The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize

One of my favorite galleries in London, the National Portrait Gallery is the proud home of some of the most exquisite examples of the art of portrait. Every year it holds countless wonderful exhibitions. I like BP Portrait Award perhaps even more, because of the extraordinary use of paints and brushes by those masterful artists, but nevertheless, the level of photographs in the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize makes you want to see more and more and more. Below are a few examples of this year's rich exhibition, that takes place only until February 17th, 2013, so get there at once!
For more information: The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize.

"Lincoln" - a conservative take on the Civil War

A great history lesson, indeed. Is there more to the latest film directed by Steven Spielberg than just history? The first hour or so makes me think of TV midday docu-dramas that are watched by housewives/ househusbands and retirees. But then it gets better, when Daniel Day - Lewis has his speeches as the 16th US President Abraham Lincoln. Unbelievable, what can Day - Lewis do with any of his roles. He changes so dramatically, that when I just recently watched "The Last of the Mohicans" he was not recognisable any more. The specific manner of speaking, the "h-why's" or "h-where's," the way he walked and the way his side-face looked like, quite remarkable.
This is what's best about the film - the actors. Tommy Lee - Jones does not really fit with his awkward wig, but nevertheless, his performance inevitably reminds me of his look at the Golden Globe ceremony - vide the grumpy cat. Sally Field has her moments, so does Joseph Gordon - Levitt, playing Lincoln's eldest son.
Obviously I loved the cinematography, not just because I'm a fan of Janusz Kaminski. His takes don't change too much over the years, but they just add so much to the story! This time the dream sequences were done really masterfully. Tony Kushner, the screenwriter undoubtedly knows his score, but perhaps he should work on the story a bit more. How is it possible that the most important events of the Civil War were shown in such a way that I looked on my watch once or twice? And in a Spielberg movie? But fortunately, when the first hour or so was over, the rest of the movie was really gripping and really in the style of Spielberg's finest achievements.
A great review is available in The New Yorker.

"The Sense of an Ending" by Julian Barnes

I got interested in Julian Barnes' works long after he was awarded Booker Prize for "The Sense of an Ending," but he already became one of my favorite authors. His prose I would call "quintessentially British" if there ever was anything like that. He weighs words very carefully, his metaphors urge to think of literary genius. In Barnes' books everything matters and all is of consequence.
"The Sense of an Ending" seemingly is a short novel about friendship and mysteries that are discovered years after they actually happened. The pace is rather slow, and the complexity of relationships described in much detail, which makes you believe in genius of this contemporary master of written word - Julian Barnes.
The book is about the life of Anthony Webster and described by himself. His early school years, college, first  girlfriends, sexual conquests, and his three school friends. Reflections of the past haunt Tony as he receives an intriguing inheritance and realizes that his past never had a real closure.
"The Sense of an Ending" had its premiere in August 2011, and received Man Booker Prize.
The other works of Julian Barnes (there are 11 under his own name) include "Flaubert's Parrot," "Arthur and George," "England, England." Recommended!

"Broken" - small film, great emotions

Not very often it so happens that a film moves you so much you don't know whether to laugh or cry. "Broken", a directorial feature debut of Rufus Norris, is one of those rare examples of such films.
Set in the outskirts of London, somewhere in the North, tells a story of a 11-year-old Skunk - a normal, maybe a little smarter than the rest, teenager. Her father is a busy lawyer, her older brother is already into girls. She has diabetes and deals with it best she can. On the same crescent, there live two other families, each one with specific problems. Skunk has a crush on her English teacher (who wouldn't - it's Cillian Murphy we're talking about!), who happens to be her Polish au pair's boyfriend.
"Broken" is very intimate, mature, gentle, but at the same time it presents life as it is: with all its ups and downs, all the embarassments, sadness and joy. Perhaps it also is a Bildungsroman, a coming-of-age story of little Skunk, who deals with matters bigger than herself. Perhaps you see echoes of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and such juxtapositions would be justified as well.
"Broken" has just recently won the Independent British Film Award for best independent picture, and Rory Kinnear got the award as well. Eloise Laurence, an exceptional lady, made her debut here as well as Rufus Norris, but you would think she was just born to act.
The review in Polish is to be found on FilmNews or below.

Bakery: Breakfast Rolls

To make these breakfast rolls you only need some yeast, flour, milk, sugar, one egg, some butter and salt. These many ingredients make the best 12 - or more delicious breakfast buns that do not require too much time to grow. If you wake up early enough, it might be a great base for a perfect late breakfast!
Recipe in Polish
Recipe in English
Below a quick introductory in pictures.

