After Cold War and Corpus Christi, Polish cinema’s renaissance continues with this intriguing and stunningly-shot drama about a mysterious masseur who infiltrates a gated community. In Competition, Venice.
When charismatic Ukrainian masseur Zenia (
Stranger Things’ Alec Utgoff) applies for residency in Poland, a stern government official says, “I feel quite strange around you.” What happens next sets the tone for a tantalising drama of appearances by Malgorzata Szumowska (
Mug, SFF 2018) and frequent collaborator Michal Englert. Everyone in a cluster of soulless McMansions on the city outskirts agrees that Zenia is a miracle worker with a magic touch for physical and mental rejuvenation. But is there more to the newcomer than meets the longing gaze of so many women behind those bland brick frontages? Middle-class ennui and repressed desire have rarely been manipulated with such skilful and slyly satirical hands; the film was deservedly Poland’s 2021 Oscars submission for Best International Feature.
After renting, the film will be available in your account to watch at any time during the Festival viewing window; from 12th November, 12 PM – 21st November, 11.59 PM.