New Polish Drama, IN THE NAME OF

Film Forum is proud to present the US theatrical premiere of a new Polish drama, IN THE NAME OF, beginning Wednesday, October 30. Written and directed by Malgośka Szumowska, it’s a moving tale of compassion, sexual longing, childhood trauma, and religious commitment.

Father Adam (Polish star Andrzej Chyra), an attractive, energetic priest, seems more comfortable in a T-shirt, kicking a soccer ball around with his young charges than preaching a sermon. Living in a halfway house type situation, away from the temptations that helped get them there in the first place, the residents of this societal limbo are put off-balance when a new punk enters the picture and starts spreading rumors about the priest’s sexuality. The boys’ casual, yet pervasive homophobia and anti-Semitism add to a complicated picture of a contemporary Poland very much in the thrall of both historical prejudices and newly-publicized modern transgressions.

Andrzej Chyra is one of Poland’s leading actors of both stage and screen. He has worked with Andrzej Wajda and Krzystof Zanussi, among many others. Director Malgośka Szumowska is a graduate of the Lodz Film School. She directed ELLES (2012) starring Juliette Binoche and her film 33 SCENES FROM LIFE won a Special Jury Prize at the Locarno Film Festival in 2008. She is married to one of the stars of IN THE NAME OF, Mateusz Kościukiewicz, who plays the young love interest of Father Adam.