"Django Unchained" - brilliant acting and more

Although the movie is in the cinemas worldwide for some time now, and I've seen it around 3 weeks ago too, it is finally time to discuss it, briefly at least, before everyone's eyes are turned to Berlin next week.
Quentin Tarantino remains one of my favorite directors ever for his wit, extravagant ideas, mixing all the genras together, and the attachment to detail. Above all, I like his scripts and music he chooses. He doesn't have to ask anyone for their opinion now, unlike in the beginnings of his career. With the premieres of "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction," "True Romance" (script) and "Inglorious Basterds" he himself is able to decide on the terms of cooperation. And you can see it all in "Django Unchained." Although there were people in Hollywood who protested Tarantino approaching the topic of slavery (Spike Lee) he did it his own way. He told the story of a certain slave (Jamie Foxx) who had more brains than most of his masters, and a certain German dentist (recklessly played by an Austrian Christoph Waltz) who becomes a bounty hunter. His adventures lead them to a slave owner (Leonardo DiCaprio) who owns Broomhilda, Django's wife. There will be blood, as classics say.
The story is intriguing and witty. Main characters played with bravado and intelligence, exceptional Tarantino's discovery - Christoph Waltz makes a wonderful appearance, same goes for DiCaprio. If one should like to choose between Tarantino's two last films, it would be my recommendation to start with "Django Unchained" and then the "Basterds", but in my opinion the latter is still a wee bit better.
All in all, Quentin Tarantino keeps in shape, he rediscovers US history with a twist. Worth seeing!

Peter Bradshaw writes about the film for "The Guardian"

Review from "The New York Times"

Sundance! "Fruitvale" nails it

One of the most beloved film festivals around the world, that promotes above all independent cinema, which you're not always likely to see on big screens in your country. Nevertheless, here it is all about small films. Films that cherish great stories, intimate atmosphere and climate for in-depth discussions.
It so happens that the movies that win Sundance are usually the ones that public loves, like "Little Miss Sunshine," "Juno," or "Beasts of the Southern Wild" from last year.
Too bad Utah is so far away. Good films to be seen. Sundance Film Festival is almost over however, it takes place from 19th till 29th January 2013.
Below is the full list of films in competition AND THE WINNERS. We'll surely hear a lot about them in the nearest future!

"The Human Stain" by Philip Roth

Philip Roth, one of the greatest writers alive, remains one of my personal favorite authors. For his outstanding  work he received many awards in his lifetime, but is still waiting in the line to get his Nobel Prize. Roth has written a lot over the years, and just recently he announced that he is retiring, what caused a considerable stir in the literary world. His best known works include "Portnoy's Complaint (1969)," "American Pastoral (1997)," "I Married a Communist" (1998), "The Human Stain" (2000), "The Plot Against America" (2004). Just recently I finished two books in a row, first "A Plot Against America" and now "The Human Stain."
"The Human Stain" is a book about a seventy-year-old classics professor Coleman Silk living in 1990s New England. There is the whole Clinton-Lewinsky scandal in the background, but most importantly there are intriguing themes of modern-day racism, love affairs, illiteracy, feminism, race and many more.

The way Roth writes about all these things makes you wonder where does he get all his brilliant ideas from. In this story there are more skeletons in the closets you might possibly imagine. One cannot call it an enjoyable read (as there are too many important themes written about to enjoy the story), but nevertheless, "The Human Stain" is gripping, witty, and tells you more about the great American society than you ever wanted to know. Recommended to all those who always wanted more from literature.

The book was adapted as quite a successful film starring Anthony Hopkins as Coleman Silk, Nicole Kidman as Faunia Farley (lover of Silk's) and Gary Sinise as Nathan Zuckerman, the narrator, Ed Harris as Lester Farley (Faunia's ex-husband) and Wentworth Miller (as young Coleman Silk), directed by Robert Benton.

A review from "The New York Times"
A review from "The Guardian"

Berlinale Competition 2013 now complete

In just about two weeks, all the eyes of frequent moviegoers, will be turned to Berlin, and one of the most famous international film festivals there are. Berlinale, with its 63-year-old history is one of the oldest festivals, and often with the best selection of films. Here is the complete list of the titles that will be shown in the competition section of the 63rd IFF Berlinale 2013, that starts on February 7th 2013. Below, also a full list of the movies in the Panorama section.

