My Nikifor

Colour, 35 mm
Poland, 2004, 100 min
IP – International premiere
Section: Official Selection - Competition
Oficiální stránky: www.nikifor.com.pl

Synopsis

Based on the life of Epifan Drowniak, famed naïve painter Nikifor Krynicki, who was discovered in 1960 by another painter, Marian Wlosiński. The latter was working on the décor of the spa buildings in Krynice where Nikifor offered his paintings to the spa guests. From there, Nikifor settled into Marian’s workspace. The academic painter started to look after him, fascinated as he was by the purity and grace of the primitive painter’s artistic manifestations. In his effort to understand the phenomenon of the physically and mentally disabled man, Marian gave up his own work and even his family life. Devotedly, not demanding any response or sign of gratitude, he secured a social foundation for Nikifor, and in 1967 organized an exhibition at a prestigious Warsaw gallery.... The film takes its style from Nikifor’s naïve manner of seeing, and the protagonist is played by 80-year-old Krystyna Feldman with perfect empathy.

About the director

Krzysztof Krauze (b. 1953, Warsaw). After studying camera at film school in Lodz (1978), he went on to direct for Semafor Studio (1978-83), Irzykowski Film Studios (1983-85) and the TOR creative group (1985-91). His short and medium-length work has often been awarded at festivals, and Krauze was made a member of the European Film Academy in 2001. His debut, New York — 4 A.M. (Nowy Jork — czwarta rano, 1988), took a Bronze Lion at the Polish FF in Gdynia. Then came Street Games (Gry uliczne, 1996); it picked up the Special Jury Prize at the same fest. His next film, Debt (Dług, 1999), which screened at Karlovy Vary, won the Golden Lion and the Critics’ Prize at the Polish FF in Gdynia, capturing Eagles for Best Screenplay and Director at the Polish Film Awards, and Best Director at the Philadelphia IFF. My Nikifor (Mój Nikifor, 2004) took four years to realize.