The Last Family

  • 123'
  • Poland
  • 2016
In this unconventional portrait of Polish painter Zdzisław Beksiński (1929-2005), we hardly ever see him so much as pick up a brush. Some of his dystopian, surrealistic works are on display in his apartment, but this feature debut by director Jan P. Matuszyński concentrates more on this Polish cult hero’s family life than on his art. The focus is particularly on his neurotic son, Tomasz, whose violent outbursts and recurring suicidal tendencies constantly occupy Beksiński and his wife Zofia in this decade-spanning family saga.
Beksiński recorded virtually his entire life, starting in 1957 on audio tape, later also using photographs and video recordings. Matuszyński makes grateful use of these rich sources. The result is an at times documentary-like but nonetheless highly stylised film. Lead actor Andrzej Seweryn rightly won best actor award at the Locarno film festival for his dry, sardonic interpretation of Beksiński.
Director
Jan P. Matuszyński
Country of production
Poland
Year
2016
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
123'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Ostatnia rodzina
Language
Polish
Producers
Leszek Bodzak / Aurum Film, Aneta Hickinbotham / Aurum Film
Production Company
Aurum Film
Sales
New Europe Film Sales
Screenplay
Robert Bolesto
Cinematography
Kacper Fertacz
Editor
Przemysław Chruścielewski
Production Design
Jagna Janicka
Sound Design
Kacper Habisiak, Marcin Kasiński, Jarosław Bajdowski
Cast
Andrzej Seweryn, Dawid Ogrodnik, Aleksandra Konieczna, Andrzej Chyra
Website
http://neweuropefilmsales.com/movies/102
Director
Jan P. Matuszyński
Country of production
Poland
Year
2016
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
123'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Ostatnia rodzina
Language
Polish
Producers
Leszek Bodzak / Aurum Film, Aneta Hickinbotham / Aurum Film
Production Company
Aurum Film
Sales
New Europe Film Sales
Screenplay
Robert Bolesto
Cinematography
Kacper Fertacz
Editor
Przemysław Chruścielewski
Production Design
Jagna Janicka
Sound Design
Kacper Habisiak, Marcin Kasiński, Jarosław Bajdowski
Cast
Andrzej Seweryn, Dawid Ogrodnik, Aleksandra Konieczna, Andrzej Chyra
Website
http://neweuropefilmsales.com/movies/102