although they all hide a secret. Suddenly, he begins to have terrible visions in his dreams, which coincide with the death of several of his companions. Lucjan will have to determine if they are real or if he is losing his mind.