The Jury of the 2019 NYPFF has chosen “A Cat with a Dog (Jak Pies z Kotem),” directed by Janusz Kondratiuk, as the recipient of this year’s Krzysztof KIEŚLOWSKI Beyond Borders Award. The film merits the special Beyond Borders Award as it embodies the deeply humanistic commitment so characteristic of Kieślowski’s work. The film addresses universal subjects and questions and helps bring understanding to core values of life in a unique way. It successfully incorporates fantasy elements into a realistic framework, with a stellar cast of characters dealing with the difficult reality of a close one’s declining health and approaching death.
The recipients of this year’s Elzbieta Czyzewska Award are Anna Radwan and Olgierd Lukaszewicz. Anna Radwan won for her captivating performance in “The Butler” and Olgierd Lukaszewicz won for his realistic portrayal of facing fear at the end of life in “A Cat with a Dog.”
The Special Jury Award goes to “The Butler” for it’s beautifully realized historical drama, with stunning cinematography, set design, costumes, and performances by actors who were brilliantly coaxed into showing both bravery and restraint in facing impossible situations.
