Pręgi

Poland

Synopsis

It is the mid-1980s. After his mother's death, twelve-year-old Wojtek (Wacek Adamczyk) is living with only his father — his mother died when the boy was still very young. His father (Jan Frycz) is a man of extremely strict principles. He would like to raise his son to be tough but is unable to show Wojtek any affection, and his child-rearing methods produce the opposite effects. Wojtek is beaten with a whip for the slightest offence. The smallest thing is enough for the father to employ his sadistic practices. What is more, he is deeply convinced that his child-rearing methods are correct. In his own way he loves his son and tries to care for him the best he can. But instead of evoking the boy's admiration, he evokes only fear. Wojtek cannot find any help from those around him: his parish priest is interested only in sins of the flesh, and his teachers in school are concerned only about maintaining discipline. The years go by, and now 30-year-old Wojcrech (Michal Zebrowski) is an ambitious and independent man, but one who keeps to himself. He spends his time exploring caves and writing texts for newspapers He is regarded by his peers, his mates from the base, as strong, uncompromising and cynical. Deep down, however, he is an extremely sensitive person who is constantly fleeing. He lives alone because that is easier and safer. He has no love and no family, and is tormented by the threat that he could repeat his father's errors and be to his children what his father had been to him. Will the girl Tania (Agnieszka Grochowska), whom he has met recently, help him overcome his past?
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Magdalena Piekorz

Written by: Wojciech Kuczok

Cinematography: Marcin Koszatka

Editing: Wojciech Mrówczynski

Production Design: Joanna Doroszkiewicz, Ewa Skoczkowska

Original Score: Adrian Konarski

Cast: Michal Zebrowski (Wojciech), Jan Frycz (father), Agnieszka Grochowska (Tania)

Nominations and Awards

  • Feature Film Selection 2005