Bartosz M. Kowalski on ‘Blazing the Trail of Horror’ in Poland and Working with Late ‘Night Silence’ Lead: ‘I Hope and Believe He’s Proud of the Film’

As a cinephile who has seen countless films and witnessed the behind-the-scenes dramas that often accompany their creation, I find “Night Silence” to be a hauntingly poignant masterpiece. The tragic passing of Maciej Damięcki before the film’s premiere added another layer of terror that transcended the horror genre into the realm of the deeply personal and emotional.


In the chilling movie “Night Silence,” Bartosz M. Kowalski, a Polish director, traces the story of Lucjan (Maciej Damięcki), who has been relocated to a nursing home by his son. The facility conceals a mysterious truth. However, the film assumed an even more “frightening aspect” after the shooting had ended.

In conversation with EbMaster, Kowalski shared that Maciej portrayed a character who was supposed to be dying in the story, unfortunately, this turned out to be a real-life scenario as Damięcki passed away before the premiere last November. Posthumously, he received an award for his outstanding performance at the Polish Film Festival.

“It was emotional for all of us,” admits the director.

From the moment I first laid eyes on him, it was clear he was destined for the lead role. An immediate connection sparked between us. On set, there were concerns about the challenging subject matter, especially with our cast predominantly in their golden years. Yet, Maciej had a knack for lightening the mood – joking, singing, and even dancing during breaks. Unfortunately, he never got to witness his performance, which is a source of deep pain for me.

“I hope and believe he’s watching us and is proud of the film.”

Bartosz M. Kowalski on ‘Blazing the Trail of Horror’ in Poland and Working with Late ‘Night Silence’ Lead: ‘I Hope and Believe He’s Proud of the Film’

“Night Silence,” produced by Latido and making its way to acclaimed film festivals like Sitges Film Festival and Warsaw Film Festival, is reportedly Kowalski’s most intense emotional journey yet. He is also the mastermind behind Netflix’s slasher films such as “Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight,” its sequel, and “Hellhole.” (Paraphrased)

As a cinephile, I found myself veering away from the comedic overtures in ‘Hellhole’, seeking a change. The allure of crafting an intimate, contemplative piece that mirrored my innermost thoughts became irresistible. In essence, ‘Night Silence’ was not just another film; it was a deeply personal reflection, a challenge I took on with unyielding determination. This cinematic endeavor proved to be my most arduous yet rewarding journey.

Not just because of its emotional depth.

He mentioned that it’s been difficult to produce this movie due to two reasons. First, the majority of the cast is older individuals, which has made securing funding challenging. Second, the film’s theme is unconventional, adding to the difficulty. He describes securing the budget as a terrifying ordeal.

Today, I’m simply thankful that it’s here, in spite of all these challenges. It could be that it was meant to appear at this moment rather than any other time before.

Drawing inspiration from his personal family encounters, Kowalski frequently pondered the concept of mortality.

This subject both scares and intrigues me deeply. To me, dying isn’t solely about growing older. It encompasses those gradual, unavoidable transformations we experience in our bodies, minds, personal connections, and even the world around us,” he expresses.

Lucjan longs to think that there’s something beyond our current existence. Fundamentally, I believe we all yearn for death not to be merely vanishing, but rather a transformation or journey. A new experience that lies ahead, waiting for us as we reach the end of our path.

Even though Kowalski has created numerous horror films, he still believes that he’s essentially forging a path in Polish horror movie production on his own.

Even after five films, I sometimes feel like an errant knight. Historically, genres such as horror, fantasy, and sci-fi have been considered fringe in Poland. However, the advent of streaming platforms has significantly broadened these boundaries. This newfound freedom allowed me to explore uncharted territories. For ‘Night Silence,’ we received backing from the Polish Film Institute, which indicates a shift towards acceptance and openness. The initial reluctance or fear is being replaced by curiosity and interest.

Kowalski collaborated on the script with Mirella Zaradkiewicz and Pawel Maslona, who is famed for his unconventional take on historical dramas like “Scarborn.

Kowalski expresses that we were seeking a new point of view, and he’s convinced there’s space for more than just romantic comedies or films focused on moral tension – a popular trend in Polish cinema since the 1970s. He believes the Polish audience should have access to diverse cinematic experiences,” says Kowalski.

I initially crossed paths with Mirella while working on my inaugural documentary for HBO. Since then, she’s been the producer for every movie I’ve created and has even co-written most of them. It was her relentless spirit, resilience, and skill that ultimately brought ‘Night Silence’ to fruition.

Currently, his fascination lies in all things “horror-related,” yet Kowalski remains clueless about the origins of his affection for this genre.

He admits that he’s completely stumped on the subject. In fact, just the other day, he discussed it with his mom. Interestingly enough, his parents permitted him to watch horror movies from a young age, and by the time he was 13, he had already penned down his first horror screenplay,” he recounts.

It’s important that these movies truthfully represent themselves, as authenticity is key in this genre. On the other hand, horror offers a unique platform for expressing various feelings. I plan to continue creating such films throughout my lifetime.

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2024-10-09 22:47