Roddy Doyle "The Commitments"

Doyle has been one of my favorite Irish writers since I visited Dublin a couple years back. Of course, the Irish would always say that Dublin is not Ireland, but well, it's the capital, innit?
Well, so far I've read just three works of his, but nevertheless, I remain a devoted supporter. Of the the three books I have ["The Woman Who Walked Into Doors," (1996) "A Star Called Henry" (1999) and "The Commitments" (1987)] I like "A Star Called Henry" best, but "The Commitments," Doyle's first book, shows  some characteristics of his distinct style.
"The Commitments" is a story of a fictional Irish soul band, members of which, with one exception, are young, unemployed and living in the north side of Dublin. Up to here their story is kind of similar to the one from "The Full Monty," so if you enjoyed the tale of entrepreneurial unemployed Brits, that story might be just what you're looking for.
"The Commitments" end up splitting, but they achieved a minor success when they were still a band. Most importantly, it brought him much joy to perform. The short story (it's not really a novel) was also turned into a successful movie in 1991. On the cover of my book it says that both the book and the movie are "cult" nowadays, but I think it's rather an overstatement. Lots of books are called "cult" these days, which doesn't necessarily make them so. Neverthless, an entertaining read.
Here, on BBC you can listen to Roddy Doyle discuss "The Commitments" in 2004.

Bakery: Cracker? What Cracker?

Although "Bakery" usually suggests new kinds of cakes and pastries for all the "sweet teeth" in the world, this is the time to recommend a savoury snack, very easy to make, and so delicious, you might never again think of buying them again. Crackers. There is cheese inside, but it is not very easy to recognize the taste, especially if you add spices (unless you used some very particular kind of cheese). My crackers are topped with chilli, garlic salt, and some are made with poppy seed (added to the dough). Some are left natural and they are equally delicious. Out of this recipe, around as much as a hundred little crackers can be made!
A lovely recipe in English can be found here. Enjoy!

Eduardo Kac waters plants with his blood

Someone told me during a lecture on technophobias and cyborgs that there is an artist or, should I call him, bio-engineer, who makes experiments on living things, which he then calls art. Well, I wouldn't be so sure about it, but since I'm very open-minded about art, there must be something to it. This artist is namely Eduardo Kac, an American contemporary artist, who has been experimenting since the 1990. For example, one of his projects included himself having implanted a microchip inside his own body (he was then one of the first people to do such a thing). One of his most famous works was entitled "Alba", which was a rabbit. Kac implanted a green fluorescent protein inside the rabbit, a specific gene from a jellyfish, which made the rabbit green-fluorescent (creepy!). No one knows if the rabbit is still alive though.

"The Sessions" - triumphant John Hawkes

Once in a while there is a movie that changes your perspective on things. For some it was "Untouchables" last year. To me, it was ok and optimistic and generally a success, but it nevetheless lacked something. Where "Untouchables" lacked, "The Sessions" are winning.
Ben Lewin's feature is about Mark O'Brien, a 40-year-old disabled journalist. Actually, Mark is attached to his bed due to this horrible polio disease that took his ability in the early childhood age ("polio" as in "Roosevelt's polio" as well). Because Mark is disabled, he hasn't also many opportunities in life in which he could physically experience love, and so, on the verge of turning "40" he decided that he doesn't want to be a virgin anymore. Obviously, it's not easy to find him the right partner and friends turn his attention towards an experienced "surrogate" or "sex-therapist" that is supposed to help Mark face his fears and reach fulfillment, also sexually.
Lewin's movie is very subtle. There is no simplifying vulgarity and obscenity like in "40-year-old virgin." Here everything is shown in a delicate, sensitive way. Helen Hunt and John Hawkes accompanied by brilliant William H. Macy as a catholic priest create a super-ensemble for such a story. Emphasizig just the right accords, showing the right feelings, pulling the right strings. Far better than pretty much everything you've seen on mature sexuality there is.
For my extended review in Polish scroll down or go to FilmNews.
Check also Roger Ebert's review.

"Ceasar Must Die"

The latest movie by the Taviani brothers won last year's Berlinale, but only now it arrives in Poland and some other countries on the continent. It is a difficult docu-drama set in a prison, where the prisoners are about to perform one of William Shakespeare's drama, "Julius Ceasar." They are simple people with simple minds, but they understand enough about brotherhood, blood, killing and power. This is why a theatrical play rises questions and undiscovered emotions. Interestingly enough, the movie was set in Rebibbia, a famous prison when Ali Agca was an inmate for some time as well.
When "Ceasar Must Die" was shown in Berlin, in brought different emotions into daylight. Some reviewers said it was an easy choice of the Jury (led then by Mike Leigh). I wasn't a real fan of the picture either, but it actually gained new meaning some time after I saw it.
Really what astonishes in the film most, are the scenes of the casting. There are dozens of prisoners, all wanting to be in the play desperately, all speaking different accents, all there because of a terrible crime. And surprisingly enough, all very open-minded about theatre. One of the prisoners (Salvatore Striano playing Brutus) after leavinf prison, became a professional actors. Food for Thought.
More in The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter.
My review was published on FilmNews, you can also scroll down.

