Cold War

Impeccable luminous black and white photography by Łukasz Żal marks the latest Polish entry for the 91st Academy Awards. Cold War comes three years after writer-director Pawel Pawlikowski won the Best Foreign Film Academy Award in 2015 for Ida (2013).

Inspired by the story of Pawlikowski's parents, Cold War is about the impossible romance of lovers destined not to be together, the pianist Wiktor (Tomasz Kot), and his pupil, singer Zula (Joanna Kulig), during the cold war between Poland and France, spanning the years 1949 to 1964.

Music is a key element in setting the feature's mood, articulating the feelings that carries Wiktor and Zula through their tempestuous relationship across Poland, Berlin, Yugoslavia and Paris. Included are traditional folkloric choral songs, against melancholic jazz or rock and roll.

Cold War is steared by riveting renditions by Kulig and Kot, a stunning soundtrack, exceptional attention to period details, and is beautiful to watch.