The mock-documentary is a largely played-out genre, all too often used as vehicle for cheap satire or puffed-up intrigue. In their intriguing, intractable debut feature “My Friend the Polish Girl,” however, directing duo — and in turn, to metaphorically reflect on immigrant exploitation in Brexit-era Britain. If that sounds like a lot to take on, it is: Announcing itself as a truth-seeking character study of lonely, London-based Polish actor Alicja (in fact played by Aneta Piotrowska), the film grabs at so many thematic strands — further including toxic female friendship, urban alienation and abusive sexual manipulation — that it can’t substantially sort through them all. Still, the attempt is audacious and stimulating.
From its cramped, off-the-cuff shooting style (mostly in washed-out monochrome) to its persuasive ensemble, “My Friend the Polish Girl” mostly pulls off the documentary pretense with wily skill. Still, even viewers coming to it cold may sense something amiss in...
From its cramped, off-the-cuff shooting style (mostly in washed-out monochrome) to its persuasive ensemble, “My Friend the Polish Girl” mostly pulls off the documentary pretense with wily skill. Still, even viewers coming to it cold may sense something amiss in...
- 11/29/2019
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
A faux video diary about a young woman living alone in London casts a compassionate light on migrant workers
Here is a low-budget experiment in metafiction, or quasi-fiction, with a shimmer of anxiety, shot mostly in black and white with periodic excursions into colour and animation – all about a young Polish woman living alone in a London flat, dealing with issues that are never clearly articulated. It often seems like nothing so much as a postmodern, 21st-century version of Polanski’s classic Repulsion.
The film itself appears to be a faux video diary by a (fictional) independent film-maker, recounting her experiences making a documentary about the life of a migrant worker in London. Emma Friedman-Cohen plays Katie, the director, and Aneta Piotrowska gives a bold and interesting performance as Alicja, the Polish woman and part-time actor Katie finds through an audition process. Alicja allows Katie into her life, at least partly through loneliness,...
Here is a low-budget experiment in metafiction, or quasi-fiction, with a shimmer of anxiety, shot mostly in black and white with periodic excursions into colour and animation – all about a young Polish woman living alone in a London flat, dealing with issues that are never clearly articulated. It often seems like nothing so much as a postmodern, 21st-century version of Polanski’s classic Repulsion.
The film itself appears to be a faux video diary by a (fictional) independent film-maker, recounting her experiences making a documentary about the life of a migrant worker in London. Emma Friedman-Cohen plays Katie, the director, and Aneta Piotrowska gives a bold and interesting performance as Alicja, the Polish woman and part-time actor Katie finds through an audition process. Alicja allows Katie into her life, at least partly through loneliness,...
- 7/18/2019
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Following its festival run, “My Friend the Polish Girl” will be released in British movie theaters next month and in the U.S. later this year. A first full trailer gives a glimpse of the film within a film, which is set in the aftermath of the U.K. voting to leave the European Union.
It follows a young American documentary maker, Katie (Emma Friedman-Cohen), who is making an experimental film about a young Polish actress, Alicja (Aneta Piotrowska), and the life of migrants in London after the 2016 Brexit referendum.
As more emerges about both subject and filmmaker, the two women challenge each other, and questions are asked about power and control over another person’s intimate moments.
The movie was a best feature nominee at the Edinburgh and Rotterdam film festivals last year. It was written and directed by U.K.-based Polish duo Ewa Banaszkiewicz and Mateusz Dymek...
It follows a young American documentary maker, Katie (Emma Friedman-Cohen), who is making an experimental film about a young Polish actress, Alicja (Aneta Piotrowska), and the life of migrants in London after the 2016 Brexit referendum.
As more emerges about both subject and filmmaker, the two women challenge each other, and questions are asked about power and control over another person’s intimate moments.
The movie was a best feature nominee at the Edinburgh and Rotterdam film festivals last year. It was written and directed by U.K.-based Polish duo Ewa Banaszkiewicz and Mateusz Dymek...
- 6/20/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
London, Aug 29 – The woman who once broke ‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl Cole’s new beau Derek Hough’s heart has finally been revealed.
Sultry dancer Aneta Piotrowska, who’s in the next series of ‘Strictly’, is the only woman Derek has ever loved apart from Cole.
Corky Ballas, who looked after the Us-born star for a decade, said: “Aneta is beautiful, sexy and stylish,” reports News of the World.
“Derek was really in love with her. She’d stay over at the house, and they travelled the world together.
But Aneta, who has posed for Playboy,.
Sultry dancer Aneta Piotrowska, who’s in the next series of ‘Strictly’, is the only woman Derek has ever loved apart from Cole.
Corky Ballas, who looked after the Us-born star for a decade, said: “Aneta is beautiful, sexy and stylish,” reports News of the World.
“Derek was really in love with her. She’d stay over at the house, and they travelled the world together.
But Aneta, who has posed for Playboy,.
- 8/29/2010
- by News
- RealBollywood.com
Four new dancers have joined to complete the new Strictly Come Dancing professional dance troupe, which will perform spectacular dance routines throughout series eight.
They are: Tanya Perera, who was a featured dancer in the West End production of Dirty Dancing; Shem Jacobs and Aneta Piotrowska, who have both performed in the Polish Dancing With The Stars; and Crystal Main, who has performed on Strictly Come Dancing in South Africa.
Crystal, Tanya, Aneta and Shem will join Darren Bennett and Ian Waite to make up the six-person group and together they will make their group debut performance in this year’s Strictly launch show, due to transmit on BBC One on 11 September.
Darren Bennett will dance with Crystal Main, Ian Waite will dance with Aneta Piotrowska and Shem Jacobs will dance with Tanya Perera.
As well as the troupe debut, the launch show will feature a red carpet event at BBC Television Centre,...
They are: Tanya Perera, who was a featured dancer in the West End production of Dirty Dancing; Shem Jacobs and Aneta Piotrowska, who have both performed in the Polish Dancing With The Stars; and Crystal Main, who has performed on Strictly Come Dancing in South Africa.
Crystal, Tanya, Aneta and Shem will join Darren Bennett and Ian Waite to make up the six-person group and together they will make their group debut performance in this year’s Strictly launch show, due to transmit on BBC One on 11 September.
Darren Bennett will dance with Crystal Main, Ian Waite will dance with Aneta Piotrowska and Shem Jacobs will dance with Tanya Perera.
As well as the troupe debut, the launch show will feature a red carpet event at BBC Television Centre,...
- 8/26/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Four new professional dancers have joined 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The upcoming series - which launches next month - will see West End star Tanya Perera, Shem Jacobs and Aneta Piotrowska, both from Poland's 'Dancing With The Stars' and Crystal Main from 'Strictly Come Dancing' in South Africa join the new-look BBC One show. The foursome will team up with the show's previous dancers Darren Bennett and Ian Waite to make up the six-member dance troupe which will perform extravagant routines for the audience throughout the series. Unlike previous episodes, their jobs will be solely to perform as a group and will be different to ..
- 8/26/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Four new dancers have joined Strictly Come Dancing as members of the new dancing troupe. A shakeup of the current professional lineup has seen several dancers exit the show. Among others, Matthew Cutler, Lilya Kopylova and Brian Fortuna had all been offered roles in the troupe - which will perform routines throughout the upcoming series - but instead decided to quit the programme. Joining the show are Tanya Perera, who has been involved in the West End production of Dirty Dancing, Shem Jacobs and Aneta Piotrowska, who have both performed in the Polish Dancing With The Stars and Crystal (more)...
- 8/26/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.