Love In The Face Of Communism

Cold War 

It’s been far too long since I sat down and wrote anything about films. Knowing how cathartic writing is for me, I came back! In the light of recent events, the protests and the true meaning behind them, I have decided that it is finally time that I take pride in my heritage, I have finally decided to truly own my identity, and what better way to do it than doing it through something I love- films. Accepting my nationality didn’t always come easy to me, but today I am proud of the Polish side in me. I am immensely proud of the achievements of Nobel Prize winning Polish writers, Academy Award winning directors, exceptional filmmakers, musicians and scientists. Because of the anti-racist movement, after years of facing prejudice and judgment, there is no ounce of shame in me to come from a different country, a vibrant country full of diversity, culture, historic architecture and not to forget, the delightful food!

I have decided to dedicate more time to watching Polish films, and by that learning more about the place that I come from. Among the prestigious group of exceptional directors, we find Paweł Pawlikowski, a 2019 Academy Award winner for his film, Cold War- a poignant portrayal of love in a post war communist state. I remember how tremendously proud I felt when Pawlikowski, won this award, and while the Academy Awards are in some ways viewed as problematic and controversial, nevertheless it was a first win for Poland and something worthy of celebration. In addition, knowing that this particular film was an ode to his parents, made it extra special.

Set in the 50s in a communist regime, two people find love in the bleakness of day and through the passion for music. With elegant and exquisite imagery and symbolism, the film reads like a picture book; old worn out photos of a time long forgotten by the world.

From the first shot, it is clear to see the harshness and the pain of the post war reality. There is no room for freethinkers and nonconformists, no place for people yearning for freedom, or independence; obedience is the fuse that powers the government. Defiance is met with dreadful consequences. The existential fear creeping in while the government spreads its propaganda; the main tool used in oppression, feeding society with a utopic ideology, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In contrast of the Stalin backdrop, the iron curtain, we meet Wiktor and Zula. A musical director, looking for new talent to join the state sponsored folk sing and dance group, Mazurek, and a pretty blonde full of wit and character, conning her way into the auditions. The film follows their bittersweet romance, their coupling and uncoupling, which plays out in the space of 15 years.  The star crossed lovers differ in many aspects, making their romance almost impossible, representing the societal situation of the people; the impossible escape from the regime. Taking the opportunity to escape the oppression and exploitation, Wiktor, moves to Paris and reinvents himself as a Jazz pianist, while Zula bails on the hopeful escape plan, only to reunite with her lover in Paris, years later while enjoying her stardom in Poland. One of the reoccurring themes throughout the film is the binary opposition. The divergence between the characters; Wiktor is contend and reserved, while Zula is impulsive and unpredictable , the powerful contrast of two worlds, one communist state and one full of freedom and opportunity, obedience vs. defiance, highlighted further by the monochrome tone. 

The stylistic choices of Pawlikowski, provoke such an intense response within the audience. The haunting nature of the regime is reflected through the black and white imagery, the lack of colours adds to the hopelessness of the people, intertwined with the atmospheric and soul piercing melodies, the folklore costumes, the straight cut dominion; the lack of colour representing the depression of humanity. Polish folklore is rich in colour, patterns and symbols, and by taking away the colours, the film highlights the strict regime depriving people of the beauty of everyday life- the vibrancy and freedom of expression. Yet, still, even in black and white, the folkloric aspects that grace our screen are breathtakingly beautiful. The film asks us, the audience, whether love can truly conquer all. The ending of the film further reinforces the idea of the ‘impossible’ the unfathomable love, the love that had no place to exist, but a love so strong and powerful, nevertheless torn and withered, and it is love that wins in the end. Wiktor and Zula, couldn’t find their happiness in the clouded reality, but love conquered all, even in all its tragedy, in the tragedy of death, in their suicide vows, it was love that won in its fatal and deadly way.

