The Polish-British-French production production "Cold War" ("Zimna Wojna"), directed by Pawel Pawlikowski was elected Film of the Year for 2018 by the Association Luxembourgeoise de la Presse Cinématographique (ALPC), Luxembourg's Film Critics Association, in its 5th annual meeting held on Friday 18 January 2019.
The winning film was chosen from among the 290 films officially released last year in at least one of the cinemas of the Grand Duchy.
In the third round of voting, Pawel Pawlikowski's Polish-British-French production Cold War (Zimna Wojna) was voted film of the year. The film plunges the viewer back into the cold war between Poland from the Stalinist era and Bohemian Paris. Wiktor (Tomasz Kot) is a musician, Zula (Joanna Kulig) singer. They are in love and love freedom. But when they go to the "west", they are separated. One on each side of the wall. Their love becomes impossible. Unless one of them decides to sacrifice themselves …
The members of the ALPC particularly appreciated the cinematographic quality of "Cold War" ("Zimna Wojna"); the meaning of Pawel Pawlikowski's synthesis, capable of summarising twenty minutes of film in a single shot; the quality of the photography and its expressive black and white, the excellent performances of the actors as well as the end which represents a very beautiful symbol.
Already winner of the Cannes Director's Award and five European Film Awards (Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress for Joanna Kulig, Best Screenplay and Best Editing), "Cold War" ("Zimna Wojna") has been favoured by members of the association with "The Shape of Water" by Guillermo del Toro in 2nd place and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" by Martin McDonagh in 3rd place. The other finalist films were "Girl" by Lukas Dhont and "Capharnaum" by Nadine Labaki.
Released on 31 October, Cold War (Zimna Wojna) can still b viewed in Luxembourg at the following cinemas: Starlight, Orion, Scala, Kulturhuef and Sura.
Last year, the ALPC had chosen Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk". The previous "ALPC Film of the Year" awards went to Tom McCarthy's "Spotlight", "Birdman" by Alejandro González Iñárritu and "Mommy" by Xavier Dolan.
