CAPO wins the Arthouse Cinema Award at the Polish Film Festival Gdynia • CICAE

At the 50th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia (Poland), Capo by Robert Kwilman received the Arthouse Cinema Award by the CICAE jury, distinguishing the most exceptional directorial debut or second film among the Main and Perspective competitions.

The jury, formed by Gregor Janežič (Kulturni dom Cerknica, Cerknica, Slovenia), Björn Olofsson (Folkets Bio Regina, Östersund, Sweden) and Sabine Putorti (Institut de l'Image, Aix-en-Provence, France) stated as following:

"The CICAE Prize is awarded to a film that combines strong artistic dimension with the defense of common values across Europe.

The jury has decided to give the award to CAPO, directed by Robert Kwilman. We especially appreciated the documentary-style approach and the direction of actors. The characters are well-developed, and the actors are given rich, engaging roles to bring to life.

We particularly value the cinematography, which enhances the film’s realism and evokes strong emotions, reinforcing both the story and its impact.

We believe the film has significant audience potential across many countries. Its subject — the treatment of migrant workers in conditions akin to slavery — is universal and deeply relevant."

A story inspired by the accounts of people entangled in a recruitment agency’s deceitful activities that took place in 2020. We meet the protagonist, Adrian, a dedicated employee from Latin America who lives and works in Poland. When a new group of migrants arrives at his workplace, Adrian’s position at the company becomes unstable and he faces a difficult choice. An accident at work forces him to confront the harsh truth hidden behind the promises and lies he has been fed ever since he came to Poland.

Directed by: Robert Kwilman

Written by: Robert Kwilman, Malwina Górecka, Kirk Kjeldsen

Cinematography: Kasper Lorek

Editor: Ming-Wei Chiang

Cast: Beatriz Blanco, Daniel Vasquez, Aleksandra Herrera, Josiana Costales, Ivan Sharan, Sebastian Stankiewicz, Michał Balicki, Victor Venecia Fuentes, Gerson Isai Lam López

Production:

The CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award was conceived as an impetus for a film to have a wider recognition as a work of art and to stand as a mark of quality for cinema-goers and cinephiles.