Ida (2013)

A novice nun about to take her vows uncovers a family secret dating back to the German occupation.

Director:

Pawel Pawlikowski

Writers:

Pawel Pawlikowski (screenplay), Rebecca Lenkiewicz (screenplay)

Stars:

Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik

Won 1 Oscar. Another 67 wins & 89 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Agata Kulesza	...	Wanda
Agata Trzebuchowska	...	Anna
Dawid Ogrodnik	...	Lis
Jerzy Trela	...	Szymon
Adam Szyszkowski	...	Feliks
Halina Skoczynska	...	Mother Superior
Joanna Kulig	...	Singer
Dorota Kuduk	...	Kaska
Natalia Lagiewczyk	...	Bronia
Afrodyta Weselak	...	Marysia
Mariusz Jakus	...	Barman
Izabela Dabrowska	...	Waitress
Artur Janusiak	...	Policeman
Anna Grzeszczak	...	Neighbour
Jan Wojciech Poradowski	...	Father Andrew (as Jan Wociech Poradowski)

Storyline

Poland, 1962. Anna, an orphan brought up by nuns in the convent, is a novice. She has to see Wanda, the only living relative, before she takes her vows. Wanda tells Anna about her Jewish roots. Both women start a journey not only to find their family's tragic story, but to see who they really are and where they belong. They question what they used to believe in.

---

Plot Keywords:

nun | poland | 1960s | convent | jew | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and smoking

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pawel Pawlikowski had such difficulty finding an actress to play the titular character that he asked his friends to take secret photographs if they saw anyone who was in the right ballpark of the character. One of his friends, director Malgorzata Szumowska, saw Agata Trzebuchowska in a Warsaw café, took the picture and persuaded her to audition.

---

Goofs

Flipped image. Near the end, Ida is resting in bed with her head on a pillow, to the left side of the screen. The close up shot is from above looking down and the image is flipped. A small mole that has been on her right cheek throughout the film is, in this shot, on her left side, and returns to her right side in the following shots.

---

Quotes

Lis: You've no idea of the effect you have, do you?

---

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Kevin Hart/Jay Baruchel/Meghan Trainor (2015)

---

Soundtracks

Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 - 'Jupiter': I. Allegro vivace
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(1788)

User Reviews

Amazing movie, amazing technique, acting, music, and story

Ida was a dark somber tragic story expressed perfectly in film.

I am not a big fan of black and white "art" movies done for effect, except the old black and white movies, but Ida was filmed so perfectly, and the stark black and white was so integral to the story and feeling of the movie it was really perfect.

I am not a big fan of jazz either, but again, the choice of Coltrane's jazz music for parts of this film really let you feel what jazz is all about, it was beautiful.

The story was of an orphan nun who is preparing to take her final vows to God. The Mother Superior calls her in and tells her about who she is. Ida grew up not knowing her name or anything about her family. Ida finds that she has an aunt nearby and is told to go to see her before taking her vows.

The slow, heavy and deliberate pace of the movie express the story so perfectly, and there is no pandering or cheap shots, the movie is beautifully done. This is a story that is not for everyone, or every time, but I am glad it was made and that I saw it.

I have to give it a 10/10 for pure craftsmanship and cinematic perfection.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Poland Denmark France UK

Language:

Polish Latin French

Release Date:

25 October 2013 (Poland)

Also Known As:

Ida

Filming Locations:

Lódz, Lódzkie, Poland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,438, 4 May 2014

Gross USA:

$3,827,060

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,156,836

Company Credits

Production Co:

Opus Film, Phoenix Film Investments, Canal+ Polska

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1