Cold War

Paweł Pawlikowski co-wrote and directed Cold War with his parents in mind. Their stormy, whirlwind romance inspired the film, which follows two lovers over the course of 15 years.

Set in postwar Poland, the story begins as director and composer Wiktor, manager Kaczmarek and choreographer Irena hold auditions for a state-sponsored folk music ensemble. Wiktor’s attention is immediately drawn to Zula, an ambitious and magnetic young woman who is faking a peasant identity and is on probation after attacking her abusive father. The two become entangled, and so begins a long romance marked by extended periods of separation. When they are apart, each living a different life, something seems to be missing. When they reunite, it is as though they are simply picking up where they left off. You know, that sort of thing.

Music plays a central role throughout. The film begins with Wiktor and Irena travelling to record folk songs and invite people to audition. Later, Wiktor takes up with a jazz quintet in Paris and scores films on the side, while Zula remains with the folk ensemble. During one of the periods when they come back together, Zula records an album. It is all very beautiful.

At times, Cold War lacks a certain depth, but Pawlikowski and his DP, Łukasz Żal, more than compensate with the visuals. Shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, nearly every scene arrives looking like it could stand alone as a beautiful still photograph. I usually limit myself to three stills in entries like this, but I could not help dropping 14 this time.