Cold War (2018) – Review

Poland, the 1950s. Wiktor (Tomasz Kot), together with a number of colleagues, travels through the country to ensure that traditional music is not lost and does so by recording it. They start an organization to perform this music and Wiktor meets the rebellious Zula (Joanna Kulig). The two are getting closer and closer, but as the success of this folklore group increases, the regime also sees it as a perfect way to promote itself, something Wiktor is not enthusiastic about. He devises a plan to escape with Zula to the west so that they can be together and do what they want, but whether that is realistic, is the question.

With its 4:3 aspect ratio, black-and-white images and detailed sets (with cars from the period), you start to doubt whether this film was actually made in 2018. If someone told you that this is already an old movie from the fifties, you would immediately believe that and that is impressive. But of course that is not enough to make a film good, that requires more. The protagonists sell this love story in a convincing way. Although not always everything is right between the two, there is a strong attraction, so they keep looking for each other. There are times when they meet again after a long time, reminiscent of the Before trilogy, the desire is there, the profound conversations but also the frustration, all against the background of the cold war and bureaucracy. With Cold War, director Pawel Pawlikowski shows, after Ida, that he is able to tell stories that touch the viewer in an impressive way. In addition, adds a musical layer that runs through the film. This a impressive, beautiful film.

[score8]