Though he was awarded an honorary Oscar® in 2000, 83 year-old Andrzej Wajda, Poland’s most celebrated filmmaker shows no signs of slowing down with KATYN, a 2009 U.S. theatrical release of his most deeply personal film. An epic and sweeping drama that exposes an oft-overlooked moment in WWII history, KATYN is based on the “stunningly brutal” novel by Andrzej Mularcyk detailing Joseph Stalin’s horrific 1940 liquidation of the Polish officer corps in Katyn Forest. Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Academy Award® in 2008, the powerful KATYN will make its U.S. DVD debut on August 11 for $26.98SRP, complemented by a host of enlightening extras including an interview with Wajda, and interviews and reactions from the Polish premiere.
Port Washington, NY – Though he was awarded an honorary Oscar® in 2000, 83 year-old Andrzej Wajda, Poland’s most celebrated filmmaker shows no signs of slowing down with KATYN, a 2009 U.S. theatrical release of his most deeply personal film. An epic and sweeping drama that exposes an oft-overlooked moment in WWII history, KATYN is based on the “stunningly brutal” novel by Andrzej Mularcyk detailing Joseph Stalin’s horrific 1940 liquidation of the Polish officer corps in Katyn Forest. Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Academy Award® in 2008, the powerful KATYN will make its U.S. DVD debut on August 11 for $26.98SRP, complemented by a host of enlightening extras including an interview with Wajda, and interviews and reactions from the Polish premiere.
After the Nazis stormed into Poland, Stalin ordered Russian soldiers into the country, in order to oversee the imprisonment of all Polish officers. As these prisoners fearfully struggled to make sense of what was happening to them, the women in their lives – wives, siblings, mothers, daughters – anxiously awaited their return. Though mystery shrouded the events that were to unfold, these women eventually learned the bitter truth about the slaughter in the woods. For decades the truth was buried due to post-war Poland’s dependence on Russia, with the Nazis often blamed for the atrocity. Yet, half a century later, in 1990, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev admitted his nation’s responsibility and, in this powerful and unforgettable film, Wajda impressively recreates war-torn Poland and the compelling stories of both the perpetrators and their victims – one of whom happened to be Wajda’s cavalry officer father.
To bring the captivating KATYN to rich life, Wajda worked with some truly accomplished collaborators: Pawel Edelman’s richly textured cinematography and Krzysztof Penderecki’s powerful, resonant score help to further establish an atmosphere of beautiful sorrow. The cast – including Maja Ostaszewska (The Pianist, Schindler’s List), Artur Zmijewski (In Desert and Wilderness, Blood of the Innocent) and Andrzej Chyra – rises to the challenge as well, bringing a humanity and warmth to their characters and making KATYN pack an even more devastating emotional punch.
Aside from its 2009 U.S. theatrical release, KATYN has received international acclaim as official selections at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals, including Tribeca, Berlin and Denver, where it captured the award for “Best Feature Film”. A winner of the European Film Award Prix d’Excellence, it was also a seven-time winner at the Polish Film Awards for “Best Film”, “Best Supporting Actress”, “Best Cinematography”, “Best Production Design”, “Best Costume Design”, “Best Sound” and “Best Music”. KOCH Lorber delivers the film with a 16x9 aspect ratio and 5.1 Surround Sound; it is also presented in Polish with English subtitles.
About KOCH Lorber Films
Dedicated to providing the best in award-winning, classic and contemporary international cinema, documentary features and cultural programming, KOCH Lorber Films is a market leader for high quality releases to both wide and specialized audiences through theatrical, television and home video distribution. KOCH Lorber Films DVD releases include: the classic films La Dolce Vita, The Decline of the American Empire, Teorema and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and recent festival hits such as Intimacy, The Girl From Paris, Children of the Century, The Five Obstructions and Save the Green Planet. Visit KOCH Lorber Films online at www.kochlorberfilms.com.
