Poludnie - Pólnoc (2007)

Jacob (29) leaves a monastery. On his first stop he meets Julia (21) - an attractive but neurotic young woman, who joins him. They both want to reach the sea, but their journey ends in a very different place...

Director:

Lukasz Karwowski

Writer:

Lukasz Karwowski

Stars:

Stanislawa Celinska, Agnieszka Grochowska, Borys Szyc

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Stanislawa Celinska	...	Woman with Cows
Agnieszka Grochowska	...	Julia
Borys Szyc	...	Jacob
Robert Wieckiewicz	...	Monk, Klen, Mushroom Enthusiast, Trucker, Maniek

Storyline

Jacob (29) leaves a monastery. On his first stop he meets Julia (21) - an attractive but neurotic young woman. Jacob wants to reach the sea. She decides to join him. As they don't have any money they travel by foot, hitch-hiking or riding stolen bicycles. On their way they talk, laugh, cry, meet other people and get closer and closer to each other as their journey continues. Julia, who used to be a prostitute in a big city, is diagnosed HIV positive. A very special emotion builds up between those two so different people - a monk and a prostitute...

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Plot Keywords:

cardinal direction in title

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Taglines:

Some journeys make you become someone else... someone who might outlive the original.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish

Release Date:

26 January 2007 (Poland)

Also Known As:

South by North

Filming Locations:

Majkowice, Lódzkie, Poland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zoom Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jacob has his hand broken and put into plaster. While explaining his situation, Jacob says that he "broke his hand, went to a doctor and...". The true story is that the actor, Borys Szyc, broke his hand just few days before the shoot had started, and the screenplay had to be adapted to the situation. Initially, in the story, he was to play a guitar.

User Reviews

this story is unforgettable

I saw South by North when it was officially released. Two months down the line, I still remember leaving the theater smiling. Jacob and Julia's story is so frank and full of charm. I especially identified with their crazy plan, to travel from central, middle of nowhere Poland, to the sea on foot. I guess that's what Life is all about; trying to fulfill our spontaneous ideas, which sometimes change our lives forever. Of course, this journey film, isn't really about destination, it's about 'real feelings'. Agnieszka Grochowska and Borys Szyc are great; the chemistry between the leads really shows. There are moments during the journey when you just think: Wow. I liked the comedy scenes (particularly the one when the old country woman asks Brother Jacob for a blessing for her cow, which she believes is possessed of the devil, since it ate her bed sheets). The odd assortment of characters they meet along the way is really memorable. Apart from a great humorous potential, rural Poland is also very photogenic. The landscape cinematography atmospheric, and so is the music. Overall, one scene is a little predictable, but apart from that, I can't really complain about any 'cons'. Well worth seeing. I hope there will be more Polish features like it.