“THE PAWNSHOP” WINS MARSEILLE FESTIVAL
Łukasz Kowalski's winning streak continues. This time his documentary took the International Festival of Music and Cinema in Marseille by storm and left it with two of its most important awards.
Established in 1999, MUSIC & CINEMA – Festival International du Film à Marseille is a unique event for fans of two artistic worlds. Its program features more than 250 films every year, attracts 500 industry professionals, and is attended by over 25 thousand visitors hungry for great cinema and good music.
This year, Łukasz Kowalski's The Pawnshop was invited to participate in the festival. The film was recognized as the best production, and the award for best composer went to Krzysztof Aleksander Janczak, responsible for the music for the winning documentary
It's a moving, humorous story about people who fight for their own survival while helping those in even greater need. Jola and Wiesiek are a couple of eccentric businesspeople from Bytom. Together with three employees, they run what is probably the largest pawnshop in Europe. However, it's well past its prime due to mines closing in the vicinity and rising unemployment. With less and less means to live, the citizens of the “Polish Detroit” try to pawn increasingly obscure and useless items. Wiesiek's crazy marketing stunts do little to help the failing business and neither does Jola's tender heart, who supports their customers not only with a good word but also with hot soup or a warm jacket. Although the pawnshop brings losses, it becomes an important spot for the local community. Soon, however, it starts teetering on the verge of bankruptcy, putting Jola and Wiesiek's relationship to the test. In the face of impending disaster, the owners will make one last attempt to save their business and love.
You can find all the necessary information about the festival here.