PAINTED BIRD, THE (2019)

Light is visible only in the dark

Based on the acclaimed Jerzy Kozinski novel, THE PAINTED BIRD is a meticulous 35mm black and white evocation of wild, primitive Eastern Europe at the bloody close of World War II. The film follows the journey of The Boy, entrusted by his persecuted parents to an elderly foster mother. The old woman soon dies and the Boy is on his own, wandering through the country-side, from village to farmhouse. As he struggles for survival, The Boy suffers through extraordinary brutality meted out by the ignorant, superstitious peasants and he witnesses the terrifying violence of the efficient, ruthless soldiers, both Russian and German. When the war ends, The Boy has been changed, forever.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 11 Colours of the Bird feature-length making-of documentary
• New audio commentary with writer and researcher Jonathan Owen
• New video interview with director Václav Marhul by Alci Rengifo and Sebastian Carrasco of the Breaking the 180 podcast
• The Painted Bird: A Video Essay by filmmaker Salvador Carrasco
• Booklet featuring new writing by film critic and programmer Anton Bitel