A sun-drenched Renaissance palace. Three women exist in an airy state of suspension, a liminal, responsibility-free bubble, where summer never ends. An enigmatic system fulfills all their needs – providing food, entertainment and a daily routine focused on wellness affirmations. There’s just one rule: they are forbidden to cross the surrounding wall. Soon, cracks begin to appear in this idyllic picture: using a “touch language” – as some things can’t be said out loud, secretly practicing how to die, which is supposed to be their ticket to “another place”. Long-suppressed anger and a desperate need to escape emerge. Will the girls, raised in a state of perpetual immaturity, manage to break free from the boundaries enforced by the system?
Directors: Helena Ganjalyan, Bartosz Szpak:
A multi-disciplinary, dynamic directors duo based in Warsaw. Helena is a graduate of the Academy of Theater Arts St. Wyspianski in Krakow, Bartek graduated from the Lodz Film School. For many years, they have been working simultaneously in various creative fields – they both have acting education and experience, Helena’s background is also theater direction, choreography and photography, and Bartek’s music composition and directing audio productions. ‘Glorious Summer’ is their debut feature film. Apart from developing longer forms they also direct commercials and music videos. Whether it’s through their sense of humor or their ability to craft exceptional atmospheres, Helena and Bartek always seek to create visually striking and self contained universes. Their creative process is characterized by attention to detail, precise planning and searching for the best visual form for the stories told. Their work recognizes the extraordinary in the ordinary – always with a human story at its core – realistic or abstract.
Producers: Maria Gołoś, Monika Matuszewska
Screenwriters: Helena Ganjalyan, Bartosz Szpak
Cinematographer: Tomasz Woźniczka
Editor: Alan Zejer
Production Designer: Katarzyna Tomczyk
Sound Designer: Marcin Jachyra, Maciej Amilkiewicz
Music: Bartosz Szpak
Principal Cast: Magdalena Fejdasz-Hanczewska, Helena Ganjalyan, Daniela Komędera, Weronika Humaj
Co-financed by: Polish Film Institute
