AMERICAN PREMIERE OF “SILVER” AT THE SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL IN LOS ANGELES
“Silver”, directed by Natalia Koniarz, has been selected for the Documentary Features Programme of the prestigious Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles, where it will receive its American premiere. This marks another significant step on the film’s international journey, which attracted considerable critical attention in Poland and abroad, earning numerous awards and commendations at last year’s Kraków Film Festival and the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival in the Czech Republic.
Slamdance occupies a unique position on the world map of independent cinema. Founded by filmmakers, it remains committed to championing uncompromising authorial voices. Over the years, the festival has recognised filmmakers such as Bong Joon-ho, Christopher Nolan, Lena Dunham, Rian Johnson, Ari Aster, and Sean Baker. This year’s edition of the festival will take place from February 20 to 26.
“Silver” takes viewers deep into Cerro Rico, the oldest silver mine in Bolivia – a site marked by centuries of violence and exploitation. In this underground world of silence and darkness, we discover reality through, among others, the perspectives of a boy, an experienced miner, and a woman. The film weaves together intimate personal stories with a broader reflection on colonial legacy and the mechanisms of exploitation that persist to this day, forming a moving tribute to memory and human endurance.
A crucial element of the film lies in the striking, tactile cinematography by Stanisław Cuske, which allows the viewer to almost physically feel the claustrophobic confines of the mine and the emotional weight of the miners’ extremely hazardous work. The story of Cerro Rico’s past becomes a key to understanding its present – a place the local community refers to as 'the mountain that devours people'.
“Silver” is a Polish–Finnish–Norwegian co-production. The Polish producer of the film is Maciej Kubicki (Telemark), while international festival distribution is handled by KFF Sales.
You can read more about the Slamdance Film Festival and the films selected for its programme right here.