POLYLAND gives a voice to three strong female characters from different minorities in Poland and explores the nuances of how it feels to be black, Muslim or LGBTQ+ in the most homogenous country in an ever more right -leaning Europe. POLYLAND's three women were all born in Poland and currently are citizens of Wroclaw, the biggest city in Western Poland. Ania, Miriam and Elmelda seek to be seen, not as “the other”, but as a part of Polish society.
Their efforts involve creating self-help groups, organizing protests and appearances on local TV and… Everything appears to be going towards the right direction; the women believe that a liberal society is within reach until the dramatic shift in Polish politics in 2015 shatters their hopes and confidence.
Their wish for belonging reflects many other stories across the world and seems increasingly difficult to achieve in the current political climate of Brexit, Donald Trump and the upsurge of right-wing movement across Europe.
Dáša Raimanová, originally from Slovakia, is a London based freelance filmmaker. She graduated with BA in Film, Video and Interactive Arts at Middlesex University. Her work explores socio-political topics, generally focussing on the stories of strong women. Polyland is Dasa’s feature debut and together with asocial campaign, its aim is to contribute to social change in Poland. Polyland premiered at the LGBT Film festival in Poland.Her short documentary ‘Resistance Recipes’, about food and farming highlighting the everyday struggles of Palestinians in the West Bank has been selected for the London, Bristol and Toronto Palestine Film Festivals. Apart from her own work, Dasa freelance as camera op and an editor for arts organizations, universities, and charities, as well as works as a camera assistant for BBC or Channel 4.
http://www.dasaraimanova.com/
- DIRECTOR: Dáša Raimanová
- STARRING: Anna Smarzyńska, Miriam Masalmeh, Elmelda Mashingo
- POLAND, UK
- 2017
- 71 MINS
- RATING – 15
Doors 7:00PM
Film 7:30PM
Dáša Raimanová
“What is it like to be black, Muslim or LGBTQ in the Polish city, Wroclaw?”