Cannes. Religia kina is a collection of Sobolewski’s reviews, essays and interviews, all written over twenty years of the critic’s visits to Cannes, the most secular church in the entire world. 

Agora decided to publish a collection of Sobolewski’s Cannes writing, the leading film critic of Gazeta Wyborcza in the last couple of years. Reading Sobolewski’s coverage from each year allows us to learn about Cannes’ history and learn how it has changed at the turn of the century. Sobolewski implies that it is an event defined by its people: when generations change, the profile of the festival somewhat modifies. We can find materials from 1994 to 2019, as Sobolewski’s trips were abruptly stopped by COVID-19 and then Parkinson’s disease.

Through all of his pieces, Sobolewski focuses on actors, directors, screenwriters and film crews. He’s interested in the human factor, which heavily influences art, the moving image.

Sobolewski’s writing reminds us of the so-called “old school” of writing when being at the film festival wasn’t enough. Today, film journalism is based on your presence at the event, with no academic background or cinema knowledge required. One can tell that in the XXI century, everyone can become a “film critic”, as the Internet became a self-centred platform for new users and their unfulfilled egos. 

Sobolewski’s book is a negation of all those new rules. His style’s foundation is deeply rooted in his erudition, one that refers not only to film, but also to politics, culture, art and literature. His reviews allow us to find out something more about the titles, while also learning something through a broader scope. 

It’s a treat not only for cinephiles, but also for everyone who has never been to the Cannes Film Festival and would love to learn about all its nooks and crannies. Every review gives us another insight. And, as a-matter-of-factly, it’s a remarkable page-turner. You don’t have to know each film to read the piece. Sobolewski’s book confronts you with his opinions or persuades you to catch up on the cinema from the last 25 years. 

Photo: Franciszek Mazur, Agencja Wyborcza.pl

5/5 stars

Author: Jan Tracz