Cold War, resonates with me so powerfully due to the theme of national identity; finding the meaning of being Polish, finding one's place in a world that doesn’t cater for all. Presenting us with a bittersweet love story- a love story set in a rather unorthodox environment, as it is certainly not your conventional Hollywood romance, the film questions  the importance of patriotism and sacrifice, the value of love and the quest of finding oneself. Having ran away from Poland, Wiktor and Zula, reconcile the passionate, yet, rather dysfunctional romance in Paris. They seem to be living the dream; however, through the highs and the lows, a satisfactory climax is never met. This heavily reflects the emotional state of the characters and the struggle of dealing with their national identity. Wiktor, is told he isn’t Polish anymore, having ran away, he dishonoured Poland, and the government. The theme of national identity plays strongly with the idea of sacrifice, whether it is for one's country, identity, or simply for love. Zula, is faced with a hard to miss opportunity to become a singer in France, happiness is finally tangible, yet, both Wiktor, and more so, Zula, struggle in accepting their realities.

 One of the most evoking and powerful scenes in the film, takes place in a café in Paris, where Zula, sings a sad love song while the melancholic melodies play, the camera slowly paces around, lingering on the sorrow and sadness of the music. Zula’s smooth, yet heartbroken voice, lingers in the air like cigarette smoke. Longing for her home, finding solace in music, Zula, struggles to fit in. She is misplaced and vulnerable; something that her strong persona finds difficult. Singing in French has no magic, as the words, no matter how well translated from her Polish lyrics, hold little meaning for Zula. In result, she gives up her chance of true freedom, the relationship which was doomed from the start once again ceases to exist. Her heart is being pulled in all directions, between her true love, the longing for freedom and the yearning for her homeland. Additionally, in many aspects, I found it rather ironic that, Zula, is an embodiment of a Jean-Luc Goddard’s leading lady, a French madmazel, she fits so well in the backdrop of French music and culture, yet, still, her longing overpowered all the chances she had at a new life. Furthermore, the choices of the protagonists, highlight the deeply rooted conditioning of the communist state and the conditioned fear of its people;  fearing anything outside the harsh realities, always coming back to what they know best, even if its dark, emotionless and dripping in sadness. The instability of Zula, her mental state, and even just her personality, also represents the unstable structure of the communist state.

This particular theme of missing one’s home country pulls a string in my heart. Moving as a child to a new country, struggling with my own identity, spending years trying to fit in and having to face reality with a certain longing, accompanied by a sense of nostalgia for my childhood that can never be erased. After years of making a new country my home, it didn’t get easier missing my homeland. My little city holds a special place in my heart, always. Today, I can say I have two homes, in many ways that’s empowering, but in many ways it brings more sorrow, as no matter where you are, one country or the other, the dreaded feeling of longing comes creeping in. Even as I sit here now and I write this, a tear rolls down my face, picturing my little home town where I ran around as a little girl, never imagining that 15 years later I would be living in a different country, surrounded by a different culture. However, isn’t it beautiful to be surrounded by so many different cultures, having this amazing opportunity to learn and explore different worlds, even if there is that one special place on earth, where if you had a chance, you would pack your bags and run there without hesitation, without any doubts, just to be present not just in thought, but in reality. 

Cold War, is visually and aesthetically stunning. The melodies that echo in the background, add to the atmospheric touch. While the film is heavy at times, portraying the brutal realties of a communist regime, it gives hope. In the bleakest way, the film still left me feeling hopeful and appreciative of the wonders of art, music, love and poetry. Moreover, it left me feeling at peace with my own national identity, finally. The importance of art, especially in the form of music, is so heavily integrated in the films message. The film portrays that music has the power to bring people together, people of different backgrounds, of different worlds; it is music that connects us. I have always possessed such a strong respect for all forms of art, music in particular, and this film further reinforced my love and appreciation for all the beautiful things that this world has to offer. Perhaps Wiktor and Zula, were doomed from the start, even if there was every reason for them not to be together, through music, they always found a way back to each other. I am so in awe of the poignant boldness of the films, the rich symbolism, contrasted with the film’s intelligent simplicity. Perhaps this isn’t the love story that leaves you feeling blissful, but love doesn’t always have a happy ending, which in the end, makes it more precious when found.

Written by Anna Gaszkowska

I Won’t Be A Rock Star, I Will Be A Legend!

