Mother Teresa of Cats (2010)

Police arrest two brothers, Artur and Martin, at their aunt's provincial motel and escort them to jail in the capital. Unfolding in flashback, the film seeks out the motives for the crime ... See full summary »

Director:

Pawel Sala

Writer:

Pawel Sala

Stars:

Ewa Skibinska, Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, Filip Garbacz

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ewa Skibinska	...	Teresa
Mateusz Kosciukiewicz	...	Artur
Filip Garbacz	...	Marcin
Mariusz Bonaszewski	...	Hubert
Ewa Szykulska	...	Krystyna
Monika Pikula	...	Ewa
Malgosia Lata	...	Jadzia
Helena Norowicz	...	Aunt Róza
Janusz Lagodzinski	...	Therapist
Lukasz Simlat	...	Broker
Janusz Chabior	...	Jacek
Beata Fido	...	Teacher
Piotr Dabrowski	...	Capral
Marek Serdiukow	...	Policeman - neighbour
Marta Dobecka	...	Wiktoria

Storyline

Police arrest two brothers, Artur and Martin, at their aunt's provincial motel and escort them to jail in the capital. Unfolding in flashback, the film seeks out the motives for the crime they have committed. How did such irrational evil germinate in boys from a good family? Mother Teresa loves her two sons and sympathizes with her husband Hubert, a professional soldier traumatized by his experiences in Iraq. She helps music student Eva who lives with them and cares for their autistic daughter Jadza, and she is kindhearted to stray cats as well, allowing them to fill up their large apartment. Twenty-two-year-old Artur, fascinated by psychotronics, falls prey to the illusion of his own extraordinariness. He has his younger brother Martin completely under his control and their mother suspects nothing. His sense of superiority is confirmed by his father's growing impotence, and he scorns the man for investing his retirement bonus foolishly. But the sons' motives don't reflect the ...

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | bare chested teenage boy | 

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Genres:

Drama

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User Reviews

Nonlinear narrative

A disturbing crime movie (based on real events) told backwards in time. The story begins with the apprehension of the culprits by a SWAT team and their transportation to prison and continues with time running backwards. Most of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place by the end, although, like in real life, not everything is neatly clarified. The movie probably needs to be watched twice; on second viewing we notice hints that we may have missed the first time.

Is the inverted time narration a gimmick? I believe not. It produces a sort of Brechtian alienation effect that strips the story of its melodramatic components and approximates the way in which the Polish public (and some of the characters) became aware of the crime. Other movies, like 5 x 2 (2004) by Francois Ozon have used to advantage the time-backwards format.

Excellent direction by Pawel Sala. He also wrote the script, spare and chilling, with especially disturbing lines for Artur, played by Mateusz Kosciukiewicz. Outstanding performances by all actors. The subdued cinematography by Nikolaj Lebkowski matches perfectly the story.

A not-to-miss movie. You may find it in the rental services under its Polish title, Matka Teresa od Kotów.

Details

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish

Release Date:

17 September 2010 (Poland)

Also Known As:

Macskás Teréz anya

Filming Locations:

Most Siekierkowski, Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$91,575

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rozwój Film Production, Syrena Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color