Polish Prayers

  • In theatres9. November 2023
  • Production year2022
  • CountrySwitzerland, Poland
  • Length84
  • LanguageOV PL de-fr / it-de
  • ProductionFirst Hand Films
  • DirectorHanka Nobis
  • Cast
  • Age restriction16
  • Festivals
    Zurich Film Award, Best Director
    International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam
    Solothurner Filmtage Opera Prima
    Locarno Film Festival Panorama Suisse
    DocsBarcelona International Documentary Film Festival
    Docs Against Gravity Film Festival, Warsaw
    Crossing Europe Film Festival, Linz
    GoEast, Wiesbaden
    Pink Apple Filmfestival, Zürich
    CPH:DOX International Documentary Film Festival, Copenhagen
    Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
    One World - Human Rights Film Festival, Prague
    DocPoint, Tallinn
    International Queer Film Festival, Lisbon
    Human Rights Film Festival, Berlin
    We Do Festival, Norway
    Dokufest, Kosovo
    UMFF, South Korea
    Documentary Film Festival, New York
    Festival des Libertés, Brussels

Home Cinema

Story

Hanka Nobis receives the Zurich Film Award for Best Director (30.10.2023). Excerpt from the jury statement: The debut film impressively shows, through the development of its young protagonist, that years of polarisation of the political landscape in Poland have led to a division in society. Thus the film becomes not only a sensitive mirror of a young generation, but also a portrait of an entire nation. With exceptional access, an empathetic camera, fluid editing and a musical concept that springs directly from within the youth movements, the filmmaker creates an uncompromising work that raises many questions and opens up a debate that needs to be conducted not only in Poland. Zurich Film Award

One of the most touching and hopeful documentaries in a long time! – ARTTV https://arttv.ch/film/polish-prayers/

A riveting debut – as illuminating as it is shocking. – FILMUFORIA

A powerful and uncompromising work – and a touching debut, intense and profound without being judgmental. – CINEUROPA

As a traditional Catholic in Poland, 22-year-old Antek holds deeply conservative views. But when he falls in love for the first time, he begins to have doubts – first about the prohibition of premarital sex and finally about the existence of God.

The 22-year-old Antek is destined to become the religious leader of the ultra-conservative Polish Brotherhood. The Brotherhood organises counter-demonstrations to LGBTQI+ events and meets for masculinity rituals in the forest. But when Antek is about to be promoted, he begins to question the moral principles he has spent years fighting for.

Over the course of four years, filmmaker Hanka Nobis accompanies the charismatic and sensitive young man, who identifies less and less with traditional values. In exchange with a constantly changing circle of friends, Antek develops his own opinion on what it means to be a good person.

Promotional partners

CEFAMFamilies arc en cielPinkcrossKath.ch

Official WebsiteAll Films

Special Screenings

26.11.23
Massagno, Lux arthouse
Spezialvorstellung in Kooperation mit Imbarco Immediate Bellinzona
07.11.23 | 18:20
Luzern, Bourbaki
Premiere with subsequent Q&A, in the presence of Hanka Nobis (director)
06.11.23 | 20:40
Zürich, RiffRaff
Premiere with subsequent Q&A, in the presence of Hanka Nobis (director)
17.09.23 | 15:30
Brugg, Odeon
Festival Screening
Brugger Dokumentarfilmtage
16.09.23 | 11:00
Brugg, Odeon
Festival Screening
Brugger Dokumentarfilmtage
07.08.23 | 11:00
Screening at the Panorama Suisse
24.01.23 | 14:45
Solothurn, Kino Palace
Screening at the Solothurner Filmtage
22.01.23 | 17:45
Solothurn, Landhaus
National Premiere at the Solothurner Filmtage, in attendance of Hanna Nobis (Director)

 

Shows

07.12.2023
Winterthur, Cameo
30.11.2023
Massagno, Lux arthouse
16.11.2023
Ascona, Otello
16.11.2023
15.11.2023
Lausanne, Zinéma
08.11.2023
Oron-La-Ville, Cinéma d'Oron
08.11.2023
Neuchâtel, Cinéma Minimum
08.11.2023
Genève, Grütli
08.11.2023
Fribourg, Cinemotion Rex
09.11.2023
09.11.2023
Zürich, RiffRaff
09.11.2023
Basel, Kultkino
09.11.2023
St. Gallen, Kinok
09.11.2023
Luzern, Bourbaki
09.11.2023
Frauenfeld, Cinema Luna
09.11.2023