Golden Globe Winners

There were no real surprises, the winners had to win, the loosers will lose as it was meant to be. For the 100th time it seems that the people with most friends in Hollywood were bound to win. And that's okay. That's how it always looked like in the ultimate Dream Factory. And the viewers all around the world had a great opportunity to see all the latest fashions on the red carpet, something that we all will be re-living for the next couple of weeks, when we'll see all of them again on another red carpet watching the Oscars.
Nevertheless, Mel Gibson is out and running again, Tommy Lee Jones has been named the ultimate owner of the grumpy cat that has conquered the net (Jones being the only one in the audience that hasn't laughed once throughout the whole ceremony), Jodie Foster had her coming-out although the whole world already knew what's cookin' in her private life. She looked stunning by the way, getting her lifetime achievement Cecil B. DeMille award. Adele with her Globe high-fived super-cool Daniel Craig and was astonishingly normal. She's a Brit, that's why. The hostesses were really cool. Overall, a nice night to remember.
Oh, and Ben Affleck got awards too! Can't say I'm disappointed, because I liked "Argo", but it means that he will possibly be left out at the Oscars. Too bad.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, hostesses of the ceremony

Bakery: Cheesecake with Peaches

This time something relatively sweet and delicate. Perfect for a party or casual family meeting. Easy and relatively quick to make, delicious and soft. Out of the proportions from the recipe I used (available in Polish here, in English it might be something like this, but one has to bear in mind that the cheese I use is curd cheese, which is different from cream cheese. Also the recipe in English is without the upper topping, which I made). The preparation of cheesecake layers in short goes like this: crust, cheese, peaches (sliced), soft meringue (made with egg whites and sugar), and upper crust. Baked for 1 hour, it is a delicious all-time favorite dessert. Enjoy!

Refreshing Oscar nominations

Here they are! Finally the nominations for this year's Oscars  are there, a few positive surprises as well. Of course, the nomination for Janusz Kaminski, for best cinematography is always good news, but the Academy has made some unobvious choices, like nominating "Beasts of the Southern Wild" for Best Picture, directing, and best female act, of the tiny Quvenzhané Wallis. Too bad, " Moonrise Kingdom" was not nominated for more awards, let's hope Wes Anderson at least gets best screenplay. Absolutely well deserved. I have a feeling that nominating "Amour" so many times is the expression of cherishing older generations rather than the film itself. Don't get me wrong. It was a  very good movie, but totally and absolutely not an "Oscar" one. Maybe for Best Foreign Picture. Though I'd vote for "The Royal Affair." By the nominations I put marks, where I think the person or movie will or should win, and the marks are of course very subjective. Sometimes I'm sure the movie won't get it, but I nevertheless mark it. How do I know such things? It's just over the years, the Academy has shown, that not always best films win, and that's that. But so far, this year it is actually a good set of nominees...
Full list of nominees available here, in The Guardian, or on the official webpage.

Razzies are back in town

The Golden Raspberry Award, aka "Razzies" are what actors and filmmakers usually dread the most. It is the most unwelcome award that there is, but some, as for instance Sandra Bullock, show a lot of sense of humor and distance to her roles, by appearing at the Razzie ceremony. There are the obvious winners like Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Nicolas Cage or Ben Affleck, but lately, since there were so many movies in the saga, the fab duo Robert Pattinson - Kristen Stewart and their "movie" Twilight tend to get every Razzie there is. Interestingly enough, this year the movie has been nominated in every Razzie category, which makes chances of winning a few actual Razzies pretty high. Since I haven't seen the movie (in fact, just 20 minutes of the very first part), it is hard for me to judge. I think I'll take the Razzie Academy's word for the quality of performances. More from Indiewire.

BAFTA nominations 2013 announced

Today, on January 9th 2013, at "the ungodly hour" of 7.30 as "Empire" magazine calls it, the BAFTA nominations were announced. BAFTAs are one of my favorite awards, not only because they are British, but also, as I recently found out, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts is actually a charity that hosts annual  awards. BAFTA as the British Film Academy was founded in 1947 by David Lean, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed and others.
Usually the award ceremony takes place somewhere around the beginning of February, when the Berlinale also takes place. This year it will be February 10th at the Royal Opera House in London.
More from The Telegraph, The Guardian and full list here from the BAFTA's website.
Beside each nominated person or movie I put a mark to underline my own favorites for the awards. Some of the nominated films I have not yet seen, but they might be the most possible winners.

