Argentinian Lesson

Argentyńska lekcja

  • Description
  • Cast and crew
  • Duration: 57'
  • Genre: LIFESTYLE, PEOPLE
  • Resolution: HD
  • Year: 2011

Set in the remote Argentinian town of Azara, this personal documentary by Wojciech Staroń features his seven-year-old son Janek. While the Polish director’s wife teaches locals of Polish origin the language of their forefathers, the boy is sent to school to learn Spanish. Janek soon befriends Marcia and the two spend most of their time playing. However, the carefree world of childhood is gradually destroyed by Marcia’s fears for her family. Janek's eagerness and Marcia's tenacity make them two unforgettable characters in an unconventional love story that sees the innocence of childhood surrounded by the harsh realities of adulthood. Shots of the windswept landscape of northern Argentina and masterful camera work were appreciated at numerous festivals.

  • Awards:
  • 2011 Berlin International Film Festival – Silver Bear for Best Cinematography
  • 2011 Minsk International Film Festival – Listapad – Grand Prix
  • 2011 Doc Leipzig – Silver Dove Award
  • 2011 Festival dei Popoli in Florence – The Best Director Prize
  • 2011 Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival – Grand Prize
  • 2011 Plus Camerimage International Film Festival – Łódź – Golden Frog
  • 2011 Kraków Film Festival – Golden Horn
  • 2012 Docudays International Human Rights Film Festival – Kiev – Main Prize of DOCU/LIFE Competition
  • 2012 “Let’s CEE” International Documentary Film Festival in Vienna – Grand Prix
  • 2012 Makedox in Skopje – Onion Award for Best International Documentary
  • 2012 Detour International Film Festival in Padua – Grand Prix
  • 2012 Polish Film Festival in America – Chicago – Golden Teeth Award
  • 2012 Batumi International Art House Film Festival – Best Documentary Film
  • 2012 Recontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal – Best Medium-Length Film
  • 2012 Chicago Polish Film Festival – Best Documentary Film Award
  • 2012 RIDM International Documentary Film Festival in Montreal – Best Medium-Length Film
  • 2013 Cinema Eye Honors Awards – Spotlight Award

Similar

Heritage history, people

Paweł and Franciszek Buchalik were just simple boys from the small village of Gotartowice in Silesia. They were primary school students and boy scouts. Funnily enough, they had the same last name even though there were not...

Ukrainer people

The documentary presents different paths that emigrants from Ukraine have chosen after leaving their country. It shows how they try to make a new life for themselves in Polish cities and towns. They work in offices and local...

We Stood Bravely, and Threw Accurately history

This is a documentary about the tragic events of December 1970, when the workers’ revolt across Poland caused by a sudden increase in food prices and other everyday items, was brutally suppressed. The film is based on recently...