Poland has recently submitted its choice for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards, in the form of The Peasants, the latest work from married directing duo DK and Hugh Welchman. But, it seems to come packaged with a dosage of controversy as well.
Based on a 1905 novel by Wladyslaw Reymont, The Peasants follows a woman in the 19th century, trying to find her own way in a Polish village. As Deadline reports, the choice was made on Monday, by a committee overseen by the Polish Film Institute. Competition included Green Border and Woman Of, which made the decision none too easy. Head of the committee, Ewa Puszczyńska, said that the choice came on the basis of four votes in favor, and two votes against.
A statement from the PFI directly, praising how the film pushed animation boundaries, had said, “In the committee’s opinion The Peasants shows the new dynamic in the world of animation, where the camera is not only an observer, but an active participant.”
While The Peasants came into a hefty amount of praise, it still leaves room for some people to doubt the reasoing. As mentioned, part of the competition included Green Border, a film following the plight of refugees stuck on the Polish-Belarusian border, from director Agnieszka Holland.
Holland’s film was screened in Venice, and won a special jury prize, and was also screened in Toronto. But, as Hollywood Reporter states, before the film could even premiere, it fell under fire by Poland’s justice minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, who criticized the film, comparing it to “Nazi propaganda,” in terms of how the Polish border guards are depicted. And, Polands interior minister, Błażej Poboży, said that before showings of Hollands film, government-produced videos, directly contradicting her depiction of events, would be shown.
When speaking about the matter to Hollywood Reporter, Holland said, “I know all the members of the [Oscar] committee, and they have told me they thought my film was the best choice and would have had the best chances [at the Oscars],” she said, “but they are afraid the government will punish them if they picked it, by restricting grants or funding for their movies.”
While Holland was also quick to praise The Peasants, she remains unsure if her own film will be able to launch an independent campaign.
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