Skrzyżowanie is a new feature film with the legendary Jan Englert in the leading role. It was also awarded a Young FIPRESCI award during this year’s Warsaw Film Festival. 

Dominika Montean Pańków’s sombre impostor of a Greek tragedy commences with a family dinner. It’s an idyll led by the head of this happy ménage, Tadeusz (Englert), who seems like he got everything he had always wanted: beloved wife, Helena (Anna Romantowska), decent son, Marek (Michał Czernecki), and wonderful granddaughter (Martyna Byczkowska). It’s a dream-come-true situation for many frustrated men his age in Poland. However, for Tadeusz, it’s only a facade, which will fall after the tragic car crash on the main “skrzyżowanie” (ENG: crossing). When he accidentally kills a young motorcyclist, something inexplicable changes in Tadeusz. Suddenly, he is no longer eager to live in harmony with the family’s main foundation: its subdued lies. 

Englert proves he is one of the most gifted actors of his generation, as it’s difficult to pigeonhole his Tadeusz into any male (or father figure) film stereotype. He’s grieving, but he doesn’t feel responsible for the accident on the eponymous crossing. He’s stubborn and proud, but there is a sense of humility deeply inside of him. He apparently loves his wife and the rest of the family, but at the same time, Tadeusz despises his relatives and treats most of them with this predatory fang, which takes the form of his inner envy. Tadeusz’s unexpected (and virulent) remarks towards his family hurt them just like tiny daggers slowly stabbing some innocent hearts. 

Tadeusz is more than anything we think about him at the very beginning. Yet, Skrzyżowanie doesn’t give us any expected answers that might allow us to interpret his behaviour. Instead, we’re only left with images, which we will need to decode on our own. This is why we still digest Tadeusz’s role after the final credits, as in this film equation Englert’s performance is much more profound than one could have only imagined. 

In Skrzyżowanie, Tadeusz reminds us of a biblical figure. Here, he is going through his penance not only for the accident, but also for every mistake by which he has ever hurt someone else. Besides, Tadeusz no longer has an acceptance for all the untruths deeply rooted in him and his closest ones. This is why he will go to war with his entire family, only to live peacefully: to be able to look in the mirror without any regrets. It’s a film premise you shouldn’t miss by any chance.

Jan Tracz

4/5 stars