Film to mark wall anniversary

On the November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall was torn down.

To mark this, on Thursday, November 7 Perth Film Society is screening award-winning ‘Cold War’ in the Norie-Miller Studio of Perth Concert Hall.

Cold War (2018) is a historical epic and passionate love story directed by Paweł Pawlikowski, who also made the film ‘Ida’.

Set in the depths of the Cold War and spanning 15 turbulent years, the story takes us from the Polish countryside to the streets of East Berlin, and from Paris to Yugoslavia, across boundaries that are musical, geographical, and political.

The result is a sweeping PolishBritish-French drama that is in the mold of films like ‘Casablanca’ and ‘Brief Encounter,’ about deep, obsessive and potentially destructive love.

Sumptuously shot in luminous black and white, the film tells an impossible love story set in impossible times, with a glorious soundtrack that takes you from Polish folk music to the sultry jazz of a Paris basement bar.

The film opens in 1949, in rural postwar Poland. Musical director Wiktor (Tomasz Kot) and Irena (Agata Kulesza) are auditioning musicians and dancers for a state-sponsored folk music ensemble to showcase the authentic sounds of Poland.

Into these auditions comes Zula (Joanna Kulig), an ambitious, captivating, and head-strong young woman. Wiktor is blown away by her performance.

Under pressure from bureaucrats to use playlists that support the Communist and Stalinist propaganda machine, and even to become spies, Wiktor and Zula dream of escaping to the creative freedom of the West.

When the troupe travels to Berlin, they spot their chance to run for Paris, forcing both to make a snap decision.

There will be extra refreshments for ticket holders at this PFS event.

Tickets £6 or £5 concessions can be bought from Horsecross.