Bohemian Rhapsody

After a long break from writing, I am finally back! If there was anything that would reignite my love for film, it couldn’t be anything other than Bohemian Rhapsody! There are many things in life that I simply cannot get over - the tragic death of James Dean, Jim Morrison, John Lennon and, of course, the passing of Freddie Mercury. I often find myself wondering how different our lives could have been if these people were still alive, if only we were able to enjoy their talents much longer. Growing up, I was very lucky to have been surrounded by great music, rock legends, countless vinyl, CD’s and even cassette tapes. Music certainly is a passion me and my dad share and something that I will always be grateful for. It was my dad who introduced me to a whole new world, something of a great importance. I wasn’t always a fan. I would have to be a liar to say that I have always been an outsider listening to rock ballads while my friends listened to mainstream pop songs. Yet still, even when I couldn’t fully grasp the concept of good music, the magnetic energy of the likes of Mercury, Bowie and Jagger just overpowered me; I couldn’t fully comprehend the idea of the art of music having such an impact on me.  Being of such a curious nature, even as a child, I loved reading about these remarkably famous and successful people; these people forever inspired me. I can’t recall the first time seeing any live material of Queen - it must have been a typical Saturday night where my dad and I would watch concerts on TV. What I do remember, however, is how fixated I was looking at this immensely talented  and captivating human, moving, singing, engaging with the crowd; a human with super powers. What I also remember is thinking to myself, how can someone be like this? And by ‘this’ I mean so self aware, dominating, oozing in confidence and so liberated. It was extraordinary and unattainable for most people to not only be watched by thousands, but to be in full control.  The boldness and confidence was contagious and inspiring, and if you were to ask me then  (or even now) what I wanted to be in life, I would proudly point at Freddie, and say that this is how happy and in love I want to be doing my job.  

There hasn’t been a film this year, which I was just as eager to see like Bohemian Rhapsody. I couldn’t wait to see the trailer, and once it was released, I watched it over and over again! I was in awe and utter shock at just how much of a resemblance there is between Rami Malek and Freddie Mercury; it’s uncanny. Of course, the inevitable fear crept in, and I began to wonder if the film will actually live up to the hype that the trailers were able to create. One thing that stood out for me in the trailers was the immense talent, passion and hard work of Malek. Boy, you could see that this guy dreamt about this role! A good film not only consists of a good plot, vivid visuals, but also music. As Lynch once said, films are 50% visuals and 50% sounds; often sound overpowering the visuals. Therefore, the film was off to a good start because you can’t go wrong with a Queen soundtrack. The trailers built up an appetite in me and many more Queen fans, for sure! You can imagine the heartbreak I felt upon seeing the reviews one day prior to seeing the film. I don’t tend to listen to reviews; I mean it sounds pretty ironic that as a film reviewer I shy away from reading about films. However, let me explain that as someone who is passionate about films and dreams about pursuing a career in film reviewing, I feel obligated to have an open mind, to engage in discussions, share opinions and give constructive critics, yet, for some, film reviewing is a way of forcing opinions down on the public, often very snobbish opinions and that honey, will not do! Let’s face it, nothing could stop me from seeing this film. 

So, let’s begin! I must star with the obvious, which is the cast. Starring Rami Malek, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Gwilym Lee along with Lucy Boyton and Aidan Gillen (who will always be Little Finger in my mind, sorry) the audience are certainly in for a treat. As a big fan of the 70s and 80s fashion, I was happily surprised to see just how spot on the costumes were. You would think that only Freddie Mercury could pull them off, right? Wrong. Here comes Rami Malek, striding in, head held high, and darling, he is fabulous!  Not only does Malek resemble Freddie visually, his passion and love for the art definitely levels with Freddie’s. The performance of Malek, is not only outstanding and powerful due to the fact that he resembles Mercury, but because his performance is not a mere copy of the legend, it’s an original and convincing take on this enigmatic character. While the role required Malek to morph into Mercury and mirror his behaviour and quirks, it is clear to see that Malek played the rock legend the way he saw him from a personal level. There was no need to follow a distinct choreography in order to portray Mercury, all that was required was the freedom to become the legend, to improvise and not do what Freddie DID, but play him from the perspective of someone who adored him as a fan. Freddie Mercury might have been a very distinctive and original man, however, he was also very protective of his personal life, he built a barrier around himself and didn’t let people in. Therefore, in order to accurately portray him and depict his life, an actor must have a tremendous imagination.  Also, it is only fair to praise Gwilym Lee and his take on Brian May... I mean, for a moment I could not tell whether it was actual Brian May, or whether it was all just an illusion! The whole cast was chosen exceptionally well. Queen was a family as Freddie would often highlight, and the cast was able to translate that onto the screen as they had superb chemistry, which can clearly be seen in their interviews; these guys really understood each other’s visions. One thing which I must also add, is that the film deserves admiration and recognition due to the fact that it did not attempt to whitewash Freddie Mercury, instead the film enables the audience to see just how much of a hard time Freddie had not being a typical, English white man. Casting Rami Malek was not only a good choice due to his artistic abilities, but also because he is a man of a foreign descent and that further honours Freddie Mercury for who he truly was , instead of trying to make him into someone he was not. The sorrow not only comes from Freddie’s illness and death, but also from all the racism that he had to endure, something that I personally can relate to as someone who came to this country as a little girl. Today, Freddie will always be remembered as a British icon of rock, nevertheless, the unfair treatment and prejudice that he faced should not be forgotten. What comes to mind is the famous saying regarding Andy Murray, he’s British when wins, but Scottish when he loses.