Bakery: Christmas Poppy Cake

Creme-de-la creme of all typical Polish Christmas cakes that includes yeast cake and ground poppy seed. It takes time and patience to wait for it to grow in a warm kitchen, under a linen cloth. It is not easy to make, but the flavor of success makes up for it. Try to follow the recipe, especially with the times that the cake has to be left aside and grow, and breathe. After baking, decorate it with a topping of your choice, mine are always with orange peel and icing. The cake stays fresh for a long time, as the poppy seed filling is moist and delicious, but frankly, it's so tasty that it wouldn't last more than three days, I grant that. And there are three medium-sized separate cakes out of this first recipe in Polish, available here and in English (for two rolls) here.

"Argo" - unexpectedly well directed political thriller

When the name "Ben Affleck" appear on the screen, one usually knows what to expect. Affleck as an actor does not really get many compliments. But when he decides to direct others - ah - that's a different story. His several other projects have brought him exactly to the place he is at right now. Praised and awarded, established, well-to-do, influential director - that's what he is, when promoting "Argo." The movie itself is a wonderful political thriller with solid background actors: magnificent John Goodman and Alan Arkin, along with Bryan Cranston, Tate Donovan and Scoot McNairy. Affleck plays the main character, but although his acting lacks passion and vigour, he doesn't spoil everything.
"Argo" is about a very imaginative covert operation led by the CIA in the beginning of 1980 in Tehran (Iran). Historians will remember that it was an extremely difficult time to be American and be there personally, as Shah Reza Pahlavi, supported by the US had to flee Iran and leave the spot for Ajatollah Khomeini - a religious and political leader. The hostage situation in an American embassy requires certain controversial actions from the CIA, and exfil agent Tony Mendez (Affleck) thinks of an ingenious plan to get the six escapees currently living in the house of Canadian ambassador out of Tehran safely. In order to do that, he establishes a hoax production of a B-class sci-fi movie called "Argo," that is supposed to be shot in locations around Tehran.
The movie is very enjoyable and thrilling to watch, although critics say it's rather nationalistic and one-sided. Of course it doesn't tell the whole story, it's just inspired by real events, but nevertheless one can sense the echoing of "All the President's Men" and "Munich," and that actually is the best recommendation there is.
My review here.

"After Lucia" - so close yet so far away

A very intimate, but brutal deconstruction of grief. After a tragedy consolation never really comes. It's just the way one wants to deal with the reality. Alejandra and her father Roberto can't really find things in common after the mother and wife is gone forever. They grow farther apart, leading separate lives. The new film directed by Michel Franco irritates because it shows that in times of trouble everyone is on their own. It irritates, because even being close to one another, it is impossible sometimes to notice there is something very much wrong.
"After Lucia" is a very powerful image of how one can actually deal with loss, but most importantly it's about how people hurt and get hurt. It's about the fault of the whole society that makes everyone very distant and cold, even  if a great tragedy is around the corner.
"After Lucia" is very difficult to grade. It's difficult to say whether it is a good or a bad film. It's shocking and very real at the same time. but extremely powerful.
One is for sure, you' ll feel bad after seeing it, but who knows, maybe also cleansed.
My review from filmnews.com.pl can be found here and below, in Polish.

Movies you wait for in 2013

There surely is a lot to wish for in the upcoming 2013, but certainly one of the most important things to wish is a bunch of great films. Stop wishing then and have a look at the list of movies that will have their premieres quite soon, presented by Total Film.

1. "Gangster Squad"
with Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn

Best dressed in 2012

It comes as no surprise that the Brits are called most fashionable in the world. It is really extremely difficult to find so stylish yet not over-dressed men anywhere else in the world. The trends of the season come from the Isles, and this is just a statement of facts. The 50 best dressed males are the essence of fashion, style and well-being. Best dressed, but also best groomed, and effortlessly. Below my favourite looks from Britain, there are some from the rest of the world, but admit it - they're anyway rather average. The list was prepared by GQ British Edition, one of the busiest magazine editions ever. Anywhere they turn, a new style is born.
The Top50 can be found here, but I've only chosen a few looks that I find particularly interesting. Not to mention the presenters.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson
A part of the year was his, due to his interpretation of Wronsky in "Anna Karenina." There, sporting a uniform, here, a smart suit. Both versions worth a nod.