The award for exceptional artistic contribution in the Perspektywy competition of the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia was awarded posthumously to Maciej Damięcki for his role in the film “Cisza nocna” directed by Bartosz M. Kowalski. The award was received on behalf of their father by his children – Matylda and Mateusz.
For the first time in the history of the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia, the Perspektywy competition was launched to recognize new, young Polish filmmakers. It included eight films, seven of which were feature-length directorial debuts and one was the second feature-length film.
Along with the competition, a new prize was created: Sapphire Lions for the best film in this section. The statuette was awarded to the creators of the film “Rzeczy Necessary”, including its director Kamila Tarabura. The regulations also allow the jurors to award an award for an exceptional artistic contribution made to one of the competition films. The jury, composed of: Janusz Zaorski (chairman), Maria Blicharska and Maciek Bochniak, awarded this award to Maciej Damięcki for the main role in Bartosz M. Kowalski's film “Cisza nocna”.
Actor Maciej Damięcki died on November 17 last year, and his role in “Silent Night” turned out to be the last in his career. The creators of the horror film decided to dedicate the film to the deceased actor. During Saturday's gala, the award was received on behalf of Damięcki by his children: Matylda and Mateusz.
Matylda spoke first, thanking those “whom Dad would like to thank.” – Marta Kownacka (casting director of this film – ed.) – thank you very much. Thank you for inventing my dad. I hope that one day you will stand here and receive the award, because you deserve it very much – said Damięcka, holding back tears of emotion.
– And probably, if dad was standing here, he would say: Asiczek, this award also belongs to you, the agent's wife. And it was thanks to my mother that all the casting recordings actually took place, she continued.
“I have the impression that dad is somewhere to the side, that he smells like that”
Her brother, Mateusz, addressed words of gratitude to the director and producer of “Silent Night”, adding that his father really liked coming to their film set. The actor reminded the audience that as filmmakers, they believe that films give immortality. – I would also like to encourage everyone who has not yet seen “Silent Night” to watch it. Because the more people see this film, the more people will make our dad simply immortal – he said.
Mateusz Damięcki confessed that before coming to the gala he put on the perfume his father used. – Sometimes, when I do it in the morning, I am aware of it, but then, at the end of the day, when the wind blows, I have the impression that dad is somewhere to the side, that he smells like that – he confessed.
– I believe that somewhere in a parallel world, dad is now receiving the award he truly deserved and would probably say, “very cool.” Well, that's brilliant, added Damięcka.
Main photo source: FPFF in Gdynia