 I just cannot praise Malek enough for his hard work, and I can’t imagine a better person chosen for such a challenging and demanding, but also very rewarding role. Watching interviews of Malek before the premier of Bohemian Rhapsody, it is clear to see that not only has Malek contributed to the legacy of Freddie Mercury, but playing the role has enabled this reserved man to become more confident in himself. I came to know Malek as an actor, probably during the Night at the Museum era where he played Ahkmenrah, and what stood out for me were his unique and enigmatic characteristics, the unconventional and exotic handsomeness, but most importantly, his contagious energy as an artist. One of Malek’s most defining features, that as an audience we get to see through his work, is the way he puts his whole heart and soul into his characters and that translates beautifully onto the screen. As previously mentioned, the role of playing the legendary man that is Freddie Mercury, is rather challenging, what made Freddie such a great performer and such a likable man was the way he performed WITH the crowd and not for the crowd. The persona of Freddie Mercury, or at least the one he tried to maintain, was a fabulous, lavish, flamboyant, yet still, a very masculine one, however, never has he approached his career, or most importantly the fans, from a superior position;  another thing which both Malek and Freddie have in common, humbleness. Rami Malek wanted to do Freddie proud, there’s no doubt about that, and I can assure you, he certainly did! What Malek achieved was not only of great importance artistically, but also culturally as through his magnificent performance, he enabled the new generation to get to know the legend that Mercury was, is and always will be. As many are aware, Sacha Baron Cohen was also considered for the role, however, I doubt that anyone would have been able to translate the soul of Freddie, the real Freddie, just like accomplished by Malek. What comes into question is the fact that while Sacha is an extraordinary performer, a very talented actor and many may not realise, a very intelligent man, his vision of the film differed from the director’s intentions. As shown in the film, many tried to exploit Freddie, use him, his kindness and sadly also his loneliness, for their own gain and benefit, therefore I don’t think the audience would have been happy with the entire narrative of the film solely relying on the wild aspects of the rock star’s life. 

