Komasa triumphs again as cyber thriller The Hater picks up gong at US film festival
Film director Jan Komasa’s Suicide Room: The Hater (Sala Samobojcow.Hejter) has won the Best International Narrative Feature award at New York's Tribeca Film Festival.
The first Polish film to ever qualify for the award, the cyber thriller shows how obsession for acceptance in a world of social media, fake news and the online paid hate industry can lead to revenge and individual downfall.
Komasa (pictured at the premiere in Warsaw) said that although cinemas had been closed shortly after its premiere because of the coronavirus pandemic, the award had given the film a second life.
Dark and compulsive, the film cast includes popular actors Maciej Musiałowski, Danuta Stenka, Maciej Stuhr, Jacek Koma and Vanessa Alexander.
Commenting on the award, Komasa said that he was doubly pleased because although cinemas had been closed shortly after its premiere because of the coronavirus pandemic, the award had given the film a second life.
The film stars Vanessa Alekdsander i Maciej Musiałowski.
Actor William Hurt who sat on the jury, said that the film was wonderful, inspirational, morally powerful, insightful, and essential.
In a letter to Komasa he wrote: ”Filled with deep understanding and compassion. It is this special kind of empathy that determines the strength of the film, becoming the authentic expression of the artist's conscience.
“It is empathy that resists pressure. It is honest. Fosters understanding.”
Komasa shot to international attention with his Oscar-nominated Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) which, inspired by real-life events, tells the story of an ex-criminal who pretends to be a priest.
Komasa shot to international attention with his Oscar-nominated Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) which, inspired by real-life events, tells the story of an ex-criminal who pretends to be a priest.
The Tribeca Film Festival was founded in 2001 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in direct response to the attacks of September 11.
The festival's goal was to show that US cinema was not only about Hollywood, but also the promotion of New York as the centre of the film industry and the presentation of the most interesting productions from abroad to a large audience.
This year's edition of the festival was held online due to the prevailing coronavirus epidemic.
