The Film O’Clock International Festival team is excited to announce the Romanian-language launch of the Celluloid Solidarity podcast, a series of five monologue-style narrative episodes created based on in-depth interviews with some of the most interesting contemporary Polish filmmakers, recognized and awarded at numerous film festivals. The creators had the opportunity to discuss their artistic vision, working methods, films, and what solidarity means to them.

This project is part of the Solidarity on Screen – Polish Presidency Film Review initiative and was created by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of the cultural program of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2025.
The podcast is hosted by Serbian film critic, essayist, author, and translator Nikola Radić, who provides commentary to help listeners better understand the context in which the films were made and appreciate their artistic qualities.

The Romanian launch will be celebrated through a special online event, a warm-up for Film O’Clock International Festival #5, taking place on Wednesday, March 26, at 19:00 Romanian time – 18:00 Central European Time, streamed live on the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FilmOClockIFF.

The online event will bring together Polish filmmakers Zuzanna Solakiewicz, Hanna Nobis, and Hanna Polak, alongside podcast host Nikola Radić and Romanian filmmaker and critic Ion Indolean, in a discussion moderated by festival director Mirona Radu. They will talk about the power of cinema to build emotional bridges and promote solidarity on multiple levels, emphasizing the essential role of art in overcoming cultural differences and creating a common space for understanding. Solidarity, translated into cinematic art, becomes a tool for empathy and reflection on the challenges faced by contemporary societies, with film, through its universal language, inviting us to listen to each other, turning every story into an opportunity to deeply understand life and the world we live in, inspiring positive change.

Ion Indolean, film director, lecturer at Babeș-Bolyai University, and programmer at TIFF, will highlight the state of contemporary Romanian cinema in dialogue with Polish cinema, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities in promoting solidarity through film.

This event will be an opportunity to explore and understand how cinema can play an active role in promoting the value of solidarity, a crucial topic in a world that is increasingly connected yet divided by conflicts and inequalities.

Event details:
📅 Date: March 26, 2025
⏰ Time: 19:00 (Romanian time)
📍 Online – live stream on the Film O’Clock International Festival Facebook page

The discussion will be held in English.

About the Podcast Episodes:

Each episode in the Celluloid Solidarity series focuses on a key topic in cinema, exploring various forms of solidarity:

1. Solidarity with the Environment – The Soil, directed by Zuzanna Solakiewicz

Zuzanna Solakiewicz explores the lives of rural women and how traditions and the rhythms of nature blend with environmental solidarity. Her documentary reflects on the importance of traditional songs and the close connection between humans and nature.

2. Solidarity with History – Scarnborn / Kos, directed by Paweł Maślona

Paweł Maślona discusses his approach to the historical film about Tadeusz Kościuszko, exploring the tensions between creating an authentic historical narrative and contemporary political influences. He reflects on how his film becomes a mirror to current realities.

3. Solidarity with the Community – Polish Prayers, directed by Hanna Nobis

Hanna Nobis presents the complex portrait of Antek, a character who unexpectedly transitions from right-wing conservatism to metropolitan liberalism. This character serves as a springboard for a discussion on building a value system, maturity, loyalty, and solidarity toward friends, family, and oneself. This episode also delves into the cooperation between the documentary filmmaker and the protagonist and the process of building mutual trust.

4. Sisterhood – Angels of Sinjar, directed by Hanna Polak

Hanna Polak discusses the Yazidi genocide and how her documentary film portrays the experiences of women and men affected by this tragedy. She details her filmmaking methods and the importance of educating the public about tragedies that have long been ignored.

5. Solidarity Between Humans – In the Rearview, directed by Maciej Hamela

Maciej Hamela shares how his documentary captures the testimonies of those affected by the war in Ukraine, discussing the ethics of making a film during an active conflict and the personal impact of humanitarian aid experience.