The reviews read along the lines of ‘’certainly not Queen’s greatest hit’’ ... but aren’t greatest hits a collection of pivotal, important and best songs, therefore if we accept this definition of such a casually used phrase, then that’s exactly what the film offers to it audience; a collection of essential and crucial moments of the band and its members. Furthermore, this makes me wonder about the expectations of the audience; what did we, as fans, as cinephiles, or simply as cinema goers expect to see, or learn. Surely, no one goes to the cinema for a history lesson. So, how much of the film is an accurate recreation of real life events? Well, there has been a broad discussion, with some claiming that the film carries some inaccuracies, but the question to ask here is whether the film’s intention was to simply educate the viewer, or to entertain, and through that honour an immortal legend, to keep him alive in a new generation, and I think that the latter has far greater value than anything other.  The band was formed in 1970, Freddie Mercury died on November 24^th, 1991, the famous Live Aid concert happened on July 13^th, 1985. So just by looking at these 3 significant dates, we can see the greater scope of things and begin to question just how much a 2 hour film will be able to convey. The bigger question is however, just how much as an audience do we want to see, what aspects interest us the most. Is it the beginnings of the band, their friendships, first tour, or perhaps do we want to see more of Freddie as Freddie, not as a Queen front man. Well, the answer isn’t straight forward, you can never please everyone. Critics have made claims that the film fails to accurately illustrate the tours and doesn’t live up to the hype. If you want to know more about their tours, watch their concerts. The film is a medley of melodies, memoirs, feelings, nostalgia, loss, happiness and betrayal. The initial belief that the film is about Queen is not incorrect; however, the film IS about Freddie Mercury, as it could not have been any other way. Brian May, has admitted that the idea behind the film was to honour Freddie, to create something that will make him proud, something that he would have enjoyed. As bold and extravagant as Freddie was, or seemed, there was more to him than meets the eye, and that is one aspect that the film did very well in terms of showing and not exploiting  Freddie’s delicate nature, his struggle with his identity, sexuality, appearance and not belonging. Not many will suspect this, I definitely did not, but Freddie Mercury, or Farrokh Bulsara, was not always the daring and fearless man that he was while on stage performing to millions of people. It’s as if he compensated for his insecurities and flaws by his dominating persona. As Freddie once said, he was a musical prostitute, and he gave us, the audience and the fans, his soul, passion and talent. What one can learn watching this man in action is how he proved people wrong, how no one believed in him, but he believed in himself.

One thing is for sure, the film does give us a ‘taste’ of the outrageous life that Mercury, along with the whole band lived. I refer to it as a ‘taste’ as the film attempts to cover a wide spectrum of events, from the beginnings of the band, to Freddie’s home life, his relationships and struggles, the bands troubles and ,of course, Freddie’s tragic illness which lead to his death. I have to admit that the narrative of the film focuses on some of these aspects more than others. For example, we first meet Freddie as Farrokh, living with his parents, facing discrimination based on his ethnicity, however more could have been covered in terms of Freddie’s family life and how the tension between him and his traditional father, affected Freddie and is career .The film however, does not disappoint and the family drama, as one would call it, is somewhat resolved. As mentioned previously, there has been an uproar in regards to an apparent misrepresentation of Freddie’s sexuality, as the film heavily focuses on the relationship of Freddie and Mary. However, whether people like it, or not, Mary was an important figure in Freddie’s life, not only did they have a romantic relationship, their friendship lasted throughout Freddie’s whole career, and while they both took different paths in life, there is simply no reason as to why the film should ignore the influence of Mary on Freddie’s life and his story; what purpose would this serve? Showing that Freddie loved a woman, by no means is an attempt to stigmatise, or deem his homosexuality inappropriate. For many, Freddie Mercury is a gay icon; however, he was more than his sexuality. Therefore, in order to do this man justice, by telling his story, we must accept his choices as they are and not pick and choose what we like, or dislike, what we agree, or disagree with, as that simply is none of our business. 

As a whole, the film visually stimulates the audience by its colourful and time appropriate colour palette, iconic costumes and makeup, and most importantly, an epic soundtrack! The film is  well put together, and while it’s still a conventional biopic, it has the gift of a very unconventional star, Rami Malek. What some don’t understand is that there isn’t a film long enough, that would enable us to truly see the unimaginable lives of these extraordinary people. A film cannot compare to the real Freddie, in fact, nothing compares to the real Freddie Mercury, yet still, the film and its whole cast deserves respect for even attempting to enter the world of such a remarkable man. What biopics offer its audience is the humanisation of their characters; these films portray real people, not robots who perform and entertain, but real people with real struggles, relatable and just like us. Lastly, I would like to add that if the band is happy with the film and how it gave insight into their lives, most importantly Freddie’s life, then that’s all it should matter; pleasing everyone is impossible. As much as we think we knew the legend, no one knew him quite like his own band mates, not even hardcore fans. Therefore, if the remaining band members are happy, then we should be too, happy to see the man we adored, loved and admired, still being a part of our culture.

If you haven’t seen the film, then PLEASE go and watch it! No matter how many concerts I go to, nothing will ever fill the void of not being able to see my hero, Freddie Mercury, performing live in all his glory. Sadly, or perhaps, fortunately, all our generation has left is the marvellous records, countless music videos and films, just like this one! So let’s enjoy and appreciate what we have!

Anna Gaszkowska