Nicole J. Adelman talks to Filip Remunda about his and Vít Klusák's film Once Upon a Time in Poland. An epic journey and discovery of two nations and two worlds where religion does or does not play a part. Another name for the film might be When God looked for Karel as it's also a coming-of-age and personal evolution story of one man exploring what religion, as a Czech, means for him. A must-watch and listen-to! The film was screened at Millenium Docs Against Gravity, One World IHRDFF, Ji.hlava IDF and other festivals.
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So close, yet so far. Although a bit exaggerated, this can be said about Poles and Czechs – neighbours and related nations. This powerful film builds on the contradictions of two worlds: Czech atheists vs. the exotic reality of a Catholic country. There is no shortage of amusing scenes. The filmmakers address passers-by, nuns, employees of the anti-Semitic Radio Maryja, a priest accused of sexual harassment, and an exorcist. Karel not only becomes an explorer who seeks to find the truth about Polish faith, but at another level also a pilgrim who, through the “path to film” wants to find faith himself. Last but not least, the documentary asks what has happened to Poland in recent years? Why is it as internally divided as Czechia? (One World IHRDFF)
