I must say I am humbled by the experience that I went through, to be transported back to Warsaw uprising in 1944, during the 63-day struggle to liberate World War 2 Warsaw from Nazi/German occupation. Historically Warsaw could have been first city liberated from German oppression, however due to various military and political miscalculations, as well as global politics which played among Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Red Army stopped at the line of the Vistula River letting the rest of the Polish resistance to bled out.
Kevin Spacey once famously said that the theatre is actor's medium, film is director's. It is indeed director's taste and sensibilities as well as his background that creates the style of the filmmaking he/she often shows in his/her movies. Polish writer/director Jan Komasa achieved something very moving and special at the same time, in creating a world that feels truly authentic in it's depiction of violence and sacrifice Poles had to go through, in their fight with German occupying force. It can be said that perhaps "Warsaw 44" might be a little bit too rough and does not leave too much to imagination, being very graphic in its battlefield scenes, constantly holding the audience in state of tension, but there is more depth here that essentially meets the eye at first. I think that was indeed the purpose of this film to experience the horror of what it had to be like, to participate in those tragic times. By focusing on a microcosmos of few characters, the director created a sense of comradeship with the characters. Essentially it is a story of 18-year-old Stefan who works to support his mother and his younger brother. The Home Army command decides to attack the weakened Germans withdrawing to the West. Stefan wants to fight the enemy with his friends and his loved one by his side. The first days of the uprising are joyous, the enemy retreats. But their happiness doesn't last long. The German army enters Warsaw, the uprising is doomed. There is a love triangle between Stefan (Józef Pawłowski), Alicja (Zofia Wichlacz) and Kamila (Anna Próchniak) that adds to the intensity of the piece. Above mentioned actors are relatively unknown and by casting them the viewer can easily identify with their struggle.
The battlefield scenes are second to none comfortably capable to compete with any Hollywood blockbuster productions of the last few years. Komasa utilizes the music and sound design to truly put you in a place of our protagonists. There are some questionable stylistic choices, including a sex scene between Stefan and Kamila, which could have been taken out of "Matrix: Reloaded". Where dub step music inter cut together with slow motion of the soldiers surrounded by fire, can be more fitting in a music video, instead of serious war drama. On few occasions Komasa uses a game like, first person shooter point of view, that can feel bit gimmicky and self- indulgent, as well as out of place in piece of this sort. This is where directors stylistic immaturity and balance between the substance (visual techniques) over the content (narration of the story) takes charge, though they can be overlooked due to the overall quality of the production. Apart form those few minor stylistic mishaps I must say "Warsaw 44" or "City 44" (the film can be identified by both titles) is wonderfully refreshing look at the atrocities of WW2, told through the perspective of a young mans eyes which indeed can be seen on the screen. The production and the costume design as well as sheer scope are absolutely breathtaking. Considering the subject, emotionality of the acting and concentration of heroism on Poles, versus movies that are often noticed by the Academy of Motion Pictures, with subject of the holocaust or stories of struggle by Jewish people, sadly this film will not receive the attention it rightfully deserves and it is pity indeed, because movies of this quality are created once in a blue moon. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend this film and you don't have to be Polish to truly enjoy it. Well done Jan Komasa, well done indeed. Highly RECOMMENDED!
Kevin Spacey once famously said that the theatre is actor's medium, film is director's. It is indeed director's taste and sensibilities as well as his background that creates the style of the filmmaking he/she often shows in his/her movies. Polish writer/director Jan Komasa achieved something very moving and special at the same time, in creating a world that feels truly authentic in it's depiction of violence and sacrifice Poles had to go through, in their fight with German occupying force. It can be said that perhaps "Warsaw 44" might be a little bit too rough and does not leave too much to imagination, being very graphic in its battlefield scenes, constantly holding the audience in state of tension, but there is more depth here that essentially meets the eye at first. I think that was indeed the purpose of this film to experience the horror of what it had to be like, to participate in those tragic times. By focusing on a microcosmos of few characters, the director created a sense of comradeship with the characters. Essentially it is a story of 18-year-old Stefan who works to support his mother and his younger brother. The Home Army command decides to attack the weakened Germans withdrawing to the West. Stefan wants to fight the enemy with his friends and his loved one by his side. The first days of the uprising are joyous, the enemy retreats. But their happiness doesn't last long. The German army enters Warsaw, the uprising is doomed. There is a love triangle between Stefan (Józef Pawłowski), Alicja (Zofia Wichlacz) and Kamila (Anna Próchniak) that adds to the intensity of the piece. Above mentioned actors are relatively unknown and by casting them the viewer can easily identify with their struggle.
The battlefield scenes are second to none comfortably capable to compete with any Hollywood blockbuster productions of the last few years. Komasa utilizes the music and sound design to truly put you in a place of our protagonists. There are some questionable stylistic choices, including a sex scene between Stefan and Kamila, which could have been taken out of "Matrix: Reloaded". Where dub step music inter cut together with slow motion of the soldiers surrounded by fire, can be more fitting in a music video, instead of serious war drama. On few occasions Komasa uses a game like, first person shooter point of view, that can feel bit gimmicky and self- indulgent, as well as out of place in piece of this sort. This is where directors stylistic immaturity and balance between the substance (visual techniques) over the content (narration of the story) takes charge, though they can be overlooked due to the overall quality of the production. Apart form those few minor stylistic mishaps I must say "Warsaw 44" or "City 44" (the film can be identified by both titles) is wonderfully refreshing look at the atrocities of WW2, told through the perspective of a young mans eyes which indeed can be seen on the screen. The production and the costume design as well as sheer scope are absolutely breathtaking. Considering the subject, emotionality of the acting and concentration of heroism on Poles, versus movies that are often noticed by the Academy of Motion Pictures, with subject of the holocaust or stories of struggle by Jewish people, sadly this film will not receive the attention it rightfully deserves and it is pity indeed, because movies of this quality are created once in a blue moon. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend this film and you don't have to be Polish to truly enjoy it. Well done Jan Komasa, well done indeed. Highly RECOMMENDED!