Extras (Statyści)

Perceiving sadness in the faces of the locals in the Polish village where he is shooting an epic tragedy, an eccentric Chinese director calls for extras to lend authenticity and depth to his work. But when the town people show up in droves, they bring to their auditions much more than just gloomy countenances. These would-be extras are fully realized protagonists. There is Ms. Maria, a widow who takes great pride in the acting career of her son, a bit player in commercials. Another character named Gralewski is a photographer who happily practices his craft the old-fashioned way – he yearns for some good old-fashioned romance as well. And then there is Ela, who, along with her sister, runs both a sewing accessories shop and the town lottery. Orphaned and single, they live together and their future prospects are uncertain. As a series of surprising events unfolds on the set, cultural barriers and stereotypes give way to mutual understanding. Yet all along, director Michał Kwiecinski pointedly avoids the pitfalls of his fictional counterpart; never sacrificing character on the altar of theme, he (with the help of his ensemble cast) oversimplifies no one, but always humanizes all.