WOMAN OF…

KOBIETA Z...

Poland, Sweden

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WOMAN OF...
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Synopsis

Synopsis

Set against the landscape of the Polish transformation from communism to capitalism, WOMAN OF... spans 45 years of the life of Aniela Wesoły, who lives more than half of her adult life in a provincial Polish town as a man. Aniela's journey to find personal liberty as a trans woman reveals hardships in marriage and parenthood, strained family relations and complicated attitudes in her environment, which constantly place her in impossible situations. What choices will Aniela have to make? Will she be ready to sacrifice all to become who she truly is?

Set against the landscape of the Polish transformation from communism to capitalism, WOMAN OF... spans 45 years of the life of Aniela Wesoły, who lives more than half of her adult life in a provincial Polish town as a man. Aniela's journey to find personal liberty as a trans woman reveals hardships in marriage and parenthood, strained family relations and complicated attitudes in her environment, which constantly place her in impossible situations. What choices will Aniela have to make? Will she be ready to sacrifice all to become who she truly is?

Selections

  • Feature Film Selection

Cast & Crew

  • Directed by: Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert
  • Written by: Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert
  • Main producer: Michael Englert
  • Produced by: Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska, Bogna Szewczyk-Skupien, Katarzyna Jordan-Kulczyk, Gregory Jankilevitsch, Malgorzala Szumowska, Kristina Börjeson, Jonas Kellagher
  • Cinematography: Michal Englert
  • Editing: Jaroslaw Kaminski
  • Production Design: Marek Zawierucha
  • Costume Design: Anna Englert
  • Make-Up Artist: Waldemar Pokromski, Monika Kaleta
  • Original Score: Jimek
  • Sound: Marcin Jachyra, Kacper Habisiak, Marcin Kasinski
  • Casting: Magdalena Szwarcbart
  • Cast: Malgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik (Aniela WesoÅ‚y), Joanna Kulig (Iza), Mateusz Wieclawek (young Aniela WesoÅ‚y), Bogumila Bajor (Young Iza)

Director's Statement

WOMAN OF... is a truly important film for us, the result of many years of work, countless meetings with transgender people - people of all ages who have lived in Poland for decades, who have graciously trusted us to share their stories.
Aniela - who for almost a half of her life lived as a man in a provincial town, making her laborious journey to freedom - seemed symbolic to us, becoming a metaphor for the transition of Poland, reflecting a society that had once before come together in solidarity to bring down the communist regime. That society now stands for a polarisation of attitudes, unwilling to accept beliefs which have long become a social norm in other parts of the world.
The title of our film is a deliberate reference to our Master - Andrzej Wajda (Man of Iron, Man of Marble). At this time when cinema is being replaced by content, we felt the strong need to tell Aniela's unique story, asking questions and referencing classic traits of the genre in its form.
WOMAN OF... stars many people who are transgender, who play the roles of both trans and cis characters. The production team was comprised of many people from the LGBTQ+ community. We hope that our film will help people understand what it means to be trans and increase support for amendments in the law which will guarantee a life without threat.
Our film does not judge any of the attitudes presented. The most significant element is the humanistic tone within the poignant story of our main characters, respectfully followed by our camera.

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