Retrieval (2006)
"Z odzysku" (original title)

19 year old Wojtek lives in a poverty stricken Polish town. He is in love with an older woman, an illegal emigrant from Ukraine. He boxes in illegal matches to get money and is spotted by a... See full summary »

Director:

Slawomir Fabicki

Writers:

Slawomir Fabicki, Denijal Hasanovic,

Stars:

Antoni Pawlicki, Nataliya Vdovina, Jacek Braciak

12 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antoni Pawlicki	...	Wojtek
Nataliya Vdovina	...	Katia
Jacek Braciak	...	Gazda
Dimitri Melnichuk	...	Andrij
Michal Filipiak	...	Baton
Wojciech Zielinski	...	Kalafior
Jerzy Trela	...	Grandpa
Dorota Pomykala	...	Mother
Jowita Miondlikowska	...	Gazda's Wife
Jan Pyrlik	...	Gazda's Son
Karolina Tokarek	...	Gazda's Daughter
Marek Bielecki	...	Badylarz
Danuta Widuch-Jagielska	...	Badylarz's Wife
Katarzyna Lecznar	...	Badylarz's Daughter
Andrzej Mastalerz	...	Elves Producer

Storyline

19 year old Wojtek lives in a poverty stricken Polish town. He is in love with an older woman, an illegal emigrant from Ukraine. He boxes in illegal matches to get money and is spotted by a man running a security business. Accepting this man's offer means becoming a gangster, but this could allow him to a residence permit for his girlfriend Katya.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [pl]

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish Russian

Release Date:

17 November 2006 (Poland)

Also Known As:

Retrieval

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+ Polska, EU Media Plus Program, Opus Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 103 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

A stunning portrayal of morality

This film is about a man's struggle between the strive for a better life and morality.

The film does not have beautiful sets or costumes. Instead, it uses the detailed description of the psychological conflict to draw the viewers. Wojtek starts off as a hard working person, in order to provide for his girlfriend and her son. After getting the first taste of big bucks, he spirals into the underworld. Initially, he refuses to cooperate with the gangsters, but he succumbs to lucrative financial rewards.

The portrayal of Wojtek's inner struggle is amazing. I could feel his pain and confusion. The transition from a caring Wojtek to a ruthless Wojtek is remarkable and thoughtfully shown. Katia stands for a high moral value, and the conflict between the couple is palpable.

The only disappointment I find with the film is that the ending is too abrupt.