Dfter Paola Cortellesi, Kasia Smutniak also makes her directorial debut. The actress of Polish origin was driven more by a human issue than a professional one. His documentary Murwhich premiered at Rome Film Festival and in theaters from today, he talks about his Poland and that steel wall that runs for 186 kilometers along the border with Belarus.
A barrier built to repel migrants who attempt to enter the European Union in search of refuge. Kasia together with local activists he travels from his grandmother’s house to the forbidden area to film and see with his own eyes that steel horror of which there were no photos.
Mur: the plot
An emotional need drove Kasia Smutniak to direct his first documentary. In 2022 it explodes the war in Ukraine and thousands of refugees tried to cross the Polish border to take refuge. From that moment the government of Mateusz Morawiecki Europe’s longest wall has begun to be built to prevent migrants from crossing the border.
The military forced the migrants to remain stuck for weeks in a strip of land a few hundred meters wide immersed in the forest, regardless of the climatic conditions. Kasia, with a backpack on her shoulder, a cameraman friend Marella (also a screenwriter) and the help of local activists he goes as far as the red zone to film the 186 kilometer long wall. A journey through the woods, by car and on foot, between police checkpoints, moments of real danger and memories that date back to the actress’s childhood, when from the window of the Grandma’s house he saw another wall, that of the Jewish cemetery.
Kasia Smutniak: «Dividing people leads to consequences that our children will pay»
«Sometimes when you don’t live in your hometown you feel guilty – he says Kasia Smutniak – my parents told me: you can’t understand what happens here if you don’t live here. I was the privileged one in the family. At first when I went into those woods with Diego Bianchi I didn’t intend to make a documentary, then it was born inside me the need to lend a hand through the medium of storytelling. I wanted to dedicate myself to what I felt inside, also taking some risks.”
Kasia Smutniak on the red carpet of “Mur”. (Getty Images)
«When I heard about the construction of this wall and that women, men and children were dying there seemed absurd to me – comments the actress – I was thinking of a welcoming and open Europe, but instead it followed a trend: the whole world is moving towards closure. The wall (completed construction in summer 2022 ed.) served no purpose, did not prevent people from entering Poland and caused an environmental disaster. Dividing peoples leads to precise dramatic consequencesand what is happening now in Israel demonstrates this: It’s not us who will pay, but our children».
Kasia Smutniak in a still image from “Mur”. (Fosforo press office)
Smutniak: «I have often been underestimated»
The actress, and now director, came away changed from that experience. And who knows, maybe his artistic path will take a new path. «I don’t know if these issues will continue to run through my head – she says – for sure I will devote my energy to stories worth telling».
Women’s voices are becoming increasingly important. Also Paola Cortellesi he made his directorial debut, as well as Micaela Ramazzotti. «We are experiencing a time of change. I am has often been underestimated and even in this case someone thought I couldn’t make the documentary. The fact of being a woman and also an actress led to her lowering her guard.” Wrongly.
The elections in Poland could be an example for other countries
The recent political elections in Poland they marked a change of direction for the country with the victory of the pro-European coalition and saw 74% of the population participate in the vote. A historical fact that surpasses that of 1989 when Walesa was elected. «Hmany women and young people voted – comments Kasia – Poland has woken upI hope it is a first sign of change and that also infects other European countries.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED