The Dark House (2009)

The story takes place in two parallel time planes. The first plot follows the events of one autumn night in 1978. Edward Srodon, a zootechnician, makes an accidental stopover in a farmhouse... See full summary »

Director:

Wojciech Smarzowski

Writers:

Lukasz Kosmicki (author) (co-writer), Wojciech Smarzowski (author) (co-writer)

Stars:

Arkadiusz Jakubik, Marian Dziedziel, Kinga Preis

8 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arkadiusz Jakubik	...	Edward Srodon
Marian Dziedziel	...	Zdzislaw Dziabas
Kinga Preis	...	Bozena Dziabasowa
Bartlomiej Topa	...	Mróz
Katarzyna Cynke	...	Maria Lisowska / Grazyna Srodoniowa
Robert Wabich	...	Lisowski
Robert Wieckiewicz	...	Prosecutor Tomala
Krzysztof Czeczot	...	Banas
Eryk Lubos	...	Petrycki
Lech Dyblik	...	Zajdel
Marcin Juchniewicz	...	Woznak
Bartosz Zukowski	...	Hawryluk
Grzegorz Wojdon	...	Serg. Jasiak
Slawomir Orzechowski	...	Zieba
Anna Grzeszczak	...	Mrs. Pokrywkowa

Storyline

The story takes place in two parallel time planes. The first plot follows the events of one autumn night in 1978. Edward Srodon, a zootechnician, makes an accidental stopover in a farmhouse of Dziabas family in the remote area of Bieszczady Mountains. He stays for the night. The initial distrust between the guest and his hosts is quickly dispelled with moonshine and turns into a camaraderie, intimacy and even friendship. A plan of making a joint business arises, as well as passion and lust, which lead to a surprising and tragic consequences... Second plot is set on a winter day, during the Martial Law in Poland. An investigating team of Milicja Obywatelska (People's Militia) is visiting the crime scene. Lieutenant Mroz is trying to solve the multiple murder case from four years ago. The tool he has to his disposal is the reconstruction of events with help of the chief suspect, Srodon.

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Plot Keywords:

scene of the crime | remote | murder | multiple murder | martial law | 

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Taglines:

Truth? There is no such thing.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Connections

References Fargo (1996)

User Reviews

Dark and disturbing in a positive way

This movie is telling a story that could happen anywhere - if anywhere is Poland or any other communist country. The way how the things happen will remind you that the human kind has its dark side that comes out way too easily! From my point of view it is one of the most interesting new polish movies, the plot is not obvious - or at least how it goes is not, it has integrity and all the right elements any movie should have. My only complaint would be that there are to many side stories included to the main story. Not all are relevant, and some quite hard to digest and understand.

If you like strong and heavy stuff - that makes you think about the condition of the human kind, you will find some in this movie.

I can recommend this title if you would like to see (or just remind yourself) how the things were done in communist Poland.

Details

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish

Release Date:

27 November 2009 (Poland)

Also Known As:

Casa întunecata

Filming Locations:

Malopolskie, Poland

Box Office

Budget:

EUR1,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,222,530

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film It, Polish Film Institute, SPI International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1