South by North (2006)

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:

Borys Szyc, Agnieszka Grochowska, Robert Wieckiewicz

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Borys Szyc	...	Jakub
Agnieszka Grochowska	...	Julia
Robert Wieckiewicz	...	Monk / Klen / Mushroom Enthusiast / Truck Driver / Maniek
Stanislawa Celinska	...	Woman with the Cows
Bozena Kluska	...	Shop Assistant
Marta Bulacinska	...	Kasia
Michal Czaja	...	Maniek's Son
Anna Kluska	...	Maniek's Daughter
Kamil Krawczyk	...	Maniek's Son
Tomasz Krawczyk	...	Maniek's Son
Filip Zajac	...	Maniek's Son
Julia Zajac	...	Maniek's Daughter
Bogdan Zielinski	...	Coachman
Józef Sala	...	Man with the Geese
Marzena Tomaszewska

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:

embarrassment | female nudity | skinny dipping | male rear nudity | male nudity | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie appeared on many festivals: was the opening film of the 22nd Warsaw International Film Festival, "Summer Stills" Film Festival in Cieszyn (there received "Golden Horseshoe" for the Best Film and "Golden Horseshoe" for the Best Male Role - Borys Szyc) and Busan International Film Festival ("International premiere").

User Reviews

A very personal journey

The storyline is simple and free of pretentiousness. Jacob has recently left his life as a friar, he's looking for a way to redeem himself to the world, and to himself. He meets Julia, (Agnieszka Grochowska) a former prostitute, who is on a journey toward redemption from her past. They have never seen the sea in their life, and their last desire, is to see it. Ultimately, this powerful lyric tells the story of a spiritual struggle. The emotions between Jacob and Julia are unspoken and intriguing. I was touched by the scene in the field when Julia confesses to Jacob. The dialog and careful rhythm, made the scene's undertone, inference all the more moving. Poludnie-Polnoc (South by North) is about experiencing each encounter to the fullest. I was spellbound by the fantastic portrayal of Jacob and Julia, by Agnieszka Grochowska and Borys Szyc. They once again proved their immense talent. I found their trip really fascinating, because the characters they created are so wonderfully human. Overall, Jacob and Julia's adventures through the countryside, are really amusing. There are many light hearted scenes I won't forget soon, although I'm not so sure about the ending. I especially liked the scene when Julia steals Jacobs shorts while he's swimming in the river. The script offers cracking lines, the jokes fly, so don't miss the story Julia tells about her colleague. This is a great flick!

Details

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish

Release Date:

26 January 2007 (Poland)

Also Known As:

Południe - Północ

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