Woman Of...

Woman Of...
Polish theatrical release poster
PolishKobieta z...
Directed by
Written by
  • Michał Englert
  • Małgorzata Szumowska
Produced by
  • Gregory Jakilevitsch
  • Katarzyna Jordan-Kulczyk
  • Małgorzata Szumowska
  • Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska
  • Bogna Szewczyk-Skupień
  • Michał Englert
Starring
  • Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik
  • Joanna Kulig
  • Mateusz Więcławek
  • Bogumiła Bajor
CinematographyMichał Englert[1]
Edited byJarosław Kamiński[1]
Music byJimek[1]
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Next Film (Poland)
  • Lucky Dogs (Sweden)
Release dates
  • 8 September 2023 (2023-09-08) (Venice)
  • 5 April 2024 (2024-04-05) (Poland)
  • 4 October 2024 (2024-10-04) (Sweden)
Running time
132 minutes[1]
Countries
  • Poland
  • Sweden
LanguagePolish

Woman Of... (Polish: Kobieta z...) is a 2023 drama film written and directed by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert. A coproduction between Poland and Sweden, it stars Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, Joanna Kulig, Mateusz Więcławek and Bogumiła Bajor.

The film premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on 8 September 2023, where it competed for the Golden Lion. It was theatrically released in Poland on 5 April 2024.

Premise

Spanning 45 years, the film focuses on Aniela, a husband and father in a small town in Poland, who starts to experience gender dysphoria.[2][3][4]

Cast

Production

The film was produced by No-Mad Films—a collaboration between Madants and Nowhere—and Plio Ltd., in co-production with Sweden's Film i Väst and Common Ground Pictures.[6]

Speaking of the film, Szumowska and Englert said: "Kobieta z... is a really important film for us, the result of many years of work, countless meetings with transgender people – people of all ages who have lived in Poland for decades." They added: "We hope that our film will help others understand what it means to be transgender, while giving courage to hundreds of young people who identify as trans but are afraid to share it with others. Above all, we hope that it will increase support for changes in the law that will guarantee life without danger."[2]

Release

Woman Of... had its worldwide premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on 8 September 2023, where it competed for the Golden Lion.[1][7] It also screened at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the 'World Cinema' section on 6 October 2023.[8]

World sales are handled by Memento International.[6] The film was theatrically released in Poland by Next Film on 5 April 2024.[5] Lucky Dogs is set to distribute the film in Sweden on 4 October 2024, under the title Jag är kvinna.[9]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10.[10]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Venice Film Festival 9 September 2023 Golden Lion Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert Nominated [11]
Queer Lion Nominated [12]
Göteborg Film Festival 4 February 2024 International Competition Nominated [13]
Guadalajara International Film Festival 15 June 2024 Maguey Award Nominated [14]
Munich Film Festival 7 July 2024 Cinemasters Competition Nominated [15]
Gdynia Film Festival 28 September 2024 Main Competition Bogna Szewczyk, Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert, Klaudia Śmieja Nominated [16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Kobieta Z... (Woman of)". La Biennale di Venezia. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Kobieta z... Małgorzaty Szumowskiej i Michała Englerta w Konkursie Głównym festiwalu filmowego w Wenecji". Vogue Polska (in Polish). 25 July 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  3. ^ Bałaga, Marta (15 February 2023). "Poland's Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert to Co-direct Drama 'Let Me Out' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  4. ^ "'Woman Of...' Review: Malgorzata Szumowska's Affecting Character Study Rescues Polish Trans People From the Invisible Margins". The Hollywood Reporter. 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e "KOBIETA Z..." (in Polish). Next Film. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b Keslassy, Elsa (25 August 2023). "Memento Intl., Anonymous Content Board Venice Trans Drama 'Woman Of...'; Teaser Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  7. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (25 July 2023). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: Mann, Lanthimos, Fincher, DuVernay, Cooper, Besson, Coppola, Hamaguchi In Competition; Polanski, Allen, Anderson, Linklater Out Of Competition – Full List". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  8. ^ "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  9. ^ "JAG ÄR KVINNA" (in Swedish). Lucky Dogs. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Woman Of". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Venezia 80 Competition". La Biennale di Venezia. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  12. ^ "17. Queer Lion Award to "Domakinstvo za pocetnici" (Housekeeping for Beginners) by Goran Stolevski". Queer Lion. 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  13. ^ Ntim, Zac (9 January 2024). "Göteborg Film Festival Unveils Competition Titles Including Daniel Espinosa's 'Madame Luna' & Honorary Dragon Award For 'Borgen' Actress Sidse Babett Knudsen". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  14. ^ "FICG39 anuncia las películas seleccionadas para la competencia oficial del Premio Maguey" (in Spanish). Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara. 30 May 2024. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Cinemasters Competition". Filmfest München. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  16. ^ "49th Polish Film Festival Competition Films". Festiwal Polskich Filmów Fabularnych. 12 July 2024. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.